Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society from edX

Our society today is facing many challenges: climate change, hunger, inequality,…

Although you probably have heard about or even personally experienced many of them, the information we get about these issues is often fragmented, incomplete, biased or even completely wrong.

Our team of experts will introduce you to different global challenges we face today and how they are linked to one another. This course will give you a good basic understanding of each of the challenges, their interrelationships and where we may look for possible solutions.

On top of an update of your knowledge on these challenges, you will learn to understand the data, see the bigger picture, and formulate knowledge-based arguments.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Know the current state of the challenges and, using this knowledge, be able to test and interpret new information that reaches you regarding these challenges.
Develop the reflex to critically approach and verify statements around the topics discussed and be able to take a position based on facts and rational considerations
Know where to find and how to interpret crucial (numerical) material on these challenges.
Become aware that the world is constantly evolving and have the reflex to update your knowledge.

Gain insight into the relationship between different issues and, when dealing with one issue understand the implications for the other challenges.
Understand why people often hold mistaken views (and which are the main ones) and know how to counter them.
By following this course, you will:

Know the current state of the challenges and, using this knowledge, be able to test and interpret new information that reaches you regarding these challenges.
Develop the reflex to critically approach and verify statements around the topics discussed and be able to take a position based on facts and rational considerations
Know where to find and how to interpret crucial (numerical) material on these challenges.
Become aware that the world is constantly evolving and have the reflex to update your knowledge.
Gain insight into the relationship between different issues and, when dealing with one issue understand the implications for the other challenges.
Understand why people often hold mistaken views (and which are the main ones) and know how to counter them.
By following this course, you will:

Syllabus

Climate change : on how climate has changed and is changing, why this is happening, what the consequences are and what possible solutions are, both on a personal and an institutional level.

Biodiversity : on what biodiversity is and its current state is, why biodiversity matters, what the main threats are and how we can prevent and reverse biodiversity loss.

Demography : on how population sizes have changed over time, why this has happened, what this means for the future and how we can influence these processes.

Energy : on how to reduce the impact of energy production and how to minimize energy consumption.

Raw materials and circular economy : on were materials come from, how and with what impact they are processed and discarded, and how circular economy presents a sustainable alternative.

Food security : on meeting the food demands of a growing world population, with limited land available, while minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Buildings : on the impact of the construction of buildings, the energy use of buildings and the effects of urban planning.

Mobility : on the impact of person and freight transport and sustainable transport solutions.

Economics of sustainable development : on the connection between economy and environment and the shortcomings and opportunities of economics for sustainable development.

Social and economic inequality : on trends in inequality, the drivers behind it and how inequality is linked to all aspects of sustainability.

Human behavior : on the psychology of people’s behavior and how we can influence people towards the wanted behavior.

Global Governance : on the role of law and lawyers in enabling or blocking sustainability and international negotiations and its challenges.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces important global challenges facing society today

Covers a wide range of topics, providing a comprehensive understanding of interconnected problems

Provides tools and skills to critically analyze information and make informed decisions

Emphasizes the need to continually update knowledge as the world evolves

Taught by experts in their respective fields, ensuring high-quality content and insights

Suitable for individuals interested in developing a broad understanding of global challenges and sustainability

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 Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society with these activities:

Review math skills

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Brushing up on math skills will improve problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Browse courses on Algebra

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Go through old math notes and practice problems.
Review statistics and data analysis techniques.

Read 'Our Common Future' by the Brundtland Commission

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept of sustainable development.

View Madam Prime Minister on Amazon

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Read the executive summary and introduction.
Explore the chapters on 'The Global Agenda for Change' and 'International Cooperation'.

Join a study group or discussion forum

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Engage in discussions, share perspectives, and learn from peers.

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Find a group or forum relevant to the course.
Participate actively in discussions.

Five other activities

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Create a presentation on a specific global challenge

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Develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills while deepening knowledge on a specific challenge.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Choose a challenge and research its causes and consequences.
Gather data and create visual aids to support your presentation.
Practice delivering your presentation.

