Build a personal strategy for a time of systemic disruption.

We have entered a new era of instability — ecological, economic, political, and institutional — but most of us are still trying to plan our lives with old tools from a more stable past.

This Workshop offers you the tools you need today. It is not a lecture about climate science, lifestyle changes, or political activism. Instead it trains you in using a proven system for building a rugged decision-making framework ready for times of increasing stress and disruption.

In eight live sessions, you’ll learn a step-by-step process for getting clear-headed, prepared and effective as systems destabilize. You’ll leave with a personal climate strategy to guide you through the coming critical life decisions you face.

The next Workshop begins on February 12th and general enrollment opens soon! Get yourself on the Early Notification list and receive a personal invitation with access to special Early-Bird pricing:
Please send me an early invite!

THE PLANETARY CRISIS HAS SHIFTED GEARS

Over the last few years, we've crossed many of the very thresholds climate advocates fought for decades to avoid: global heat records shattering, floods costing billions of dollars, wildfires intensifying, ice sheets breaking up, crops failing, droughts spreading. Many climate impacts are arriving sooner than expected and combining to be worse than forecast.

Society, though, has failed to respond at the same pace. Emissions are still rising. Climate adaptation planning is slow and underfunded. Local governments are overwhelmed. Whole nations are rolling back their climate promises and cutting disaster aid. Economists and business leaders warn that continued delay brings financial instability and risks to the economic futures of whole regions.

Worse still, we see a swelling "brittleness bubble" of overvalued, climate-endangered homes and assets -- a bubble that looks bound to burst.

Of course, we face all this in a time of authoritarian attacks on democracy and geopolitical chaos.

Add it all together, and we are living through the most rapid planetary destabilization humans have ever experienced. Even the best advice from 10 or 20 years ago is now simply out of date.

THE PLANETARY CRISIS WILL DEFINE YOUR FUTURE

If you're like most informed, engaged, successful people, you know this crisis is real -- but you've also seen it as something happening elsewhere, to other people. An issue to track, not a context to reckon with.

Now, the chaos is all around us. It's the wildfire smoke turning your skies hazy orange, the sudden increase in your insurance premiums, the battered infrastructure and flooded roads that turn your commute into a gamble. It's your retirement investments taking a climate hit. Your kids seeking reassurance and guidance. Your community struggling to recover after heavy weather.

The crisis is not an issue, we find, but an era.

And this is only the beginning. We thought we had time. We're discovering we don't -- that later is too late.

YOUR FUTURE IS NOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

We're all now on a collision course with planetary reality.

We're not heading into a linear, manageable transition. We're facing cascading failures, converging disasters, and compounding brittleness risks. We're in a discontinuity, and past expertise and experience are poor guides to what's coming.

No one is ready. You can't count on governments (or advocacy groups or churches or charities or anyone else around you) to protect your home, defend the systems you depend on and secure your future.

You'll need to act before bold government rescue plans, or climate-adaptation megaprojects, or large-scale supported relocation programs get up and running -- because in many places, they may not be coming.

If you want to be ready, you have to make yourself ready, and time is not on your side.

YOU FACE FIERCE COMPETITION FOR THE FUTURE YOU WANT

This crisis will be life-changing for many millions of us.

As this fact grows obvious and undeniable, more and more people are scrambling for security, for safer places and sturdier communities.

Where we plant ourselves as the chaos intensifies is one of the most questions of our lifetimes. Nowhere is completely safe and no system is completely stable -- but some places are a lot safer and more stable than others. In relatively safe places, we can build relatively successful and secure lives; in brittle, vulnerable places, we probably can't.

Here's the harsh truth, though: there's not enough relative safety to go around. 

We face a closing climate relocation bottleneck, as more and more worried people scramble for a shrinking supply of places that can offer a durable future.

Not everyone will get the future they deserve.

SUCCESS DEMANDS A STRATEGY

To get the future you deserve, you need a strategy. Specifically, you need a life strategy for making smart choices in unprecedented circumstances — what I call a personal climate strategy.

The discontinues of climate chaos will impact every aspect of your life -- your family's security and health; your career and household finances; your community and civic life; your investments and retirement planning. And, of course, each of us has unique circumstances and different goals.

A good strategy will prepare you to: 

  • Protect your loved ones and help those who depend on you.
  • Honor your values and choices.
  • Support healthy and sensible decision-making.
  • Navigate cascading risks to identify relative safety.
  • Build the life you want on solid ground.
  • Thrive in the process.

The cornerstone of all good personal climate strategies is personal ruggedization.

That means making smart decisions about where we choose to live, the systems we embed ourselves in, and the ways we work with others to improve our odds of a good future.

