Age of Sustainable Development from edX

Sustainable development is the most urgent challenge facing humanity. Its fundamental question is: How can the world economy continue to develop in a way that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable? This course provides a broad overview of the interactions between the economy and our environment and humanity, from the constraints of finite resources, to the activities that drive climate change, to equality for all.

This course is an updated version of Professor Sachs' popular 2015 course of the same name. It includes new perspectives and a reorientation towards Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.

Join us for this introduction to the tenets of sustainable development, developed by experts on the latest in the social, policy and physical sciences.

This course is for:

Anyone new to the concept of sustainable development who wants to understand its foundations and its relevance to their life and work
Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students interested in the key concepts and practices of sustainability and global values
Sustainable development practitioners - as well as private-sector actors, such as those who work in corporate sustainability and responsibility - who want a concise overview of the latest developments in the field

What's inside

Learning objectives

The basics of the sustainable development goals
The role of people: from inequality, to poverty, to health and human rights

The role of the planet: planetary boundaries, the value of renewable energy, and sustainable consumption of our natural resources
How to help nations, businesses and economies flourish without leaving anyone behind

The basics of the sustainable development goals
The role of people: from inequality, to poverty, to health and human rights
The role of the planet: planetary boundaries, the value of renewable energy, and sustainable consumption of our natural resources
How to help nations, businesses and economies flourish without leaving anyone behind

Syllabus

Module 1: What is Sustainable Development?

Intro to Sustainable Development (SD)

Economic Growth & Progress

Continuing Poverty

Environmental Threats

Business-as-usual vs. SD

From the MDGs to the SDGs: Agenda 2030

Module 2: Economic Development

Incomes Around the World

Urban/Rural Inequality

Income Inequality Within Countries

Measuring Wellbeing

Convergence or Divergence

Module 3: History of Economic Development

Economic Development from 1750

Industrial Revolution

Waves of Tech Change

Diffusion of Economic Growth

Economic Development Since WWII

Module 4: Inequality Between Countries

Clinical Economics

The Role of Physical Geography: Transport, Energy, Disease, Crops

The Role of Culture: Demography, Education, Gender

The Role of Politics

Countries Stuck in Poverty

Module 5: MDGs: End of Extreme Poverty

Extreme Poverty Can End

Ending Extreme Poverty in Africa

Food Supply in South Asia

Official Development Assistance

Designing Practical Interventions: Millennium Villages Projects

Module 6: Growth Within Planetary Boundaries

The Origins of the Boundary Concept: Thomas Malthus

Neo-Malthusian Frameworks: Growth Dynamics

The 9 Planetary Boundaries

Living Within Limits: Energy, Agriculture and Industry

Module 7: Human Rights, Gender Equality

Ethics: Wealth, Poverty, Inequality

UN Declarations

Divided Societies

Forces of Widening Inequalities

Gender Inequality & Solutions

Module 8: Education

Human Development: Life-Cycle Approach

Early Childhood Development

Education & the Supply Response

Social Mobility

The Role of Higher Ed

Module 9: Universal Health Coverage

Human Right to Health

Poverty & Disease

Designing a Health System in Low-Income Countries

Healthcare for All

Health Coverage in High-Income Countries

Module 10: Sustainable Food Supply: the End of Hunger

Malnutrition

Farm Systems, Ecology, Food Security

How Environmental Change Threatens the Food System

How the Food System Threatens the Environment

A Sustainable Global Food Supply

Module 11: Sustainable Cities

Patterns of Urbanization

What Makes a City Sustainable?

Smart Infrastructure

Urban Resilience

Planning for SD

Module 12: Curbing Climate Change

Science of Climate Change

Consequences

Mitigation

Adaptation

Global Cooperation

Module 13: Saving Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity Under Threat

Oceans & Fisheries

Deforestation

International Dynamics

Module 14: The Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals

Goal-based Development

Financing for Sustainable Development

Principles of Good Governance

Is Sustainable Development Feasible?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Well-structured course for various levels of learners (beginners to advanced students)

Led by a renowned expert in sustainable development

Provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development through its 14 modules

Emphasis on practical applications, making it relevant for practitioners

Covers essential aspects of sustainability, including social, economic, and environmental perspectives

Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring relevance to global challenges

Reviews summary

Highly praised sustainability course

Learners say that the "Age of Sustainable Development" course is an informative and engaging course about the urgent need for sustainability in our society and how countries can develop their economies in sustainable ways. This highly praised course is well received by learners because of its engaging content, knowledgeable instructor, and practical application of knowledge.

Knowledgeable and engaging instructor.

"Prof Sachs is marvelous."

Covers urgent sustainability topics.

"helps to understand the pressing need for "sustainability" for future."

"This is a fantastic course with excellent topics and contents!"

Connects to real-world sustainability issues.

"linking us to the current happenings in the world around us."

