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Christopher Laing
and
Lydia Peddle
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 No previous experience or qualifications are required. The content will complement interests in science, nature and the environment and works well at any stage of education. You can use the hashtag #FLFoodForThoughtExeter to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
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 No previous experience or qualifications are required. The content will complement interests in science, nature and the environment and works well at any stage of education. You can use the hashtag #FLFoodForThoughtExeter to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
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 No previous experience or qualifications are required. The content will complement interests in science, nature and the environment and works well at any stage of education. You can use the hashtag #FLFoodForThoughtExeter to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- The pillars of sustainability
- Environmental impacts of food production
- Exploitation of the sea
- Case studies on the production of Bananas, Coffee and Palm Oil
- Importance of pollinators
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
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Reviews summary
Global food challenges: an eye-opening overview
According to learners, "Grand Challenges: Food for Thought" offers a highly informative and eye-opening exploration of global food systems and their environmental impact. Students frequently praise its well-structured content and passionate instructors from the University of Exeter and Eden Project, which make complex topics accessible. The course is noted for its relevance and engaging case studies like bananas, palm oil, and pollinators, which help to deepen understanding and encourage rethinking consumption habits. While it provides an excellent introduction for beginners, some learners with prior knowledge found it lacked depth, wishing for more scientific detail or actionable solutions. Overall, it's a solid foundation for anyone interested in sustainability and food challenges.
Specific examples enhance understanding of complex food issues.
"The case studies on bananas and palm oil were particularly eye-opening."
"I found the content on marine exploitation particularly interesting."
"The section on pollinators was fascinating. Great for general knowledge and raising awareness."
Informative and eye-opening material with passionate instructors.
"Absolutely brilliant course! I learned so much about the complex issues surrounding food production and its environmental impact. ... The lecturers ... were very knowledgeable and passionate."
"Excellent introduction to the 'grand challenges' of food. It made me rethink my consumption habits. The videos and readings were engaging, and the quizzes helped solidify my understanding."
"This course exceeded my expectations. It's incredibly relevant for today's world. The way they broke down complex topics into digestible modules was impressive."
Discussion forum activity may not always meet expectations.
"Sometimes the discussions in the forum weren't as active as I hoped, but that's often the nature of online courses."
Some external links in the course material are broken.
"My only suggestion for improvement would be to update some of the external links, as a few were broken."
Good introduction, but may lack depth for advanced learners.
"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit high-level, and I wished for more actionable solutions or deeper dives into certain topics."
"If you're already familiar with environmental issues or sustainability, you might find it a bit too basic. I was hoping for more practical solutions or policy discussions."
"While the topics are important, I felt the course was too superficial. It touched on many areas but didn't delve deep enough into any."
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Grand Challenges: Food for Thought.
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Reading list
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This comprehensive guide provides a thorough overview of the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems, exploring the challenges and opportunities of sustainability.
Focuses on the economic aspects of sustainability, examining the costs and benefits of different approaches to environmental protection and sustainable development.
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This classic work explores the environmental limits to economic growth and the need for sustainable development, providing valuable insights into the challenges facing our planet.
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This influential book argues that sustainability can be profitable and that businesses can play a key role in creating a more sustainable future.
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This innovative work introduces the concept of cradle-to-cradle design, which aims to eliminate waste and create products that are safe for both humans and the environment.
Examines the relationship between ecology and commerce, arguing that businesses need to adopt sustainable practices to ensure their long-term success and the well-being of the planet.
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This groundbreaking book presents a comprehensive plan for reversing global warming, offering a roadmap for a sustainable future.
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This Pulitzer Prize-winning book explores the ongoing extinction crisis and its causes, highlighting the profound impact of human activity on biodiversity. It provides a crucial understanding of the ecological consequences of unsustainable practices. is important for deepening understanding of the environmental challenges related to sustainability and is often recommended as essential reading on biodiversity loss.
Takes a systems approach to sustainability, examining the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems and providing a framework for understanding complex sustainability challenges.
Examines the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their implications for sustainability, providing a practical guide to implementing these goals across different sectors.
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This foundational text is crucial for understanding the origins of the modern environmental movement and its connection to sustainability. It provides essential background knowledge on the impact of human activity on the environment, particularly the dangers of pesticides. While not a recent publication, its historical significance and clear articulation of ecological principles make it valuable prerequisite reading for anyone studying sustainability. It highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the need for careful consideration of our impact.
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Offers a critique of conventional economics and advocates for a more human-scale, decentralized, and environmentally conscious approach. It provides a valuable perspective on alternative economic models that align with sustainability principles. While first published in the 1970s, its ideas remain highly relevant for discussions on sustainable development and serve as important additional reading to broaden understanding beyond mainstream economic thought. It challenges readers to consider the social and environmental impacts of economic systems.
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Also known as the Brundtland Report, this publication landmark document that popularized the concept of sustainable development. It provides a comprehensive overview of the interconnected environmental and development challenges facing the world. This report is essential reading for gaining a broad understanding of the definition and scope of sustainable development as widely accepted internationally. It crucial reference for understanding the historical context of sustainability policy.
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Understanding systems thinking is crucial for comprehending the complex and interconnected nature of sustainability challenges. provides a clear and accessible introduction to the principles of systems thinking and how they can be applied to environmental and social issues. It is highly recommended as foundational reading to develop a holistic perspective on sustainability. It serves as a valuable tool for analyzing the root causes of unsustainable practices and designing effective interventions.
Offers a comprehensive overview of sustainable development, covering its history, key concepts, and practical challenges. Written by a leading economist, it provides valuable insights into the economic dimensions of sustainability and the role of policy. It can serve as a core textbook for undergraduate and graduate programs, offering a solid foundation for understanding the multifaceted nature of sustainable development. It useful reference for exploring various aspects of the topic.
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Challenges traditional economic models and proposes a new framework for economic thinking that integrates social and planetary boundaries. It is highly relevant for contemporary discussions on sustainable economic systems and offers a fresh perspective on achieving well-being within ecological limits. This book is valuable for deepening understanding of alternative economic approaches to sustainability and is often used as supplementary reading in relevant courses.
This provocative book argues that the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue but a call to transform our economic and political systems. It provides a critical analysis of the relationship between capitalism and climate change. is essential for understanding contemporary debates about the systemic drivers of environmental problems and is highly relevant for advanced students and professionals.
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Presents a collection of the most substantive solutions to global warming, based on extensive research and analysis. It offers a hopeful and practical perspective on addressing climate change through existing technologies and practices. This book is highly valuable for understanding concrete actions and strategies for achieving sustainability and useful reference tool for students and professionals working on climate solutions.
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Considered one of the first books for a general audience about climate change, this book explores the idea that human activities have altered nature itself. It provides a historical perspective on the dawning awareness of climate change and its implications. While an older text, it remains a classic for understanding the philosophical and environmental shifts brought about by human impact on the planet.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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