Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to our course on the sustainability of social-ecological systems! Before getting started, we suggest you take a couple of minutes to read the information about the course and about the platform as given below.

Module 1. Introducing the basic concepts

In this first week we will look at the nexus from a different perspective: What is the nexus? Why is it getting all this attention right now? Is it just a buzzword, or something more? We will start by explaining what the nexus means in terms of complexity and propose the basic concepts needed for a metabolic analysis of the nexus. It might take a while to get your head around these concepts, but they are essential to understand what comes next. Finally, we will give examples of “elephants in the room” in the sustainability discourse – to show you that mainstream narratives are not always right.

Module 2. Acknowledging the poor quality of existing quantitative analyses

This week is all about narratives, framing and complexity. You will see how different narratives affect quantitative assessments, and why numbers aren’t always right. We will delve deeper into the theoretical basis of complex systems, and propose alternative ways of doing sustainability analysis, through the use of grammars.

Module 3. The challenge of food accounting

Having introduced the basis of metabolic analysis and complex systems, we will now focus on the different elements of the nexus, starting with food. We will start by answering some seemingly basic questions: what do we mean by food, and how can it be accounted? Which qualities of food can and cannot be accounted for in terms of numbers? Practical examples will guide you along the way, and by the end of the week you will see why the current agricultural system is unsustainable to its core.

Module 4. The challenge of energy accounting

This week we will look at energy. As we did for food, we will start by looking at the problems of energy accounting, and setting a framework to allow us to carry out energy analyses across levels and scales. You will see why energy accounting is one of the most problematic aspects of sustainability, and through the example of the Energiewende we will explore how this affects policy.

Module 5. The challenge of water accounting

This week is all about water. By now you should be familiar with the concept of grammar, and we will see how building one for water can help in dealing with its many dimensions. Through the example of an analysis of the Mauritius Islands, you will become familiar with the many aspects of water accounting, and by the end of the week you will understand the importance of water in nexus analysis, especially when it comes to policymaking.

Module 6. The metabolic pattern of social-ecological systems across multiple scales and dimensions

We talked about scales and dimensions a lot, and this week we will explore and understand these concepts better. You will learn to account for human activity, an essential fund that is often left out from quantitative analysis, and how GIS tools can be incorporated with the methods you have learnt so far. This week is heavy on theory, to prepare you for week 7 which is all about applications.

Module 7. Applications of MuSIASEM 2.0

How can the theoretical concepts explained so far be applied to practical examples? After introducing the basic building blocks of relational analysis needed for our applications, we will look at two real case examples: a nexus analysis of vegetable production in Almeria, and of a wind-powered desalination plant in the Canary Islands. By the end of this week you should be able to build processors and set up nexus analyses.

Module 8. Time for "something completely different": from the Cartesian dream to quantitative story-telling via evidence based policy

We are ending the course with something a bit different (thanks to our guest lecturer Andrea Saltelli). This week we leave quantitative assessments behind, and take some time to reflect upon why it is important to do analyses in a different way. We will introduce the concepts of post-normal science and quantitative story-telling – this will allow you to think deeply about how you frame your analyses in the future.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a comprehensive understanding of the water-energy-food nexus and transdisciplinary thinking

Provides tools and methods for measuring and analyzing nexus elements across scales and dimensions

Emphasizes practical case studies to evaluate and develop solutions for social-ecological issues

Challenges conventional sustainability narratives and encourages critical thinking

Introduces quantitative story-telling techniques for communicating complex sustainability analyses

Taught by experienced instructors with a proven track record in sustainability research

Reviews summary

Well-received nexus course

According to students, this course is largely positive and well-received, providing a systemic view of sustainability and the nexus of water, energy, and food. Many learners mention how the course changed their perspective. The course includes engaging lectures, slides, and readings. Learners describe the lectures as high quality and the information provided by the instructors as critical and clear. Some learners who are not native English speakers note some difficulty with the pronunciation and technical aspects of the course.

Instructors are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and committed.

"I also appreciate the enthusiasm and commitment of all lecturers."

"The input given by lecturers is high quality, critical and clear."

Provides a lot of quality information about the WEF nexus.

"The level of information has opened my eyes to see the depth and complexity of the water, energy food nexus and the role of science in this regards."

"Slightly difficult to understand the technical aspects of the course at first go."

Helps change learner perspectives on sustainability and the WEF nexus.

"this course changes your mind and the way you look at sustainability, with a real systemic view"

"I am so grateful to all the teachers of this course...That you very much"

Some learners note difficulty with the instructor's English pronunciation.

"Given the fact that He is Italian, It'd have been better for him and for everyone to teach the course in his own language rather than in a different language for which he he is not enough qualified."

"Unfortunately can't get past the first quiz, and not worth the frustration to keep trying...Clearly not geared to lifelong learners"

Some learners find the course to be complex and challenging.

"Thought the presentations were very interesting...stopped the course after the first week."

"The content is very vast and teaching was like a class room."

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 Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food with these activities:

Review Complex Systems

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Review the concepts of complex systems to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Complex Systems

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Go over lecture notes or textbook materials on complex systems.
Watch videos or documentaries that explain the principles of complex systems.
Engage in discussions or forums on complex systems to clarify concepts.

Nexus Knowledge Base

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Organize and review course materials to enhance retention and recall of concepts.

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Compile lecture notes, readings, and other course materials into a central location.
Summarize and synthesize key concepts and ideas from the materials.
Create visual aids, such as mind maps or concept diagrams, to illustrate relationships.

