The Great Sustainability Transition: Global challenges, Local actions from Coursera

Drastic shifts are needed. Get the knowledge and skills to take local action.

Setting the stage: Why do we care?

Learn about sustainability and staying with the environmental boundaries of our planet. Understand the effects of growing affluence and population growth, and the key challenges we are facing. By participating in the local action exercises you learn how to influence your direct environment. The activities are diverse, from participating in a citizen science project to having discussions with people on climate change. From determining biodiversity around you, to understanding the environmental impacts of one of your meals.

Week 1: Biodiversity

How much land do we use for feed humanity? And how does meat consumption impact energy flows on the planet? In this first week we will explore how humans have transformed the world around them, and how this impacts other living organisms. We discuss key challenges which drive biodiversity decline, and focus on ways to preserve our biodiversity. As a Local Action, you will explore your local biodiversity and ways to improve and protect it.

Week 2: Climate breakdown

Why is climate change such an urgent crisis? What are current climate impacts and how much more can we expect? In this second week we will understand the mechanics of climate change and grasp the enormity of the changes being wrought on the planet. We will describe the different gases that contribute to climate change, and which sector they come from across energy and food systems. We will talk about how to address climate change including mitigation, adaptation, and suffering. As a local action, you will discuss climate change openly, constructively and acceptingly with a friend or family member.

Week 3: Pollution

Pollution is everywhere, from air to water, from soils to our bodies. We’ll explore the impacts different pollutants have on the environment and on human health. We will also focus on some of the unexpected effects related to pollution. As a Local Action you will be collecting trash around your home.

Week 4: The great transitions

Why are we continuing to overexploit crucial resources even though we know the devastating long term consequences for our planet? And why don’t we transition our energy and food systems, even though we know they drive climate breakdown? Explore why collective action is so difficult on environmental challenges, but also provide examples were changes were successful. We will discuss fear and hope at a unique time of human civilization. As a Local Action you will analyse the footprint of one of your meals.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Biodiversity

In this week we will first introduce the concept of planetary boundaries within which humanity can safely exist. Next, we will focus on one of the key planetary boundaries, biodiversity and how humans are impacting biodiversity. To do this we will do the following: First we will give you a general understanding on the scale of the issue. Next, we will discuss the importance of biodiversity, and explore how we can value biodiversity. Third, we will focus on the key threats which are driving biodiversity loss. Finally, we will, we explore conservation efforts related to maintaining biodiversity. In addition you will go out and find biodiversity within your own community, as a local action. This will be done using an app, which is linked to a citizen science project.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the importance of environmental awareness and planetary boundaries

Develops skills for fostering environmental activism and influencing local change

Provides practical local action exercises for implementing environmental stewardship

Offers a comprehensive overview of environmental issues, including biodiversity, climate change, and pollution

Is taught by experienced instructors who are recognized for their work in sustainability

Provides opportunities to apply knowledge and skills to real-world environmental challenges

Reviews summary

Sustainability transition: global challenges, local actions

According to learners, this course provides a comprehensive overview of global sustainability challenges, particularly regarding biodiversity, climate breakdown, and pollution. Students found the content to be well-structured and the instructors highly knowledgeable and engaging. A unique and frequently praised aspect is the emphasis on practical local actions, which helps translate complex global issues into tangible personal efforts. While some found the theoretical depth sufficient, a few suggested opportunities for deeper dives into specific solutions, making it an excellent foundational course for anyone interested in environmental sustainability.

Excellent for beginners; may lack depth for advanced learners.

"As someone new to sustainability, this course gave me a very solid foundation and motivated me to learn more."

"For a beginner, the course is perfect. It covers a lot of ground without overwhelming you with jargon."

"I already had some background, so while the overview was good, I wished for more advanced data or specific solution deep-dives."

Addresses challenges with a balanced and empowering outlook.

"I found the discussion on fear and hope in Week 4 particularly insightful and realistic, yet empowering."

"The course didn't shy away from the gravity of the issues but also offered pathways for positive change."

"It inspires action rather than despair."

Instructors are highly knowledgeable and passionate.

"The instructors are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, making even complex topics easy to digest."

