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David Officer,
Andrew Nattestad,
Yi Du,
Attila Mozer,
Sabine Straver,
and
Inseong Cho
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 for anyone interested in sustainability and the future of human life on Earth. You can use the hashtag #FLEnergyMaterials to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
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Reviews summary
Sustainable energy materials: a global overview
According to students, this course offers a highly accessible and comprehensive introduction to energy materials for a sustainable future. Learners with no prior scientific background particularly appreciate how complex topics are broken down and made approachable. Many found the lectures engaging, with passionate instructors and helpful visual aids. It is widely considered a fantastic entry point for understanding global energy challenges and innovative solutions, providing a solid foundational understanding of the subject matter. While it excels as a general overview, some learners seeking deeper technical insight or advanced material science principles found the coverage too superficial.
Instructors and visuals make learning enjoyable.
"The videos were engaging, and the quizzes helped reinforce the learning."
"The instructors were passionate and made the learning enjoyable."
"The visual aids and real-world examples were superb."
Helps establish a strong understanding of core concepts.
"I feel I've gained a solid foundation."
"A fantastic entry point into the world of sustainable energy materials."
"A good course for getting up to speed on sustainable energy concepts."
Covers a wide range of relevant energy materials.
"A very informative course covering a wide range of energy materials."
"Really enjoyed the breadth of topics covered, from traditional fossil fuels to cutting-edge renewables."
"Provides a comprehensive yet understandable overview of energy materials."
Provides clear explanations for beginners.
"I had no prior knowledge in this field, and I feel I've gained a solid foundation."
"As a non-science major, I appreciated how the complex topics were broken down."
"The concepts are explained simply and effectively. It truly broadened my perspective."
"The instructors make complex subjects approachable."
Some modules might feel rushed or oversimplified.
"I struggled with the pace of this course. Some concepts were introduced very quickly without enough foundational explanation."
"Decent course but inconsistent depth. Some modules were great, others felt rushed or oversimplified."
"I think it tries to cover too much for a general audience, leading to some areas being skimmed over."
Superficial for learners seeking advanced technical insight.
"I found it a bit too superficial for my needs. I'm an engineering student, and I was hoping for more technical depth..."
"For me, with some basic science knowledge, much of it felt like review... quite high-level."
"The content was too basic and didn't offer any significant new insights for someone who has read a few articles."
"Felt a bit light on practical applications."
Activities
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We're preparing activities for
How to Survive on Earth: Energy Materials for a Sustainable Future.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete How to Survive on Earth: Energy Materials for a Sustainable Future will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/cog4sl/how
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
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.
This comprehensive guide provides a thorough overview of the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems, exploring the challenges and opportunities of sustainability.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/cog4sl/how
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Time
12 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
University of Wollongong
Instructors
David Officer
Andrew Nattestad
Yi Du
Attila Mozer
Sabine Straver
Inseong Cho
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