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Introduction to Sustainability and Development

The key topics addressed in this course on sustainability in contemporary international and community development, include: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for those who have an interest in our planet and a sustainable future.

Topics Covered

Diverse understandings of sustainability and development
Changing planetary conditions and the growing human population
What the future might look like, and the potential for technology to save us

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Reviews summary

Introduction to sustainability: broad foundation

According to learners, this is an excellent introduction to sustainability and development, providing a valuable foundation for those new to the field. Students appreciate the broad range of crucial topics covered and find the lectures engaging and easy to follow. Some reviewers noted that the course lacks depth and can feel superficial or too theoretical for those seeking practical applications or with prior background. However, it is widely considered ideal for beginners. Reviewers have found the course structure logical and materials insightful, with recent feedback suggesting the content is up-to-date.

Best suited for those new to the subject.

"Highly recommend for anyone new to the field."

"Good starting point, but needs more depth."

"It serves well as a general overview but isn't enough if you already have some background in the subject."

"Suitable for beginners."

Lectures and materials are engaging and clear.

"The lectures were engaging and easy to follow."

"The recommended readings were very insightful."

"The instructors presented complex ideas in an accessible way."

"The course structure was logical and easy to navigate."

Provides a valuable foundational overview.

"Excellent introduction! Covered a wide range of crucial topics from climate change to social equity."

"A solid foundation course. It gives a good overview of sustainability concepts and challenges."

"Highly recommended introductory course. It provides a valuable foundation for understanding sustainability in a global context."

"I found it to be a good overview touching on many important aspects."

Some older reviews questioned currency.

"Okay course. It covers the basics but doesn't feel very current. Some statistics felt a bit old."

"The course materials were up-to-date."

"More recent reviews indicate the materials are current and relevant."

Course may lack depth or practical application.

"Some topics could have gone deeper, but for an 'introduction', it was comprehensive enough."

"I felt it stayed very theoretical and didn't offer much in terms of practical solutions or career applications."

"While the topic is important, the course felt superficial. It skimmed over many critical areas without providing enough detail..."

"It serves well as a general overview but isn't enough if you already have some background in the subject."

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Sustainability and Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Sustainability and Development.

Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis

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This report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the science of climate change.

Introduction to Sustainability and Development

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Introduction to sustainability: broad foundation

Career center

Reading list

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