The Age of Sustainable Development from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Materials

Information about the general course structure and reading list can be found here.

What is Sustainable Development?

Professor Sachs provides an overview of the challenges the world faces, and introduces the topic of sustainable development.

Inequality Around the World

Professor Sachs delves into the reasons for and the measurements of inequality between and within countries.

A Short History of Economic Development

Professor Sachs provides a history of economic development, starting with the Industrial Revolution and ending with the current state of modern economic growth.

The History of Inequality

Professor Sachs analyzes the intersecting roles of various factors that contribute to some countries advancing while others do not.

The MDGs and the End of Extreme Poverty

Professor Sachs outlines the pathways for achieving the end of extreme poverty.

Growth within Planetary Boundaries

Professor Sachs details the various planetary boundaries and their implications for growth dynamics.

Human Rights and Gender Equality

Professor Sachs delves into the ethics of wealth, poverty and inequality as well as the forces that widen inequalities.

Education

Professor Sachs provides an overview of the state of modern education, and what needs to be achieved for sustainable development.

Universal Health Coverage

Professor Sachs provides an overview of the challenges and pathways to achieving universal health coverage.

Sustainable Food Supply and the End of Hunger

Professor Sachs provides an overview of food security, farm systems, and ecology and reviews what can be done to achieve a sustainable global food supply.

Sustainable Cities

Professor Sachs looks into what makes a city sustainable, the patterns of urbanization, and pathways for urban resilience around the world.

Curbing Climate Change

Professor Sachs provides an introduction to the science behind climate change, and describes the negotiations and policies that are necessary to mitigate and prevent the consequences.

Saving Biodiversity

Professor Sachs reviews the various threats to the world's ecosystem and biodiversity.

The SDGs

Professor Sachs recounts the history of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and describes what is necessary to achieve them.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides an in-depth exploration of sustainable development, covering its challenges and pathways

Taught by Jeffrey Sachs, an internationally recognized expert in sustainable development

Examines the history of economic development and inequality, providing valuable context for understanding sustainable development

Covers key topics such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and education, equipping learners with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development

Suitable for advanced learners with a strong foundation in economics, environmental studies, or related fields

Reviews summary

Well-received sustainable development course

Learners say that this course on Sustainable Development is well-received and informative. Professor Sachs does a great job at presenting interesting, relevant content in a clear, simple way. The course is easy to follow and even beginners can quickly understand the basics. However, it should be noted that some of the information provided in the course is outdated and doesn’t mention major political changes that have occurred since 2013.

The course presents important real-world information about Sustainable Development in a clear, understandable way.

"A very interesting class, with a wide range of topics to learn ."

"I have a background in sustainable development and still found this course informative and fascinating."

"It's a comprehensive course covering a wide range of topics related to economic development from its history to socioeconomic, geopolitical issues that threaten the future of our planet."

Professor Sachs is an excellent instructor with a great ability to present interesting content.

"Sachs is a wonderful profesor, and the exams are full of very interesting databases!"

"Jeffrey Sachs is incredibly knowledgable and, as a bonus, very pleasant to listen to"

"Professor Sachs has provided an in-depth analysis of the situation and insight into measures and actions to cope with climate change and biodiversity"

The course information is mostly outdated and doesn't include current information.

"the course is somewhat out of date - much of the information relates to 2013."

"This means that not only are we not working with the latest information, but major political changes since are not accounted for. "

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 The Age of Sustainable Development with these activities:

Read 'The End of Poverty' by Jeffrey Sachs

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Jeffrey Sachs' book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and solutions to global poverty.

View A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Read through the book, taking notes as you go.
Summarize the key arguments and recommendations presented in the book.

Form a Sustainable Development Study Group

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Collaborating with peers will enhance your understanding of complex concepts and provide different perspectives on sustainable development.

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Reach out to other students in your class or program.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course materials and assignments.

Review UN's Sustainable Develop Goals

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Getting familiar with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals early will help you understand the course's scope and core topics.