It's intelligent, purpose-driven engagement with deep uncertainties. It's how we build ourselves a home on a planet none of us have ever seen before.

Forget survivalism. Personal ruggedization isn't about buying more guns, bugging out or bunkering down. Instead, it focuses on serving what matters most to us, using reality-based strategies that nurture optionality, resilience, and social connection.

The good news? You can learn how to build a strategy based on personal ruggedization. Now's your chance.

I TEACH PERSONAL CLIMATE STRATEGIES

I'm Alex Steffen.

I began teaching personal climate strategy courses five years ago because everywhere I went, I met people asking what they could do in their own lives for their own families, now that a massive climate crisis was unavoidable.

At conferences, in emails from readers of my newsletters, even at the neighborhood barbecue, people took me aside and asked me what advice I could give them.

I'd been providing bespoke individual consultations for years, so I was familiar with the kinds of questions people have about their futures now. I also knew that I could use my 30 years of experience working at the forefront of the planetary crisis to help people prepare for what's coming.

Climate foresight is my job. I've framed insights used by innovative companies, governments, and foundations around the world. I've advised global leaders. I created the best-selling book Worldchanging. I've presented my thinking at the United Nations, dozens of leading universities  and major conferences, including to TED Global talks viewed more than 4 million times. Currently, I am the editor of the climate foresight newsletter The Snap Forward, and host of the podcast When We Are.

I've designed this Workshop to train participants in my system for building personal climate strategies, offering some of the best actionable climate foresight in the world at a fraction of the cost of buying individual advice from corporate consultants.

I'm grateful and honored that since that first course, more than 500 amazing individuals from around the world have worked with me to build their own climate strategies.

I've spent more than three decades on the frontlines of the climate crisis, consulted with major institutions, and shared my climate foresight on stages and in leading publications around the world:

The New York Times Magazine
IDEO
PBS News Hour
The Atlantic
South by Southwest

THE BOTTOM LINE: THIS WORKSHOP WORKS

My eight-class personal climate strategy workshop — the only one of its kind — is your opportunity to work directly with me. Together, we’ll build the foundation for your personal climate strategy.

You’ll learn how to anchor the life you’ve built —your career, your family, your goals — on ground that can stand firm in the storms ahead and position you for success.

Imagine being able to:

• Focus your energy on what (and who) matters most

• Understand the key forces shaping your risks — the patterns behind the chaos

• Use foresight tools to assess and manage future disruptions

• Make decisions grounded in clarity, prudence, informed intuition, and measured optimism, not panic

• Build a personal roadmap for smart, timely action that works for you.

Whether you’re preparing to relocate, climate-proofing your retirement, ruggedizing your home, pivoting your business, or simply trying to get ahead of the curve, you’ll come away with a robust strategy, tailored to your life. 

That strategy is designed not just to protect you, but to preserve your ability to support others and contribute meaningfully as conditions change.

WHAT YOU'LL GET IN THE PCSW:

✅  Eight in-depth talks and group discussions — delivered live by Alex Steffen

>> FOR THE COMPLETE SYLLABUS, CLICK HERE: Personal Climate Strategy Workshop Syllabus (Winter 2026).pdf

✅  A 90-minute Wrap-Up Discussion

✅  Breakthrough frameworks for creating big-picture clarity, not false certainty

✅  Personal Climate Strategy prompts to guide reflection

✅  Curated readings and essential resource guide

✅  Invitation to the Personal Climate Exploration Group (an alumni-only working group)

✅  Access to expert consulting (50% off)

✅ Lifetime access to class recordings, and to future updates to course materials

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY:

Scores of participants have told me this Workshop has made a powerful difference in their lives. Families have moved away from danger and started new lives in new communities. People have changed careers, made smarter investments, improved retirement plans, and returned to civic engagement with renewed purpose.

Above all, participants report feeling more grounded, more capable, and more confident in their ability to make decisions—and help others do the same. Action toward ruggedization is the antidote to climate despair. Climate foresight is the key to successful action.

“Alex Steffen’s course could save your money, your sanity, maybe even your life. At a time when the stability of systems we’ve taken for granted over our lifetimes is shifting beneath our feet in real time --- from insurance and housing to healthcare – due to escalating climate threats, what can you do to face climate reality with savviness and knowledge, so you can make the right decisions for you and your family, think about your investments and possible migrations wisely, using the latest data and insights? If you’re not yet asking these questions, you’re not paying attention. Alex Steffen will change the way you think about planning for your future.”

