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Steffen Foss Hansen and Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen

Decision-makers often turn to scientists and engineers to assist them to navigate through complex environmental, health and societal challenges pervaded by systemic uncertainty, ambiguity and ethical implications.

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Decision-makers often turn to scientists and engineers to assist them to navigate through complex environmental, health and societal challenges pervaded by systemic uncertainty, ambiguity and ethical implications.

This course prepares you to meet the requests and demands of current and future decision-makers and in this course, you will analyze ethical challenges associated with environmental dilemmas and apply different decision making tools relevant to environmental management and regulation.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome and introduction
The environmental ethical dilemmas that we face a immense. In this module, we will introduce you to our course on Environmental Management & Ethics.
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Environmental ethics
In this module, we will introduce you to environmental ethics in general and three different kinds of environmental ethics in specific.
Environmental management of wicked problems
In the past, environmental problems were local and we could use our senses to detect them. We could see them, smell them and feel them and we could develop uniform solutions to them. They were tame problems. More and more of the environmental dilemmas and problems that we face are not tame. In this module, you will learn about environmental management of wicked problems in contrast to tame problems.
Decision-support tools
Tools and methods such as cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, technology assessment often provide support to decision-maker when it making decisions about how to best management the environment and environmental resources. These decision-support tools have different ethical foundations and different set of values embedded in them, which are important to have in mind.
Environmental regulation and principles
In this module, we will introduce you to the main different kinds of implementing environmental regulation as well as some of the key environmental principles on which environmental management is based internationally.
Recommendations on your chosen Environmental ethical dilemma
In this module, you will learn-by-doing how hard it can be to develop a set of clear recommendation to solve a given environmental ethical dilemma.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Addresses dilemmas faced by decision-makers in environmental conservation
Highlights ethical implications and considerations in environmental management
Provides practical tools and approaches for decision-making in environmental regulation

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Reviews summary

Well-regarded environment management and ethics course

Learners say this is a top-of-the-line course on environmental management and ethics with engaging assignments. Numerous students found this course to be quite helpful and especially praised the in-depth content, great lectures, and well-defined structure.
Thought-Provoking
"It draws out a lot of interconnected dimensions why we are not able to find viable solutions to environmental issues."
Clear Outline
"The curriculum was well structured - as a beginner in this field, I have absorbed a lot out of this course."
"The course was well structured and the height for me was the research aspect, which gave deeper insight into Environmental management and ethics"
Helpful Exercises
"The lecturers were not so good I must say, but I love the lecturers and the graded assignments a lot."
"This course is one of the best courses I have completed on coursera. The design where I have to apply what I have learned and make models providing for the solutions to a particular environmental dilemma made me think if I had any new solution."
Valuable Assignments
"The graded assignments a lot."
"The assignments gave me a chance to review some aspects of geoengineering (OIF) and go through some of the detailed technical literature in that area."
Knowledgeable
"Very informative"
"This course has valuable information, bringing different decision-making tools relevant to environmental management e.g. Cost-benefit analysis and Technology assessment."
"This was a very informative course. A lot of new terms and skills learned."
Wonderful Course
"This course is one of the best courses I have completed on coursera."
"Excellent discussion on Environmental Management and Ethics."
"The course was way indept and well thought, assignments were a bit difficult and had the student learning more than what was thought."

