Nitrogen: A Global Challenge (Bhutan) from edX

It’s a perfect storm. Limited food, water and energy unequally spread between an expanding population, and a warming climate as the bitter icing on the cake. In all these global challenges nitrogen has a leading role to play. Here you will learn just how hard-wired into all of human civilisation nitrogen is, and whether the future will see it as our quiet savior or the toxic villain of the piece.

Nitrogen’s story is of the peculiar and the mundane, of water turning red and people turning blue. It is one of climate friend and pollution foe, of meaty feasts and looming famine. If your main thought of nitrogen is as a boring corner of the periodic table then it’s time to look again.

This innovative course, regardless of your background, will teach you core concepts about nitrogen and global change, allowing you to better understand the challenges and opportunities it represents. Key topics include food security, climate change, air pollution, water pollution, human health and more.

Learn through the award-winning teaching approaches of the University of Edinburgh’s faculty team. This course brings an engaging and expert approach to the global challenges of nitrogen, showing how the threats it poses for human civilization can be better integrated and tackled.

Taught by instructors with decades of experience in nitrogen and global change research, this world-first course is a collaboration between leading experts in the UK and India as part of the Newton-Bhabha Virtual Centre on Nitrogen Efficiency. Brought to Bhutan with the support of the South Asian Nitrogen Hub.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn about the global nitrogen challenge, how nitrogen has helped human civilization to develop, and how its misuse now threatens us
Discover how fundamental nitrogen is to agriculture and food security
Understand the role of nitrogen in air pollution and its impact on human health

Learn how nitrogen can pollute our water and the risks that then arise
Examine the solutions to the global challenges of nitrogen and how we can better manage this precious element

Learn about the global nitrogen challenge, how nitrogen has helped human civilization to develop, and how its misuse now threatens us
Discover how fundamental nitrogen is to agriculture and food security
Understand the role of nitrogen in air pollution and its impact on human health
Learn how nitrogen can pollute our water and the risks that then arise
Examine the solutions to the global challenges of nitrogen and how we can better manage this precious element

Syllabus

Week 1: Global Nitrogen Challenge

Introduction to nitrogen, its uses, and overview of its role in global food production, pollution and climate change

Week 2: Nitrogen and Agriculture

Introduction to the nitrogen cycle, history of nitrogen use for food production, interactions with climate change, future challenges for food security

Week 3: Nitrogen and Air Pollution

How nitrogen causes local and global air pollution, its impacts, trends and future challenges

Week 4: Nitrogen and Water

How nitrogen gets into our water, impacts on freshwater and the oceans, risks to ecosystems and human health

Week 5: Nitrogen Solutions

Improving nitrogen use in agriculture, smart food choices, tackling air and water pollution, integrated management

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the global challenges of nitrogen, which is highly relevant to the field of sustainability and environmental science

Taught by instructors with decades of experience in nitrogen and global change research, Dave Reay and Andrea Moring, who are recognized for their work in this field

Examines nitrogen's role in food security, climate change, air pollution, water pollution, and human health, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic

Develops core concepts about nitrogen and global change, allowing learners to better understand the challenges and opportunities it represents

Offers a world-first course that is a collaboration between leading experts in the UK and India as part of the Newton-Bhabha Virtual Centre on Nitrogen Efficiency

Taught by the University of Edinburgh’s faculty team, which has an engaging and expert approach to the global challenges of nitrogen

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 Nitrogen: A Global Challenge (Bhutan) with these activities:

Review the nitrogen cycle

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Reviewing the nitrogen cycle will help you understand the fundamental concepts of nitrogen and its role in various global challenges.

Browse courses on Nitrogen Cycle

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Read through the provided materials on the nitrogen cycle.
Create a diagram or flowchart that visually represents the nitrogen cycle.
Identify the key processes involved in the nitrogen cycle.

Read 'Nitrogen: The Essential Element of Life' by Vaclav Smil

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Reading Vaclav Smil's book will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of nitrogen's role in various aspects of human civilization, from food production to environmental challenges.

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and findings.
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.
Identify any areas where your understanding has improved or been challenged.

Follow tutorials on nitrogen-responsive farming practices

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Tutorials on nitrogen-responsive farming will equip you with practical knowledge and skills to optimize nitrogen use in agricultural systems, reducing environmental impact and enhancing crop yields.

Browse courses on Agriculture

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Identify reputable sources for tutorials on nitrogen-responsive farming.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and practicing the techniques.
Implement the learned practices in your own gardening or farming activities.

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Solve practice problems on nitrogen fixation

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Solving practice problems on nitrogen fixation will help you strengthen your understanding of this crucial process and its implications for food security.

