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The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future

Approx. 10 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides an overview of global sustainable development, examining the most pressing issues facing our planet today and offering potential solutions.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how they aim to address global challenges
Explore the concept of sustainable development and its various dimensions, including economic, social, and environmental sustainability
Examine case studies of sustainable development initiatives from around the world

Learning Outcomes

Understand the complexities of global sustainable development
Identify potential solutions to global sustainability challenges
Develop a critical perspective on sustainable development initiatives

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

There are no prerequisites for this course
A basic understanding of global issues is helpful

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Climate Change and Global Sustainability

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Description

In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted by 193 member states, the goals represent an important international step in setting humanity on a trajectory towards sustainable development. Within this course, you will get a historical overview of how sustainability has been understood, as well as a thorough introduction to the SDGs – what they are, how progress can be measured, and how the SDGs are relevant for the management of the global systems supporting humanity. The course will examine how various societal actors are responding to and implementing the SDGs.

While all of the SDGs are essential to sustainable development, SDG 13, Climate Action, is usually perceived as the most urgent in terms of the need for a swift implementation on a global scale. Therefore, particular focus is given to this SDG. Through the course, you will gain up-to-date knowledge of the current understanding of human impacts on the Earth at the planetary level. Progress towards establishing global management of human interactions with the climate system within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is also discussed. The course is designed and taught by Professor Katherine Richardson, who is a member of the 15-person panel appointed by the UN General Secretary in 2016 to write the 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report. In each lecture, Katherine interviews experts who provide insights relevant to the topic at hand.

Outline

Sustainable Development as a Global Goal
A history of sustainable development
How do we measure progress?
SDG Interactions – One for All and All for One!
The sustainable development goals
A Guide to SDG Interactions, ICSU, 2017
Week 1

Managing human impacts on the natural world
The Anthropocene
Planetary boundaries and biodiversity
Resilience
Agriculture production as a major driver of the Earth system exceeding planetary boundaries
Resilience and disaster risk reduction: an etymological journey
Week 2

Social sustainability and the way forward
The human condition
Inequality
The way forward
World Food Programme: Hunger and Climate Change
Kate Raworth: Doughnut Economics
Week 3

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the importance of global sustainable development with this highly rated course on Coursera. Many users found the course to be engaging and informative, with a great balance between theory and real-world examples.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Great balance between theory and real-world examples

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative content
Highly relevant to current global issues
Great supplementary materials and resources provided
Instructors are knowledgeable and responsive
Encourages critical thinking and active participation

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too broad and lacking in depth
Course workload can be heavy at times
Limited interaction with other students
Not suitable for those looking for a quick overview of sustainable development
Some technical difficulties with the online platform

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