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 Environmental Management & Ethics with these activities:
Volunteer for an Environmental Organization
Gain practical experience and contribute to environmental protection by volunteering with an organization that aligns with your interests.
Show steps
  • Research environmental organizations in your area
  • Identify an organization that matches your interests and availability
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Read 'Environmental Ethics: An Introduction'
Gain a deeper understanding of the ethical principles and theories that underpin environmental decision-making.
Show steps
  • Read and reflect on the key concepts and arguments presented in the book
  • Identify and summarize the different ethical perspectives on environmental issues
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each ethical perspective
Review Ethical Theory
Reinforce your understanding of basic ethical theories to strengthen your ability to analyze environmental ethical dilemmas.
Show steps
  • Identify different ethical theories (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics)
  • Explain the key principles and arguments associated with each theory
  • Consider examples of how these theories have been applied to environmental decision-making
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a Study Group
Engage with peers to discuss course concepts, share insights, and support each other's learning.
Browse courses on Environmental Ethics
Show steps
  • Find or form a study group with other students in the course
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials, assignments, and ideas
  • Collaborate on projects or presentations
Learn to use Decision-support Tools
Enhance your ability to utilize decision-support tools for environmental management and regulation.
Browse courses on Cost-Benefit Analysis
Show steps
  • Explore the different types of decision-support tools available
  • Follow tutorials on how to use these tools for environmental decision-making
  • Apply one or more tools to a specific environmental issue
Write an Essay on an Environmental Ethical Dilemma
Develop your critical thinking and communication skills by analyzing an environmental ethical dilemma and presenting your insights.
Browse courses on Environmental Ethics
Show steps
  • Identify an environmental ethical dilemma that interests you
  • Research the issue and gather relevant information
  • Analyze the ethical implications of your chosen dilemma
  • Develop a persuasive argument and support it with evidence
  • Write an essay that presents your analysis and argument clearly and concisely
Develop an Environmental Management Plan
Gain practical experience by creating a comprehensive environmental management plan for a real-world scenario.
Browse courses on Environmental management
Show steps
  • Identify an environmental issue or challenge that you want to address
  • Research relevant environmental regulations and best practices
  • Develop a plan to mitigate or solve the identified issue
  • Create a detailed report that outlines your plan, its objectives, and its expected outcomes

Career center

Learners who complete Environmental Management & Ethics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants help businesses comply with environmental regulations, develop sustainability programs, and reduce their environmental impact. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental management.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design, build, and operate systems to protect the environment and public health. This course would provide you with the ethical foundation and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental management and regulation.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers advise clients on environmental regulations, represent clients in environmental litigation, and advocate for environmental protection. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental law.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop environmental policies. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental policymaking.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability programs for businesses and organizations. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in sustainability management.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement corporate social responsibility programs for businesses and organizations. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in corporate social responsibility.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists conduct research on environmental issues and develop solutions to environmental problems. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental science.
Natural Resources Manager
Natural Resources Managers develop and implement plans for the management of natural resources. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in natural resource management.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners develop plans for the development of urban areas. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in urban planning.
Water Resources Manager
Water Resources Managers develop and implement plans for the management of water resources. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in water resources management.
Wildlife Manager
Wildlife Managers develop and implement plans for the management of wildlife. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in wildlife management.
Energy Manager
Energy Managers develop and implement plans for the management of energy resources. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in energy management.
Conservation Biologist
Conservation Biologists develop and implement plans for the conservation of biodiversity. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in conservation biology.
Environmental Educator
Environmental Educators develop and implement educational programs about environmental issues. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental education.
Environmental Journalist
Environmental Journalists report on environmental issues for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. This course would provide you with the ethical framework and decision-making tools you need to succeed in this role, as you will be able to anticipate and address the ethical challenges that often arise in environmental journalism.

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Environmental Management & Ethics.
Provides a more in-depth exploration of environmental ethics, covering a wide range of topics, including the value of nature, the rights of animals, and the ethics of climate change. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of environmental issues.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cost-benefit analysis, a widely used decision-making tool in environmental policy. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about how cost-benefit analysis is used to make decisions about environmental regulations and policies.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental law and policy in the United States. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about the legal and policy framework for environmental protection in the United States.
Provides a comprehensive overview of international environmental law. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about the legal and policy framework for environmental protection at the international level.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the precautionary principle, a widely used principle in environmental law and policy. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about the precautionary principle and its application in environmental decision-making.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental justice, a field that addresses the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by low-income and minority communities. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about environmental justice and its implications for environmental law and policy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of climate change law. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about the legal and policy framework for addressing climate change.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the economics of climate change. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about the economic impacts of climate change and the costs and benefits of different policy options for addressing climate change.
Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable development, a concept that seeks to balance economic development with environmental protection and social justice. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about sustainable development and its application in different contexts.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental impact assessment, a process for identifying and assessing the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects and developments. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about environmental impact assessment and its application in different contexts.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental management systems, a framework for managing environmental impacts and improving environmental performance. It would be valuable for anyone who wants to learn more about environmental management systems and their application in different contexts.

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