"I enjoyed the lectures delivered by Thijs and Paul; they were very engaging and clearly experts in their fields."

"Their enthusiasm for the subject matter made the learning experience truly enjoyable and inspiring."

Offers a broad, accessible understanding of key sustainability issues.

"This course provided a really comprehensive and well-rounded overview of the main sustainability challenges we face."

"I appreciated the way the course covered biodiversity, climate, and pollution in an integrated manner, giving a holistic view."

"It’s a great introduction to sustainability, covering the breadth of global environmental problems effectively."

Unique practical exercises encourage personal engagement.

"The 'Local Action' exercises were a fantastic addition, allowing me to apply concepts directly to my own environment."

"I particularly valued the assignments like collecting trash and discussing climate change with family, it felt impactful."

"This course wasn't just theoretical; the practical actions made it feel very relevant and empowering."

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 Great Sustainability Transition: Global challenges, Local actions with these activities:

Revisit concepts on biodiversity

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Refreshes your understanding of key concepts and establishes background in biodiversity, making it easier to grasp the challenges and solutions covered in the course.

Browse courses on Biodiversity

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Review lecture notes, textbooks or online resources on biodiversity basics.
Reflect on past experiences or knowledge related to biodiversity.

Practice identifying different types of plants and animals in your local area

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The best way to learn the different types of plants and animals in your local area is to go out and look for them.

Browse courses on Biodiversity

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Find a local park, nature reserve, or other area where you can observe plants and animals.
Take a walk around the area and try to identify as many different types of plants and animals as you can.
Use a field guide or online resources to help you with identification.

Explore online tutorials on climate science

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Strengthens your foundation in climate breakdown, enabling you to better comprehend the complexities and urgency discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Identify reputable organizations or platforms offering online tutorials on climate science.
Choose tutorials that align with specific aspects of climate change you want to deepen your understanding of.
Follow the tutorials, taking notes and actively engaging with the material.

Eight other activities

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Conduct a site survey prior to starting the course

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Start off your studies by observing your immediate surroundings to better understand a local ecosystem and the effects that humans have already had upon it.

Browse courses on Biodiversity

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Identify a local area to start the survey, such as a nearby park, forest, or other green space.
Take a slow walk around the area, making note of the different types of plants, animals, and other organisms you see.
Identify any human-made structures or activities that may be impacting the ecosystem.
Take photographs or make sketches of the area to document your observations.
Write a brief report summarizing your findings, including any recommendations for how to improve the ecosystem.

Review the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

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Silent Spring is a classic work of environmental literature that will help you understand the importance of biodiversity and the threats it faces.

View Silent Spring on Amazon

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Read the book.
Write a summary of the book.
Discuss the book with a friend or family member.

Watch a documentary about climate change

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Documentaries can be a great way to learn about complex topics in a clear and engaging way.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Find a documentary about climate change.
Watch the documentary.
Write a summary of the documentary.

Practice identifying and analyzing air pollution data

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Develops your ability to analyze pollution data, enhancing your comprehension of pollution's impact and mitigation strategies presented in the course.

Browse courses on Air Pollution

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Find online datasets or platforms that provide air pollution data.
Choose a specific pollutant or location to focus on.
Analyze the data using statistical or visualization tools.
Draw insights and identify patterns within the pollution data.

Develop a local action plan for preserving local wildlife

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A great way to deepen your understanding of local wildlife is by creating a plan to help sustain or improve their future existence.

Browse courses on Biodiversity

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Research the local wildlife in your area and identify the threats they face.
Develop a list of actions that can be taken to address these threats.
Create a plan for implementing these actions.
Share your plan with local officials and community groups.
Monitor the progress of your plan and make adjustments as needed.

Participate in a local environmental cleanup

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Getting involved in your community is a great way to put your sustainability lessons to work.

Browse courses on Pollution

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Find a local environmental cleanup event.
Volunteer to help out.
Work with other volunteers to clean up the environment.

Join a climate change advocacy group

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Advocacy is essential for creating change. Climate change is no exception.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Find a climate change advocacy group in your area.
Join the group.
Participate in the group's activities.

Write a summary of a scientific article on energy transitions

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Solidifies your understanding of complex scientific concepts related to energy transitions and prepares you for discussions and analysis in the course.