Dr. Britt Wray, author of Generation Dread and Director of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry

“For anyone interested in personally preparing yourself and your family for climate change impacts, boy do I have a great recommendation for you… Last year I took his intensive 6-week course, and it was one of the most impactful learning experiences I’ve had on any topic in the last decade. … All you have to believe is that the future is likely to be more risky and uncertain, whether from climate change or just natural disasters, political instability, social unrest, armed conflict, economic or supply chain disruption, etc. Heck, you could completely disbelieve climate change is happening at all, and this course would still be transformational because its focus is on preparing you and your family and community for a wide range of potential scenarios, whatever those might be. [He] completely dismantles typical “prepper” advice, showing how fundamentally misguided it is for almost any future scenario (the actual best way to prepare is completely counter-intuitive). Most of all, the students and community that are part of Steffen’s courses are simply phenomenal. Thoughtful, wise, accomplished but also empathetic people, many of whom are playing active roles in shaping policy, economics, planning, and business. Alex addresses a remarkable range of holistic topics, from the all-important choice of where to locate yourself, to the psychological mindset shifts needed, to basic provisioning and preparing for utility interruption, to adapting your career, finances, and business for likely future changes. I ‘10 out of 10’ recommend you check this one out.”

Tiago Forte, Forte Labs

“Alex Steffen's course gives such helpful frames to think about what’s coming. There is a deluge of climate information - much of it alarming. Figuring out what it means for you personally is hard. Yet each of us is already being impacted by climate change and that will only escalate. Alex has been immersed in this space for decades. This course is a synthesis of his expertise, designed to help people navigate the noise of climate forecasts to make better decisions about a highly uncertain future.”

Pip Wheaton, Climate Leadership practitioner, Wellington Aotearoa/New Zealand

“Through Alex's course, my partner and I gained invaluable insight about what's going on and how to evaluate which factors are most important for our family as we navigate these difficult changes. We also felt excited and empowered to take action. Alex shared illustrative examples of places around the world where people are taking the climate crisis as an opportunity to greatly improve quality of life. Thanks to Alex's course, our family took decisive action and moved to a new city. We love our new home. We've jumped right in to work alongside our neighbors who are already ruggedizing the city. There's much to do. We are so grateful that Alex helped us quickly identify the important factors to consider and set us on a path for being better prepared to care for ourselves, our neighbors and all in our city and wider region. Alex Steffen's personal ruggedization course was life-changing for us, and absolutely worth our investment of money and time. ”

Maia

“Over the years sometimes you find visionaries that create a whole new paradigm of thinking, like Noah Yuval Hairi with Sapiens or Peter Senge with Systems Thinking or John Elkington with TBL, now Alex Steffen is doing the same with his Snap Forward vision. For too long the climate discussion has only been focused on mitigation with the need for ruggedization never really being addressed. For the most part, the typical advice for people on the personal level says to drive an EV, fly less, and eat less meat (all important levers btw) but doesn't really get people prepared for adapting to the unprecedented disruptions ahead. When all the others are just talking about what systems-collapse or planetary crisis looks like, Alex's work already gives you a framework on how to navigate it with confidence and with the clear possibility of creating a thriving and hardened future for you, your loved ones, and the communities you serve.”

Justin D'Atri, Group Sustainability Transformation Lead at Zurich Insurance

“The Ruggedization course offered by Alex Steffen has changed the way I think about my work in climate change engagement and communications. It has opened up novel routes to talking about both climate risks and the potential of climate action. On a personal level, It stimulated a new level of thinking about personal and family contexts in terms of risk assessment, planning and adaptation activities. The course raised multiple and diverse issues of vital importance to us all. It was an opportunity to educate myself both for my own interests but also in the context of talking to others about these important issues. I am an academic, climate communications specialists and climate activist; this course met the needs of all of those 'personas'.”

Liz Gladin, Climate & Biodiversity Communications Consultant

“In light of the most recent IPCC report, I would recommend Alex's ruggedization course to anyone who plans to live on this planet after 2030. You will acquire a strategic framework to approach personal life decisions in the face of uncertainty, as well as a helpful lens through which to view and evaluate current events and policy decisions. I have gained valuable perspective to help my family and I not just survive, but thrive through the anthropocene.”

Participant

“After nearly 20 years working in sustainability—and having followed Alex Steffen’s work even longer—I finally took his Personal Climate Strategy Workshop. To put it simply: it’s the most valuable climate foresight training I’ve ever taken. ...Alex is one of the few people helping others build the skill set to plan with sound strategy and some actual confidence for a changing world. The biggest impact for me: climate change stopped feeling abstract and started feeling like something I could strategically navigate. My rating: ★★★★★ One of the most insightful, actionable workshops I’ve taken.”

Justus Stewart, Writer "Climate Quitter," Seattle, WA

Workshop Outline & Key Details

🌐 Content Delivery: Alex will deliver eight in-depth presentations via Zoom. Each call will be approximately 75 minutes long. 

