Introduction to Sustainability from Coursera

This course introduces the academic approach of Sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations. The course focuses on key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history.

This subject is of vital importance, seeking as it does to uncover the principles of the long-term welfare of all the peoples of the planet. As sustainability is a cross-disciplinary field of study, this foundation requires intellectual breadth: as I describe it in the class text, understanding our motivations requires the humanities, measuring the challenges of sustainability requires knowledge of the sciences (both natural and social), and building solutions requires technical insight into systems (such as provided by engineering, planning, and management).

What's inside

Syllabus

Orientation and Introduction

In this module, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and the learning environment. The orientation also helps you obtain the technical skills required for the course. In the introduction, we will examine some of the central ideas that underpin the Earth as a system, and their consequences for environmental sustainability.

Population

In this module, we will see how human populations have evolved over time and get a sense of where the next century of change will take us.

Ecosystems and Climate Change

In this module, we will see that the Earth faces many environmental pressures that result from human exploitation of natural resources. We will also look at the issue of climate change.

Energy

In this module, we will look at energy use. We will also consider what the trend of energy use means for the planet, and how we might transition to a more sustainable pattern of use.

Water and Agriculture

In this module, we will explore the connection between water and food, and see what will be required to feed the planet over the course of the century.

Environmental Policy

In this module, we will examine some of the common tools used by policy-makers, and some of the forces that shape (or misshape) policy.

Measuring Sustainability

In this module, we will examine what tools are available to measure sustainability. Finally, I will make some predictions on global sustainability for the 21st century, based on the models we have spoken about in this course and the trends that have been observed in the early part of this century.

Conclusion

Welcome to the end of the course! This module has a final, comprehensive quiz that covers all of the topics that we’ve seen in the previous seven modules. You’ll want to be familiar with the goals and objectives, key phrases, concepts, and guiding questions from the earlier modules to do well on this final quiz.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Dr. Jonathan Tomkin, who is an expert researcher in sustainability and the environment, and author in the field

Introduces learners to key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics, policy, ethics, and cultural history

Covers a wide range of topics relevant to sustainability, including population, ecosystems, climate change, energy, water and agriculture, environmental policy, and measuring sustainability

Takes a cross-disciplinary approach to sustainability, drawing on the humanities, sciences, and engineering

Suitable for beginners who are new to sustainability or those who want to refresh their knowledge

Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability, making it a good starting point for further learning

Reviews summary

Sustainability: a global perspective

Learners say this course provides a broad overview of sustainability, covering policy, science, and concerns. The course is largely positive, with many graduates indicating that it was very informative, comprehensive, and has inspired them to pursue careers in the field. Graduates highly recommend the course, calling it a great starting point to understand this increasingly important subject. Noted weaknesses of the course relate to outdated data (the course is largely based on data from 2005-2010) and some quizzes that are vague or difficult to pass.

The course emphasizes the importance of sustainability and provides insights into future challenges and solutions.

"This is a thought provoking course that has illuminated many aspects of sustainability that I had never considered."

"A very nice course, providing a solid introduction to the topic of sustainability."

"I learned a lot from the course albeit having studied similar courses in university."

"This is a great learning opportunity."

"I am now confident that sustainanility is the field of work in which I will continue to pursue!"

Extensive use of statistics, graphs, charts, and case studies helps to illustrate lessons.

"The wealth of information was enlightening."

"Very thorough and sufficiently challenging."

"Excellent course with a lot of great information!"

"It helped me to arrange the knowledge and systematize it."

"I learned many things from this course and got the idea about sustainability."

Some learners found the quizzes to be vague or difficult to pass, describing them as "tricky" or "poorly formulated."

"Really got my mind grinding with the peer review assignments and think beyond the course material."

"Excellent introductory course integrating various disciplines and approaches in discussing sustainability."

"An awesome learning experience."

"Introduction to sustainability is a perfect blend."

"Enrolling in the Introduction to Sustainability course has been an incredibly rewarding decision for me."

The content is somewhat outdated, with most data coming from 2005-2010.

"Great course, learned heaps about the industry."

"This course serves as an informative,"

"A well thought and curated module"

"Thank you for providing this course online!"

"The professor made the subject easy to understand"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Sustainability with these activities:

Read 'Sustainability: Perspectives and Practices' by Jonathan M. Tomkin

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Familiarizes you with key concepts and approaches in sustainability.

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Read the introduction and Chapter 1
Summarize key terms and concepts

Start a personal sustainability project (e.g., reducing carbon footprint, conserving water)

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Encourages you to take action and implement sustainability practices in your own life.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Identify an area where you want to improve your sustainability
Research and develop a plan for your project
Implement your plan and track your progress

Explore online resources on renewable energy technologies

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Expands your knowledge of renewable energy technologies and their applications.

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Search for online resources on renewable energy technologies
Explore different technologies and their advantages and disadvantages

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Solve practice problems on population growth and resource depletion

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Improves your understanding of the impact of population growth and resource depletion on sustainability.

Browse courses on Population Growth

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Review lecture notes on population growth and resource depletion
Attempt practice problems
Check solutions and identify areas for improvement

Participate in online discussion forums on sustainability topics

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Fosters collaboration and exchange of ideas on sustainability issues with peers.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Join online discussion forums on sustainability topics
Participate in discussions and share your perspectives

Design a poster on climate change mitigation strategies

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Encourages you to apply your knowledge of climate change mitigation strategies and present them in a visually engaging way.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Research climate change mitigation strategies
Design a poster with clear and concise information
Present your poster to the class

Participate in a sustainability hackathon or competition

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Challenges you to solve real-world sustainability problems in a collaborative and competitive environment.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Find a sustainability hackathon or competition that aligns with your interests
Form a team and develop a solution to the problem
Present your solution to a panel of judges

Develop a plan for a sustainable community project

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Provides you with hands-on experience in applying sustainability principles to real-world projects.

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Identify a need or opportunity in your community
Research and develop a plan for a sustainable solution
Present your plan to stakeholders

Career center

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

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They work to protect the environment and public health. They conduct research, design, and implement solutions to reduce pollution, conserve resources, and restore ecosystems. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan the development of cities and towns. They work to create sustainable and livable communities. They develop plans for land use, transportation, and public spaces. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its components. They conduct research to understand how the environment works and how human activities impact the environment. They also develop and implement solutions to environmental problems. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Conservation Biologist

Conservation Biologists study and protect endangered and threatened species. They work to conserve and restore biodiversity. They conduct research, develop conservation plans, and educate the public about conservation. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Biologist

Water Resources Engineer

Water Resources Engineers design and implement solutions to water problems. They work to protect and sustain water resources for current and future generations. They develop and implement water management plans, conduct research, and educate the public about water resources. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers oversee sustainability programs and initiatives for organizations. They work to improve the organization's environmental, social, and economic performance. They develop and implement sustainability strategies, policies, and programs. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide consulting services to help organizations and governments develop and implement sustainable solutions. They conduct environmental assessments, audits, and feasibility studies. They also develop and implement environmental management systems and sustainability programs, helping organizations improve their environmental performance and reduce their environmental impact. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the climate system and its components. They conduct research to understand how the climate system works and how human activities impact the climate. They also develop and implement solutions to climate change. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts research, develop, and evaluate environmental policies. They work to protect the environment and public health. They conduct research, develop policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of environmental regulations. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Manager

Natural Resources Managers manage natural resources, such as forests, water, and wildlife. They work to protect and sustain natural resources for current and future generations. They develop and implement management plans, conduct research, and educate the public about natural resources. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resources Manager

Sustainability Analyst

The Sustainability Analyst plays a vital role on the path to sustainability. Sustainability Analysts are responsible for monitoring and assessing sustainability. They evaluate the social, economic, and environmental footprints of products, services, and processes. They implement and coordinate sustainability programs, policies, and projects, helping organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their social and economic performance. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors assess the energy consumption of buildings and businesses. They identify ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. They conduct energy audits, develop energy efficiency plans, and educate the public about energy efficiency. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Auditor

Renewable Energy Engineer

Renewable Energy Engineers design and implement renewable energy systems. They work to develop and deploy renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy. They develop design plans, conduct feasibility studies, and educate the public about renewable energy. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Sustainable Agriculture Specialists help farmers and ranchers adopt sustainable farming practices. They work to improve the environmental and economic performance of agricultural systems. They develop and implement sustainable agriculture plans, conduct research, and educate the public about sustainable agriculture. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Green Building Designer

Green Building Designers design and build sustainable buildings. They work to create buildings that are energy efficient, water efficient, and environmentally friendly. They develop design plans, conduct energy modeling, and educate the public about sustainable building practices. Introduction to Sustainability may be useful in building a foundation in the principles and practices of sustainability, which are essential to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Green Building Designer