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Select a scientific article on energy transitions from a reputable journal.
Read and comprehend the article thoroughly.
Extract key findings and summarize the main points of the article in your own words.

Career center

Learners who complete The Great Sustainability Transition: Global challenges, Local actions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability, including the environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It also covers the tools and techniques used to measure and manage sustainability performance. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a sustainability manager, and it can also help you understand the complex sustainability challenges facing organizations today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Policy Advisor

Policy advisors provide advice to governments and non-profit organizations on policy issues. This course provides a strong foundation in policy analysis, including the principles of policy development, implementation, and evaluation. It also covers the tools and techniques used to analyze policy issues, and to develop and evaluate policy options. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a policy advisor, and it can also help you understand the complex policy challenges facing governments and non-profit organizations today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Advisor

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course provides a solid foundation in environmental science, including the causes and effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also covers the principles of environmental engineering, such as water treatment, air pollution control, and waste management. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental engineer, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental lawyers advise businesses and governments on environmental law and regulation. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental law, including the principles of environmental protection, pollution control, and climate change law. It also covers the tools and techniques used to litigate environmental cases. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental lawyer, and it can also help you understand the complex legal challenges facing businesses and governments today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental policy analysts develop and analyze environmental policies for governments and non-profit organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental policy, including the principles of environmental protection, pollution control, and climate change policy. It also covers the tools and techniques used to evaluate environmental policies. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental policy analyst, and it can also help you understand the complex policy challenges facing governments and non-profit organizations today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Conservation Scientist

Conservation scientists study the decline of species and habitats and develop strategies to protect them. This course provides a strong foundation in ecology, including the principles of biodiversity conservation and the threats to biodiversity. It also covers the tools and techniques used to manage and restore natural ecosystems. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a conservation scientist, and it can also help you understand the complex challenges facing biodiversity conservation today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists research environmental problems and develop solutions to protect the environment and human health. This course provides a solid foundation in environmental science, including the causes and effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also covers the principles of sustainability and the challenges of transitioning to a more sustainable future. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental scientist, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Environmental Economist

Environmental economists use economic principles to analyze environmental issues. This course provides a strong foundation in economics, including the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. It also covers the tools and techniques used to value environmental goods and services, and to analyze the costs and benefits of environmental policies. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental economist, and it can also help you understand the complex economic challenges facing environmental protection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Environmental Activist

Environmental activists work to protect the environment by organizing campaigns, lobbying governments, and raising public awareness about environmental issues. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental science, including the causes and effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also covers the principles of activism, such as campaign organizing and public speaking. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental activist, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Activist

Environmental Educator

Environmental educators develop and implement educational programs about environmental issues. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental science, including the causes and effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also covers the principles of environmental education, such as curriculum development and teaching methods. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental educator, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator

Environmental Journalist

Environmental journalists report on environmental issues for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. This course provides a strong foundation in environmental science, including the causes and effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also covers the principles of journalism, such as news writing and reporting. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental journalist, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Journalist

Climate Change Analyst

Climate change analysts collect and analyze data on climate change to help businesses and governments understand the risks and opportunities associated with climate change. This course provides a strong foundation in climate science, including the causes and effects of climate change. It also covers the principles of climate change mitigation and adaptation. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a climate change analyst, and it can also help you understand the complex challenges of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific information to a broader audience. This course provides a strong foundation in science writing, including the principles of clear and concise writing. It also covers the tools and techniques used to write for different audiences, such as newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a science writer, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants provide advice to businesses and governments on environmental issues. This course provides a broad overview of environmental science, including the causes and effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also covers the principles of environmental law and regulation. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an environmental consultant, and it can also help you understand the complex environmental challenges facing businesses and governments today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Energy Analyst

Energy analysts collect and analyze data on energy production, consumption, and prices to help businesses and governments make informed decisions about energy policy. This course provides a strong foundation in energy economics, including the principles of energy markets and the environmental impacts of energy production. It also covers the tools and techniques used to forecast energy demand and supply. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an energy analyst, and it can also help you understand the complex challenges facing the energy sector today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Analyst