Browse courses on Sustainable Development Goals

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Visit the UN's official website for the SDGs.
Read through the 17 goals and their targets.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Take an Online Course on Climate Change

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Taking an additional course on climate change will provide you with a deeper understanding of the science and policy surrounding this critical issue.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Search for online courses on climate change offered by reputable institutions.
Enroll in a course that fits your schedule and interests.
Complete the course, participating in discussions and completing assignments.

Attend a Workshop on Sustainable Development Goals

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Attending a workshop will provide you with insights from experts and allow you to network with professionals in the field of sustainable development.

Browse courses on Sustainable Development Goals

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Search for workshops on Sustainable Development Goals in your area.
Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.

Calculate Ecological Footprint

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Practicing calculating ecological footprints will help you understand the concepts of sustainability and environmental impact.

Browse courses on Ecological Footprint

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Go to the Global Footprint Network website.
Use their online calculator to calculate your ecological footprint.
Reflect on your results and identify areas where you can reduce your impact.

Volunteer with a Local Sustainability Organization

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Volunteering will allow you to apply your knowledge and contribute directly to sustainability efforts in your community.

Browse courses on Sustainable Development

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Research local sustainability organizations.
Identify organizations that align with your interests.
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Develop a Sustainability Plan for a Local Business

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Creating a sustainability plan will allow you to apply the principles of sustainable development to a real-world scenario.

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Choose a local business that you are familiar with.
Research their current sustainability practices.
Identify areas where they can improve their sustainability.
Develop a plan outlining your recommendations.
Present your plan to their management team.

Contribute to an Open-Source Sustainability Project

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Contributing to open-source projects allows you to collaborate with others and apply your learning to real-world sustainability initiatives.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects related to sustainability.
Review their documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Fork the project and make your changes.
Submit a pull request with your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete The Age of Sustainable Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainable Food Systems Manager

Sustainable Food Systems Managers develop and implement sustainable food systems that provide healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly food for all. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with developing sustainable food systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Food Systems Manager

Sustainable Business Manager

Sustainable Business Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for businesses. They work to reduce the environmental and social impact of business operations, and to promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Business Manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise businesses, governments, and nonprofits on how to operate in a sustainable way. They help organizations develop and implement sustainability strategies, measure their environmental and social impact, and report on their progress. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Educators develop and deliver educational programs on sustainability to students, businesses, and the general public. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be highly relevant to this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Educator

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists conduct research to understand the environment and the impact of human activities on it. They develop and implement solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be very helpful for this role, as it would provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental challenges facing the world today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Climate Change Specialist

Climate Change Specialists research the causes and effects of climate change, and develop and implement strategies to mitigate and adapt to its impacts. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be very helpful for this role, as it would provide a comprehensive overview of the science and policy of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Specialist

Sustainable Urban Planner

Sustainable Urban Planners develop and implement plans for sustainable cities. They work to create cities that are livable, equitable, and environmentally friendly. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with developing sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Urban Planner

Renewable Energy Project Developer

Renewable Energy Project Developers develop and implement projects to generate renewable energy from sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with developing renewable energy projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Project Developer

International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. They design and implement programs in areas such as education, health care, and economic development. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development in developing countries.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Specialist

Water Resources Manager

Water Resources Managers develop and implement strategies to manage water resources in a sustainable way. They work to protect water quality, quantity, and distribution, and to ensure that water resources are available for future generations. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing water resources sustainably.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Environmental Economist

Environmental Economists apply economic principles to environmental issues. They research the costs and benefits of environmental policies, and develop tools to help policymakers make informed decisions. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies. They research issues, analyze data, and make recommendations to policymakers. The "Age of Sustainable Development" would be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the policy challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They work to develop and implement programs, raise funds, and manage staff. The "Age of Sustainable Development" may be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing a nonprofit organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs develop and implement innovative solutions to social problems. The "Age of Sustainable Development" may be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with developing sustainable solutions to social problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers represent clients in environmental disputes and advise them on environmental law. The "Age of Sustainable Development" may be helpful for this role, as it would provide a deep understanding of the legal challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer