ENS5010 · Global challenges and sustainability

Overview

This unit, together with ENS5020, sets the context for considering the interactions and interdependence between nature and society and the basic principles of sustainability (social, economic and environmental), reflected in the Sustainable development goals. This unit (Global challenges and sustainability) provides the scientific basis for understanding contemporary global environmental change and its implications for society. Using the current global policy context in this area, it introduces the science of sustainability and the environment and its relevance to human well-being. It explores the key threats to sustainability, such as climate change, human migration, resource scarcity and emerging diseases. Core concepts covered in the unit include those of scale, systems and complexity. The unit teaches problem structuring methods, evidence-based approaches and methods of interpreting risk and uncertainty. Particular emphasis is placed on developing skills to integrate evidence into sustainability actions across multiple sectors, systems and scales. Theory will be complemented with group learning exercises, professional development activities and engagement with practitioners.

Areas of study: International development practice International sustainable tourism management

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate and integrate the multidisciplinary scientific evidence for contemporary global change and ecosystem services.
2. Forecast challenges associated with global change and sustainability through analysing evidence and applying scientific knowledge, concepts and methods.
3. Appraise, classify and prioritise complex systems, problems and solutions relevant to sustainability.
4. Devise evidence-based approaches to sustainability through integrating data with multidisciplinary tools, frameworks and principles.
5. Plan evidence-based sustainability actions across multiple sectors, systems and scales.
6. Effectively communicate scientific knowledge across disciplines and communities of practice in environment and sustainability.

Workload

• Contact hours equivalent to minimum 4 hours per week. • Additional requirements of at least twenty hours of independent work.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.