Nexus Discussion Forum

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives and enhance understanding of nexus issues.

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Join or create a discussion forum focused on the water-energy-food nexus.
Participate in discussions, asking questions, sharing insights, and responding to others.
Collaborate on projects or research related to nexus issues.

Five other activities

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Analyze Nexus Case Studies

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Practice applying the nexus concepts by analyzing real-world case studies.

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Identify a case study that demonstrates the water-energy-food nexus.
Analyze the case study using the principles and tools taught in the course.
Write a report or presentation summarizing your findings and insights.

Harness MuSIASEM 2.0

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Enhance your understanding of MuSIASEM 2.0 through guided tutorials to perform nexus analyses.

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Follow online tutorials or documentation to learn the basics of MuSIASEM 2.0.
Practice using MuSIASEM 2.0 to analyze a simple nexus problem.
Attend a workshop or webinar on MuSIASEM 2.0 to gain more in-depth knowledge.

Model a Local Nexus System

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Apply the principles of nexus analysis to develop a model or simulation of a local nexus system.

Browse courses on Sustainability Assessment

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Identify a specific local system to model, such as a region, city, or community.
Collect data and information on the water, energy, and food systems within the system.
Use modeling or simulation tools to represent the interactions and relationships between the systems.

Nexus Policy Recommendations

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Apply your knowledge to develop evidence-based policy recommendations that address nexus challenges.

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Research and analyze a specific nexus issue or challenge.
Develop a set of policy recommendations that address the issue.
Write a comprehensive report or paper outlining your recommendations and supporting evidence.

Contribute to Nexus Research

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Engage with the broader research community by contributing to open-source projects or initiatives related to the nexus.

Browse courses on Sustainability Science

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Identify open-source projects or initiatives related to the water-energy-food nexus.
Contribute to the project or initiative by submitting code, documentation, or other resources.
Collaborate with other researchers and developers to advance the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Water Resources Specialist

Water Resources Specialists analyze the availability and quality of water resources and develop plans to manage and protect them. This course introduces the water-energy-food nexus, which examines the interconnectedness of these three resources and their impacts on sustainability. It also provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements, which can be useful for Water Resources Specialists in understanding the complex relationships between water, energy, and food.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Specialist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its components, including water, soil, air, and plants and animals. This course examines the sustainability of social-ecological systems, with a focus on the water-energy-food nexus. It provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements, which can be useful for Environmental Scientists in understanding the complex relationships between these resources and their impacts on the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations develop and implement sustainability strategies. This course introduces the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements. This knowledge can be useful for Sustainability Consultants in understanding the complex relationships between these resources and their impacts on sustainability.

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Agricultural Economist

Agricultural Economists study the economic aspects of agriculture, including production, marketing, and consumption. This course examines the food element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring food metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Agricultural Economists in understanding the complex relationships between food and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Economist

Renewable Energy Engineer

Renewable Energy Engineers design and develop renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind power. This course examines the energy element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring energy metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Renewable Energy Engineers in understanding the complex relationships between energy and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Water Quality Analyst

Water Quality Analysts monitor and assess the quality of water, including drinking water, wastewater, and surface water. This course examines the water element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring water metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Water Quality Analysts in understanding the complex relationships between water and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Quality Analyst

Food Policy Analyst

Food Policy Analysts analyze and evaluate food policies and regulations. This course examines the food element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring food metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Food Policy Analysts in understanding the complex relationships between food and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts analyze and evaluate environmental policies and regulations. This course examines the sustainability of social-ecological systems, with a focus on the water-energy-food nexus. It provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements, which can be useful for Environmental Policy Analysts in understanding the complex relationships between these resources and their impacts on policymaking.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Energy Policy Analyst

Energy Policy Analysts analyze and evaluate energy policies and regulations. This course examines the energy element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring energy metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Energy Policy Analysts in understanding the complex relationships between energy and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Policy Analyst

Renewable Energy Manager

Renewable Energy Managers plan and manage the development and operation of renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind power. This course examines the energy element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring energy metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Renewable Energy Managers in understanding the complex relationships between energy and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Manager

Water Resources Manager

Water Resources Managers plan and manage the use of water resources, including water conservation and allocation. This course examines the water element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring water metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Water Resources Managers in understanding the complex relationships between water and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineers design and develop solutions to agricultural problems, such as crop production and soil management. This course examines the food element of the water-energy-food nexus and provides tools for analyzing and measuring food metabolism. This knowledge can be useful for Agricultural Engineers in understanding the complex relationships between food and the other elements of the nexus.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and develop solutions to environmental problems, such as water pollution and air pollution. This course examines the sustainability of social-ecological systems, with a focus on the water-energy-food nexus. It provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements, which can be useful for Environmental Engineers in understanding the complex relationships between these resources and their impacts on the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Environmental Planner

Environmental Planners develop and implement plans to protect the environment, including land use planning and natural resource management. This course examines the sustainability of social-ecological systems, with a focus on the water-energy-food nexus. It provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements, which can be useful for Environmental Planners in understanding the complex relationships between these resources and their impacts on the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its features, including water, land, and climate. This course examines the sustainability of social-ecological systems, with a focus on the water-energy-food nexus. It provides tools for analyzing and measuring the nexus elements, which can be useful for Geographers in understanding the complex relationships between these resources and their impacts on the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer