Sustainability Science – A Key Concept for Future Design from edX

Sustainability is indispensable for the future of humankind. Sustainability science has emerged as an effort to tackle the complex problems the world is facing today. Lecturers from different disciplines provide a holistic overview of key issues in sustainability including industrial pollution, an aging society, human-nature connection, urban planning, resilience, environmental governance, and education for sustainable development.

In this course, you will learn about historical and current sustainability issues that have emerged around the world, as well as some of the approaches that have been used to solve them. You will be exposed to industrial and water pollution control issues, in addition to challenges caused by an aging and shrinking population.

You will also learn about the human-nature connection and initiatives that aim to create sustainable societies in harmony with nature, based on the concept of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS). You will explore how ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) approaches can be used to reestablish the human-nature connection through re-naturalization of damaged environments.

This course will also consider an urban planning point of view by exploring the value of an urban-rural land use mixture to create new sustainable societies and resilient megacities.

Finally, you will learn about environmental governance, a crucial element for progress towards a sustainable future. You will be introduced to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a learning method for sustainable development and discuss international debates on ESD.

Japanese perspectives are emphasized throughout the course in the hopes of providing concrete value to solving contemporary sustainability issues.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Historical lessons and current sustainability challenges in japan and other parts of the world
International and japanese initiatives in the field of human-nature connection
Japanese experience in urban-rural land use mixture

Frontier knowledge in the area of environmental governance and esd
Theoretical concepts of sustainability science

Historical lessons and current sustainability challenges in japan and other parts of the world
International and japanese initiatives in the field of human-nature connection
Japanese experience in urban-rural land use mixture
Frontier knowledge in the area of environmental governance and esd
Theoretical concepts of sustainability science

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers challenging topics in sustainability, such as industrial pollution, an aging society, and environmental governance

Provides a comprehensive overview of key issues in sustainability, including the human-nature connection, urban planning, resilience, and education for sustainable development

Emphasizes Japanese perspectives throughout the course, which can provide valuable insights for addressing sustainability issues

Includes international and Japanese initiatives in the field of human-nature connection, providing a global perspective on sustainability

Introduces Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a learning method for sustainable development and discusses international debates on ESD

Taught by instructors from different disciplines, providing a holistic overview of sustainability

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 Science – A Key Concept for Future Design with these activities:

Review the fundamentals of environmental science

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Refresh your understanding of key scientific concepts that will be used throughout this course, such as ecology, pollution, and climate change.

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Review your high school biology and chemistry textbooks or notes.
Take practice quizzes online or in textbooks to test your understanding of basic scientific concepts.
Watch videos or documentaries about environmental science to get an overview of the field.

Review Principles of Environmental Science

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Deepen understanding of environmental science principles, including concepts covered in this course, such as pollution, sustainability, and natural resource management.

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Read chapters relevant to course topics
Summarize key concepts

Review previous knowledge on urban planning

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Refresh your understanding of urban planning concepts, especially those related to sustainable development, to enhance understanding of the course materials.

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Review lecture notes
Read books or articles
Discuss urban planning with peers

11 other activities

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Review concepts of sustainability

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Review and understand fundamental concepts of sustainability covered in the course to be more prepared for learning more advanced concepts.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Access resources
Read materials about sustainability
Summarize what you've learned

Learn to use data analysis software

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Become familiar with data analysis software and techniques that are commonly used in sustainability research, such as Python or R.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Enroll in an online tutorial or workshop on data analysis using Python or R.
Complete the tutorial and practice using the software on your own.
Find a dataset related to sustainability and analyze it using the software.

Join a study group or online forum

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Connect with other students taking this course and form a study group or join an online forum to discuss the material and collaborate on projects.

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Post a message on the course discussion board or social media to find other students interested in forming a study group.
Meet regularly with your study group to discuss the course material, work on assignments, and prepare for exams.
Join an online forum dedicated to sustainability or environmental science and participate in discussions.

Participate in discussion groups on sustainability topics

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Engage with peers to exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and strengthen understanding of sustainability issues discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Join online discussion groups
Participate in discussions
Share knowledge and experiences

Practice solving case studies on water pollution

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Demonstrate problem-solving skills by applying course concepts to real-world case studies. This helps you gain a deeper understanding of water pollution and environmental governance.

Browse courses on Water Pollution

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Find real-world case studies
Analyze the case studies
Propose solutions
Present findings

Write a blog post or article on a sustainability topic

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Research and write a blog post or article on a topic related to sustainability that you find interesting. This will help you to synthesize your understanding of the material and communicate it to others.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Choose a topic that interests you and that is related to the course material.
Research the topic thoroughly using credible sources.
Write a draft of your blog post or article.
Edit and revise your draft until you are satisfied with the quality.
Publish your blog post or article online.