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 Age of Sustainable Development with these activities:

Read "The End of Poverty" by Jeffrey D. Sachs

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Gain insights into the causes and potential solutions to global poverty from a renowned expert in the field

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

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Purchase or borrow the book
Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight important passages
Summarize the book's main arguments and insights

Review human development principles

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Review the basic principles of human development by exploring the concept from various lenses and vantage points to get a holistic understanding

Browse courses on Human Development

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Read articles and books on human development
Watch videos and documentaries on the topic
Discuss the topic with peers and experts

Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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Engage in regular study sessions with a group of peers to discuss course concepts, share insights, and work on assignments together

Browse courses on Collaborative Learning

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Find a group of peers to study with
Set regular meeting times and locations
Prepare for each session by reviewing course materials
Participate actively in discussions

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Develop a case study on sustainable development implementation

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Create a detailed case study that provides a holistic overview of the implementation of sustainable development principles in a real-world context

Browse courses on Case study

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Identify a suitable case study
Research and gather relevant data
Analyze the data and develop insights
Write the case study report

Start a blog or vlog to share your insights on sustainable development

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Enhance your understanding of sustainable development by regularly writing or talking about it, and by sharing your knowledge with others

Browse courses on Blogging

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Choose a platform for your blog or vlog
Develop a content calendar
Create and publish high-quality content
Promote your blog or vlog
Engage with your audience

Practice solving case studies on sustainable development

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Develop your problem-solving skills by working through a series of case studies that address real-world challenges in sustainable development

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Find a collection of case studies
Select a case study to work on
Read the case study carefully
Identify the key issues and challenges
Develop and evaluate potential solutions

Design a social impact project related to sustainable development

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Apply your understanding of sustainable development principles by creating a project that addresses a specific social or environmental issue

Browse courses on Social Impact

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Identify a specific social or environmental issue to address
Develop a project plan that outlines your goals, objectives, and activities
Implement your project and monitor its progress
Evaluate the impact of your project and make adjustments as needed

Career center

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

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of economics. You will learn about the major theories of economics, as well as the methods used to conduct economic research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on development, sustainability, and environmental policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment and its interaction with humans. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of environmental science. You will learn about the major environmental issues facing the world today, as well as the methods used to study and solve these issues. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of environmental science. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on sustainable development and climate change.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study the relationships between people and the environment. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of sociology. You will learn about the major theories of sociology, as well as the methods used to conduct sociological research. This knowledge will be essential for success in almost any career in the field. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on policy and sustainable development.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and environmental interactions. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of geography. You will learn about the major theories of geography, as well as the methods used to conduct geographic research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of geography. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on sustainable development and environmental planning.

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International Development Specialist

International development specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of international development. You will learn about the major theories of international development, as well as the methods used to conduct international development research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of international development. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on poverty reduction, health, and education.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability managers develop and implement sustainability plans for organizations. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of sustainability management. You will learn about the major theories of sustainability management, as well as the methods used to conduct sustainability management research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of sustainability management. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on corporate social responsibility and environmental impact.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners design and plan the use of land and buildings in urban areas. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of urban planning. You will learn about the major theories of urban planning, as well as the methods used to conduct urban planning research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of urban planning. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on sustainable development and smart growth.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental policy analysts develop and evaluate policies to protect the environment. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of environmental policy analysis. You will learn about the major theories of environmental policy analysis, as well as the methods used to conduct environmental policy analysis research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of environmental policy analysis. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on climate change, air pollution, and water quality.

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Climate Change Analyst

Climate change analysts study the causes and effects of climate change. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of climate change analysis. You will learn about the major theories of climate change analysis, as well as the methods used to conduct climate change analysis research. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of climate change analysis. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on mitigation, adaptation, and policy.

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Human Rights Officer

Human rights officers work to protect and promote human rights. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of human rights. You will learn about the major human rights treaties and conventions, as well as the methods used to monitor and enforce human rights. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of human rights. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on civil and political rights, economic and social rights, and minority rights.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of nonprofit management. You will learn about the major theories of nonprofit management, as well as the methods used to manage nonprofit organizations. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of nonprofit management. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on fundraising, program development, and evaluation.

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Energy Analyst

Energy analysts study the production, distribution, and consumption of energy. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of energy analysis. You will learn about the major energy sources, as well as the methods used to conduct energy analysis. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of energy analysis. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate change.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate social responsibility managers develop and implement corporate social responsibility programs for businesses. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of corporate social responsibility. You will learn about the major theories of corporate social responsibility, as well as the methods used to develop and implement corporate social responsibility programs. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of corporate social responsibility. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on sustainability, ethics, and stakeholder engagement.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants help businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of environmental consulting. You will learn about the major environmental regulations, as well as the methods used to conduct environmental assessments and audits. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of environmental consulting. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on air quality, water quality, and hazardous waste.

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Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific information to the public. This course may be useful for those who wish to enter the field of science writing. It will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of science writing. You will learn about the major theories of science writing, as well as the methods used to write effective science articles. This knowledge will be essential for success in any career in the field of science writing. It will be especially useful in areas that focus on environmental science and sustainability.

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