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Age of Sustainable Development

Jeffrey D. Sachs

4.8

Based on 10 ratings

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Jeffrey D. Sachs

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

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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

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive overview of sustainable development goals

According to learners, this course provides a positive|comprehensive and timely overview of sustainable development, with a strong focus on the neutral|Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many found the positive|lectures engaging and well-structured, delivered by a positive|knowledgeable and passionate instructor. The course covers a wide range of topics, from economic history and inequality to planetary boundaries and climate change, making it suitable for neutral|both beginners and those with some prior knowledge. Some mention the course serves as an positive|excellent introduction and lays a positive|solid foundation for further study, though a few felt it occasionally sacrificed depth for breadth. The inclusion of neutral|recent data and the link to Agenda 2030 were particularly appreciated.

Covers many topics, sometimes lacking depth.

"It goes into some great detail on specific issues, while keeping a broad focus on the overall picture."

"Although due to the breadth of topics, the course cannot go into depth on each of them, it provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of sustainable development."

"Covers many topics which can be a bit overwhelming at times if you are completely new."

Relevant for various backgrounds.

"This course is relevant to a wide range of students, professionals, and policymakers."

"Recommended for anyone interested in the topic, regardless of background."

Content includes recent data and perspectives.

"It includes new perspectives and a reorientation towards Agenda 2030 and the SDGs."

"The content appears to be updated and relevant."

"Timely overview of sustainable development with recent data."

Good starting point for the topic.

"It is an excellent introduction into the field of sustainable development..."

"This course is an excellent entry point for anyone interested in sustainable development."

"Great course for getting familiar with the basics of sustainable development and SDGs."

Strong emphasis on global development goals.

"Excellent information on the SDGs, Agenda 2030 and all challenges of sustainable development."

"The course was excellent in presenting the history and importance of the SDGs."

"It provided invaluable context and insights related to Agenda 2030 and the SDGs."

Lectures are praised for quality and delivery.

"The lectures are very clear, well organized, and easy to follow."

"Jeffrey Sachs is an excellent lecturer, well prepared and enthusiastic on his topic."

"Professor Sachs is very passionate about the topic and delivers inspiring lectures."

"The lecture videos were informative and engaging."

Provides a broad look at sustainable development.

"This course provides a comprehensive, timely overview of sustainable development."

"It gives a very good overview of the complexity and the different aspects of sustainable development."

"A very good comprehensive overview of the complex topic of sustainable development."

"An excellent introduction into the field of sustainable development, giving a solid foundation of knowledge."

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

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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:

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Rights Officer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

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.

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

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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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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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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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Age of Sustainable Development.

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Provides a detailed plan for how to reverse global warming. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in the fight against climate change, particularly those who are interested in practical solutions.

Age of Sustainable Development

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Comprehensive overview of sustainable development goals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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