Develop an environmental sustainability plan

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Apply course knowledge to create a practical plan for environmental sustainability, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Research environmental issues
Develop goals and objectives
Propose solutions
Create an implementation plan

Volunteer with a local environmental organization

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Gain practical experience in sustainability by volunteering with a local environmental organization. This could involve activities such as cleaning up local waterways, planting trees, or educating the public about environmental issues.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Research local environmental organizations and find one that aligns with your interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training and orientation.
Participate in volunteer activities on a regular basis.

Attend a sustainability conference or workshop

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Attend a sustainability conference or workshop to learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Search for sustainability conferences or workshops in your area or online.
Register for the event and pay the registration fee (if any).
Attend the event and participate in sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Create a poster presentation on sustainability challenges

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Demonstrate understanding of sustainability challenges by creating a visual representation that summarizes key concepts and solutions, enhancing your communication and presentation skills.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Research sustainability challenges
Design the poster
Present the poster

Contribute to an open-source sustainability project

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Contribute to an open-source sustainability project on GitHub or another platform. This could involve tasks such as fixing bugs, adding new features, or improving documentation.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Find an open-source sustainability project on GitHub or another platform.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Identify an area where you can contribute to the project.
Create a pull request with your changes.
Collaborate with other contributors to merge your changes into the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainability Science – A Key Concept for Future Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Scientist

A Sustainability Scientist is a professional who works to identify and solve environmental and social problems. They use scientific methods to collect and analyze data, and then develop and implement solutions that promote sustainability. This course can help you build a foundation in sustainability science, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Scientist

Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant is a professional who helps organizations reduce their environmental impact. They may work on projects such as developing sustainability plans, conducting environmental audits, and managing environmental compliance. This course can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability issues, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer is a professional who designs and implements solutions to environmental problems. They may work on projects such as designing wastewater treatment systems, developing renewable energy sources, and cleaning up contaminated sites. This course can help you gain a solid foundation in environmental engineering, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager is a professional who is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They may work on projects such as reducing energy consumption, reducing waste, and improving environmental performance. This course can help you gain a deep understanding of sustainability issues, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Urban Planner

An Urban Planner is a professional who designs and plans the development of cities and towns. They may work on projects such as zoning, land use planning, and transportation planning. This course can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of urban planning, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Educator

An Environmental Educator is a professional who teaches people about environmental issues. They may work in schools, museums, or other educational settings. This course can help you learn about the latest environmental issues, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator

Environmental Lawyer

An Environmental Lawyer is a professional who specializes in environmental law. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help you gain a deep understanding of environmental law, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field. Typically, an advanced degree is required to practice law.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Conservation Scientist

A Conservation Scientist is a professional who works to protect and restore natural ecosystems. They may work on projects such as managing wildlife populations, developing conservation plans, and restoring damaged habitats. This course can help you gain a deep understanding of conservation science, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst is a professional who researches and analyzes public policy issues. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this field, such as research, analysis, and communication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager is a professional who is responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility strategies for organizations. They may work on projects such as reducing environmental impact, improving labor practices, and supporting local communities. This course can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of corporate social responsibility, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Environmental Activist

An Environmental Activist is a person who works to protect the environment. They may work on projects such as organizing protests, lobbying government officials, and educating the public. This course can help you learn about the latest environmental issues, and provide you with the knowledge you need to be an effective environmental activist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Activist

Sustainable Tourism Manager

A Sustainable Tourism Manager is a professional who is responsible for developing and implementing sustainable tourism practices for organizations. They may work on projects such as reducing the environmental impact of tourism, promoting local culture, and supporting local businesses. This course can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable tourism, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Tourism Manager

Disaster Relief Worker

A Disaster Relief Worker is a person who helps people who have been affected by natural disasters. They may work on projects such as providing food, water, and shelter, and helping people rebuild their lives. This course can help you gain a deep understanding of disaster relief, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disaster Relief Worker

Water Resources Manager

A Water Resources Manager is a professional who is responsible for managing water resources. They may work on projects such as developing water conservation plans, managing water quality, and protecting water supplies. This course can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of water resources management, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Renewable Energy Engineer

A Renewable Energy Engineer is a professional who designs and develops renewable energy systems. They may work on projects such as designing solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower systems. This course can help you gain a solid foundation in renewable energy engineering, and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Sustainability Science – A Key Concept for Future Design

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