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The Sustainability Imperative
  • Level Foundation
  • المدة 17 ساعات hours
  • الطبع بواسطة University of Colorado Boulder
  • Offered by

عن

In this course, learners begin with a macro-level view of the current state of the world and touch upon topics such as climate change, plastic pollution, social inequity, and the economic systems that got us to where we are today. Learners investigate how such an economy cannot sustain itself and the need for a rapid transition to something different. We define sustainability, the meaning of sustainable development, and the United Nations' Sustainability Goals. Recognizing that change is imperative, we begin looking at energy, and more specifically, power generation as this is widely understood as the leading cause of climate change today. We show why this is the case and explore pathways to reduce carbon emissions, such as through the transition from coal and natural gas to renewables such as wind and solar. The concept of the carbon footprint and how it is determined is introduced. Learners have the opportunity to calculate their own personal carbon footprint under a variety of power source options (coal, natural gas, or renewable), and discover what would happen to their personal carbon footprint if they moved toward renewable energies.

الوحدات

Climate Change: The Existential Threat

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Introduce Yourself!

2 Videos

  • Course Welcome
  • Climate Change: The Existential Threat

Consequences of a Warming Planet

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Consequences of a Warming Planet

Ocean Acidification

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Ocean Acidification

Our Living Planet: Biodiversity on the Brink

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Our Living Planet: Biodiversity on the Brink

1 Readings

  • Climate Change: Evidence and Causes

Plastic Planet

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Climate Change in our Personal Lives

1 Videos

  • Plastic Planet

Enter the Anthropocene

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Enter the Anthropocene

1 Readings

  • Planetary Boundaries: Guiding Human Development on a Changing planet

Economic Inequality and Social Inequity

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • The Challenge of Social Inequity and Economic Inequality

And Finally, Some Good News!

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Climate Change Consequences

1 Videos

  • And finally, some good news!

Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Gases are Increasing

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Greenhouse Gases are Increasing

GHGs are Increasing Because of Us

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • GHGs are Increasing... Because of Us

GHGs: Not Just Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • GHGs: Not Just Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Albedo and Other Self-Reinforcing Impacts

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Albedo and Other Self-Reinforcing Impacts

GHGs and Where They Come From

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • GHGs and Where They Come From

The Paris Climate Agreement and the Need to Reduce GHGs by 2030

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • The Paris Climate Agreement and the Need to Reduce GHGs by 2030

Week 2 Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Greenhouse Effect

Carbon Equity

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Carbon Equity

Business Growth and the Product Lifecycle

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Business Growth and the Product Lifecycle

Doughnut Economics

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Kate Raworth TED Talk

1 Videos

  • Doughnut Economics

Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Development

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Development

The IPAT Equation and What It Tells Us

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • The IPAT Equation and What It Tells Us

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

1 Videos

  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Fossil Fuels: Coal, Natural Gas, and Oil

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Fossil Fuels: Coal, Natural Gas, and Oil

Fossil Fuels: Heat and Getting Our Units Right

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Fossil Fuels: Heat and Getting Our Units Right

Power Generation Basics

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Power Generation Basics

GHGs from Coal and Natural Gas Plants

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • GHGs from Coal and Natural Gas Plants

What about Nuclear Power?

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Nuclear Power

1 Videos

  • What about Nuclear Power?

Power Generation: Pathways to Net Zero Carbon

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Power Generation: Pathways to Net Zero Carbon

Week 4 Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Fossil Fuels and the Need for Change

Hydroelectricity

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Hydroelectricity

Wind Power

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Wind Power

Solar Energy

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Solar Energy

Energy Storage

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Energy Storage

Renewable Energy Technologies on the Horizon

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Renewable Energy Technologies on the Horizon

Transitioning to Renewable Energy: How are we doing?

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Transitioning to Renewable Energy: How are we doing?

Week 5 Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Renewable Energy

My Energy Consumption: Understanding My Utility Bill

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • My Energy Consumption: Understanding My Utility Bill

My Electricity and Where It Comes From

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • My Electricity and Where It Comes From

My Carbon Footprint: Using the EPA's eGRID Tool

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • My Carbon Footprint: Using the EPA's eGRID Tool

My Carbon Footprint from Natural Gas Use

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • My Carbon Footprint from Natural Gas Use

My CO2 Equivalent (CO2e) Footprint

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • My CO2 Equivalent (CO2e) Footprint

An Example: Noelle's Residential Carbon Footprint

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • An Example: Noelle's Residential Carbon Footprint

Comparing My Carbon Footprint to Others

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Comparing My Carbon Footprint to Others
  • Course Wrap-Up

Final Assessment

    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Final Assessment Part 2 - Reflect on What You've Learned

1 Discussions

  • Final Assessment Part 1 - Discuss Your Carbon Footprint

Auto Summary

"The Sustainability Imperative" is a foundational course in Science & Engineering, taught by an expert from Coursera. It offers a comprehensive overview of global climate challenges, including climate change, plastic pollution, and social inequity, while emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable development. The course delves into energy generation's role in climate change and explores renewable energy solutions. Learners can calculate their personal carbon footprint and understand the impact of transitioning to renewable energy sources. This 1020-minute course is available with a Starter subscription, ideal for individuals eager to foster a sustainable future.

Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.
Instructor

Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.