Develop a personal sustainability plan

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Apply course concepts to personal life, foster environmental consciousness, and encourage behavior change.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Assess current lifestyle and identify areas for improvement.
Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
Implement changes and track progress.

Volunteer with an environmental organization

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Gain practical experience, make a positive contribution, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Browse courses on Environmental Conservation

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Research local environmental organizations.
Contact organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Organize and review course materials

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Strengthen understanding, improve recall, and prepare for assessments.

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Create a system for organizing notes, assignments, and readings.
Review materials regularly and make connections between concepts.

Contribute to an open-source environmental project

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Gain practical experience, develop technical skills, and contribute to the global community.

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Identify open-source projects related to environmental issues.
Find a specific task or area to contribute to.

Career center

Learners who complete Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Analyst

In the role of a Sustainability Analyst, you would review and report on corporate sustainability performance. Additionally, you would research and identify emerging sustainability issues and trends. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial, as it would help you build a foundation in current environmental and social issues, as well as their interconnections, which would enable you to make more informed decisions and provide insightful analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Environmental Engineer

As an Environmental Engineer, you would design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This may involve working on projects such as water treatment plants, air pollution control systems, and renewable energy systems. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a broad understanding of the environmental challenges facing our planet and how to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Conservation Biologist

As a Conservation Biologist, you would work to protect and restore biodiversity. This may involve conducting research, managing conservation areas, and educating the public about the importance of biodiversity. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the threats facing biodiversity and how to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Biologist

Urban Planner

As an Urban Planner, you would design and implement plans for the development of cities and towns. This may involve working on projects such as transportation systems, parks, and housing. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing cities and how to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Sustainability Consultant

As a Sustainability Consultant, you would advise businesses and organizations on how to operate in a sustainable manner. This could involve helping them to reduce their environmental impact, improve their social responsibility, and increase their economic sustainability. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing our planet and how to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Climate Scientist

As a Climate Scientist, you would study the Earth's climate system and how it is changing. This may involve conducting research, developing models, and advising policymakers. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a strong foundation in the science of climate change and its impacts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Environmental Lawyer

In the role of an Environmental Lawyer, you would use your legal expertise to protect the environment. This may involve working for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with an in-depth understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that are used to protect the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Policy Analyst

As a Policy Analyst, you would analyze public policies and make recommendations for how to improve them. This may involve working for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a strong foundation in the analysis of public policy and its implications for sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Environmental Economist

As an Environmental Economist, you would use economic tools to analyze environmental issues. This may involve studying the costs and benefits of pollution control, valuing ecosystem services, or developing sustainable development policies. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a strong foundation in the economics of sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Social Entrepreneur

As a Social Entrepreneur, you would use business principles to solve social and environmental problems. This may involve starting your own business or working for a non-profit organization. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing our planet and how to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Geographer

As a Geographer, you would study the Earth's surface and its human and physical features. This may involve studying topics such as climate, landforms, and vegetation. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a broad understanding of the physical and human geography of our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

Demographer

As a Demographer, you would study human populations and their dynamics. This may involve studying population growth, migration, and mortality. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a strong foundation in the study of population and its relationship to the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Demographer

Journalist

As a Journalist, you would report on current events and issues. This may involve writing articles, producing videos, or making podcasts. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a deep understanding of the challenges facing our planet and how to communicate them to a wider audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Environmental Scientist

As an Environmental Scientist, you would analyze environmental problems and develop solutions to address them. This Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course may be useful to you, as it offers guidance on various environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and energy, as well as how these challenges are interconnected and how we can find sustainable solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Teacher

As a Teacher, you would educate students about a variety of subjects. This may involve teaching at the primary, secondary, or post-secondary level. The Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society course would be highly beneficial to you, as it would provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing our planet and how to teach about them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society

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Syllabus

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