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Identify different types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Explain the mechanism of biological nitrogen fixation.
Calculate the amount of nitrogen fixed by a given population of bacteria.

Engage in discussions with peers on the ethical implications of nitrogen use

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Peer discussions will provide you with diverse perspectives and foster critical thinking about the ethical considerations surrounding nitrogen use and its impact on the environment.

Browse courses on Ethics

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Identify the different ethical dimensions of nitrogen use.
Discuss the potential consequences of nitrogen overuse on ecosystems and human health.
Explore alternative approaches and sustainable practices for nitrogen management.

Develop an infographic on the impact of nitrogen pollution on water quality

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Creating an infographic will allow you to synthesize and present information about nitrogen pollution and its consequences for water quality in a visually engaging manner.

Browse courses on Nitrogen Pollution

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Gather data and information on nitrogen pollution and its impact on water quality.
Choose appropriate visuals, such as charts, graphs, and images, to represent the data.
Write clear and concise text to explain the key findings and implications.

Attend a workshop on innovative solutions for nitrogen management

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Attending a workshop will expose you to cutting-edge research and practical applications in nitrogen management, expanding your knowledge and providing inspiration for future endeavors.

Browse courses on Nitrogen Management

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Research and identify relevant workshops.
Register for the workshop and actively participate in sessions.
Network with experts and practitioners in the field.

Design a nitrogen budget for a local farm

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Developing a nitrogen budget will allow you to apply your understanding of nitrogen cycling and management to a real-world scenario, enhancing your problem-solving and decision-making skills.

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Gather data on the farm's nitrogen inputs and outputs.
Analyze the data to identify areas of nitrogen surplus or deficit.
Develop recommendations for optimizing nitrogen use and reducing environmental impact.
Present your findings to the farm manager or stakeholders.

Career center

Learners who complete Nitrogen: A Global Challenge (Bhutan) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants work with companies, organizations, and governments on a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability, reducing environmental footprints, and promoting social equity. Many of their sustainability strategies directly relate to food production, and the students in this course will have the knowledge needed to advise stakeholders on how to implement effective, evidence-based solutions. Understanding the complex relationship between nitrogen, climate, and hunger is a key part of this role, and this course provides a unique opportunity to build that knowledge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study and solve environmental problems related to air, water, land, natural resources, and human health. This course will give you a deep understanding of the role of nitrogen in environmental issues, which will serve as a strong foundation for a career in this field.

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Environmental Compliance Specialist

Environmental Compliance Specialists help organizations comply with environmental regulations and avoid harming the environment. By better understanding the role of nitrogen in water and air pollution, students who take this course will be well prepared for a career in this field.

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Water Resource Specialist

Water Resource Specialists develop and manage water resources to ensure their availability and quality. This course will give you a solid understanding of the role of nitrogen in water pollution and its impacts on water ecosystems and human health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resource Specialist

Agricultural Scientist

Agricultural Scientists conduct research to improve agricultural productivity, profitability, and sustainability. This course will give you a strong foundation in the role of nitrogen in agriculture and food production.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Scientist

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate system and how it is changing. This course will help you understand the role of nitrogen in climate change and its implications for the future.

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Policy Advisor

Policy Advisors develop and implement policies that address environmental issues. This course will give you the knowledge you need to develop policies that effectively address the challenges of nitrogen pollution and climate change.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course will give you the knowledge you need to design and implement solutions to nitrogen pollution and other environmental challenges related to nitrogen.

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Ecosystem Scientist

Ecosystem Scientists study the interactions between living organisms and their environment. This course will give you a deep understanding of the role of nitrogen in ecosystems and how nitrogen pollution can impact ecosystem health.

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Environmental Chemist

Environmental Chemists study the chemical composition of the environment and how it is affected by human activities. This course will give you a strong foundation in the chemistry of nitrogen and its role in environmental pollution.

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Conservation Scientist

Conservation Scientists develop and implement strategies to protect and restore natural resources. This course will give you the knowledge you need to develop and implement strategies to protect and restore ecosystems affected by nitrogen pollution.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists study the effects of environmental factors on human health. This course will give you an understanding of the health effects of nitrogen pollution and how to mitigate these effects.

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Air Quality Specialist

Air Quality Specialists monitor and improve air quality. This course will give you a strong understanding of the role of nitrogen in air pollution and how to develop and implement strategies to improve air quality.

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Water Quality Specialist

Water Quality Specialists monitor and improve water quality. This course will give you a solid understanding of the role of nitrogen in water pollution and how to develop and implement strategies to improve water quality.

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Environmental Planner

Environmental Planners develop and implement plans to protect and improve the environment. This course will give you the knowledge you need to develop and implement plans to address the challenges of nitrogen pollution and climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner