FUNDAMENTALS OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE

This course provides an introduction to the major themes of sustainability science with a focus on the application of science to the practice of sustainability.  Basic research, especially in the environmental and social sciences, explores the Earth as a system of systems, wherein the physical, chemical and biological systems interact with each other as well as human systems to affect our future.  The results of this research are often difficult to apply in practice unless the research in translated into actionable advice for individuals, governments and private enterprise.  Even so, the actual or perceived complexities of interactions between human and “natural” systems are often seen by decision makers as barriers to long-term planning, an essential element of pursuing sustainability.  A simple definition of sustainability is based on intergenerational equity.  Thus, the relationships between the here-and-now and possible global futures need to be understood.  Students enrolled in this course will discuss: Definitions of sustainability, including environmental, cultural and socio-economic components; Technologies for observing natural systems and their impacts on human systems; Summaries of scientific understanding of global-scale climate dynamics, natural hazards, biodiversity, environmental stressors and anthropogenic inputs to coupled human-natural systems; An overview of the strengths and weaknesses of science-based prediction; An introduction to geoengineering; Developing the evidence base for sustainability decisions; An introduction to risk assessment, perception and management; Decision making under uncertainty; General principles of sustainability management. An undergraduate background in any field of science or engineering and mathematics through statistical and time-series analysis is required.  An interest in coupled natural-human systems is desirable.