🌐 Call Topics: Alex will lay the foundation with big picture context setting, then zoom in to laser focus on what you need to know and consider when making your personal climate strategy. 

Calls will cover Living in a Time of Discontinuity, Understanding the Triangle of Brittleness, Identifying Better Locations Before the Rush, Building Your Strategy and Building Momentum to Act.

>> Please click here for the full Workshop Syllabus: Personal Climate Strategy Workshop Syllabus (Winter 2026).pdf

🌐 Class Dates & Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm - 1:15pm Pacific. 

Class dates: February 12, 17, 19, 24, 26; March 3, 5, 10.

🌐 Bonus Call with Alex: There will be a 90 minute Wrap-Up Discussion call on March 12th.

🌐 Follow at Your Own Pace: All calls are recorded and recordings will be shared with participants following each call. It's ok if you can't make every call. You may revisit the recordings for as long as Alex is running online courses.

Workshop Bonuses

  • Personal Climate Strategy Laser Prompts & Exercises

    With each class, you will be given 3-5 thoughtful writing prompts to help clarify your thinking so that you can focus on what (and who) really matters, and strengthen the climate foresight skills needed to make smart decisions in a time of discontinuity. These are some of the same questions and exercises Alex has used to sharpen his own thinking and plan for his family. Now, he's sharing them with you.

  • Curated Readings and Essential Resource Guide

    There is a LOT of information to wade through out there, and you don't need another "Top Climate Havens" article. That's why Alex provides his curated short-list of key readings, podcasts, and other resources to help deepen your understanding and guide your decision-making.

  • Access to expert consulting with Alex Steffen

    All participants will gain access to Alex's private consulting calendar and a 50% discount on a 50 minute consultation.

FAQs

  • Is this course designed for people outside of the U.S.?

    Yes! While many of the examples and maps are from a U.S. context, Alex has traveled extensively for years, and can toggle contexts easily. The most important insights are universal. His classes and courses have been taken by people across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, India, Kenya, Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand.

  • I can't make all the classes, are they recorded?

    Every call is recorded and shared with participants. We have had many participants follow this class at their own pace via the recordings (but we do encourage you to attend live!).

  • Do I have to be a climate expert or work in a climate job for this to make sense?

    Though many participants work in climate-related fields and businesses, the course starts from the basics and builds systemic understanding from there. No special knowledge is needed to benefit, and a list of resources for further learning is provided.

  • What are the session dates & times?

    There are eight live classes, followed by a group Wrap-Up Discussion Call. We will meet on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm - 1:15pm Pacific Time. All calls are recorded and recordings will be shared following each class.

    The next cohort begins on February 12, 2026! Class dates are: February 12, 17, 19, 24, 26; March 3, 5, 10. Bonus Wrap-Up Discussion call on March 12.

  • Who is likely to benefit most?

    You’ll get the most out of this workshop if you:

    ✔️ Want a strategic, big-picture approach to life planning in the context of climate change
    ✔️ Hope to turn uncertainty into actionable decisions
    ✔️ Are ready to do the work — reflect, engage, and revise your plans
    ✔️ See this as long-term personal investment, not a quick how-to webinar
    ✔️ Value frameworks over checklists

  • Who might get less out of it?

    It may be less valuable if you:

    ❌ Want simple answers and quick solutions without deep thinking
    ❌ Prefer highly tactical "how-to" steps (like prepping checklists)
    ❌ Aren't ready to engage with strategic frameworks and long-range thinking
    ❌ Are looking for a purely scientific or policy-oriented climate course

  • What if I decide this course isn’t right for me?

    We want you to have a great experience. We also value your investment of time and resources. If, after the 1st live call, you truly believe that the course is not right for you, you have until 5:00pm Pacific on February 16th to email your request to [email protected] for a 90% refund.

  • Will Alex be able to tell me exactly where to move and when?

    The truth is that there is no simple formula out there, and no expert who will be able to hand you this answer (at least not a very good answer). Everyone's circumstances and needs are highly unique. While Alex can share his suggestions and perspective, this Workshop is really designed to help you become better equipped and more adept at making solid decisions about complex issues, and to be able to adapt your thinking over time (a necessary skill in a time of discontinuity).

Ruggedize your life. Secure your future. Strategize success.

You’re not just preparing for yourself—you’re preparing to guide others who will look to you when things go wrong. After you've participated in the Workshop, you'll be able to look back on 2026 proud that you took the time to prepare for the crisis that defines our era.

The next PCSW begins on February 12th!

The PCSW is an in-depth, unique and rigorous workshop. Full tuition is $2,489 (potential taxes calculated at checkout). We will offer early-bird discounts and a payment plan. Join the early notification list to get updates on registration deadlines and special discounts! Questions about the Workshop? Email [email protected]

Thank You