Food Security and Sustainability: Systems thinking and environmental sustainability
Wageningen University & Research
  • Start Date: 13 Jun, 2017
  • Self-Paced
  • Study Content: Videos


Learn how to solve the ‘Rubik’s cube’ of systems thinking and how it’s applied to improve the environmental sustainability of food production systems!

Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: 49.00 USD

Introduction

Introduction Video

Course Description

This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and Edx partnership.

Systems thinking and environmental sustainability: solve the Rubik’s cube


Have you ever considered how many aspects of food production affect the natural environment? Every aspect needs to be considered in attaining the future goal to produce enough food for the growing population while at the same time preserving our planet. It’s as difficult as solving a Rubik’s cube; changing one aspect may affect the environment in a major way.


Systems theory, or systems thinking, is a way of understanding and working with the complexity of sustainable food production systems, which requires training in different disciplines and an approach that can address this complexity. This environmental studies course enables participants to apply the principles of a systems approach to food production with a focus on environmental sustainability.


The professors at Wageningen University


The University of Wageningen offers an excellent combination of conducting research worldwide and educating in the area of ‘healthy food and living environment’. For each course, professors from specific fields of expertise are eager to teach and share the University’s mission: “Explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”.


This is why you should sign up


Sign up as a student if you want to acquire knowledge about environmental sustainability and the way systems thinking helps in decision-making in the complexity of food production. After successful completion of both practice and graded assignments related to this course, you will:



  • Understand the complexity and diversity of food production systems

  • Understand the principles of system analysis and apply it to environmental issues in food production

  • Understand evaluation methods for the environmental impact of food production systems in different contexts and levels (e.g. farm, regional and global) Be able to evaluate strong and weak points of different food production systems regarding environmental sustainability

  • Be able to contribute to a discussion about environmental sustainability and food production and ask relevant questions

Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.

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Wageningen University & Research

The rapidly increasing demand for nutritious food and its future consequences for the environment call for a much greater understanding of the global food system. WageningenX, by mobilizing a large and international community, addresses this needs effectively by offering different massive online open courses (MOOCs) within its domain. Our courses train (future) professionals in sustainable food systems and reach out to consumers to help them make informed choices about what they eat, how it is produced and the impact of their choices on the environment and society.

 

The complexity of global food systems requires training in a diversity of disciplines from ‘farm’ to ‘fork’. These are all imbedded in the mission of Wageningen University and Research centre: To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life! The union of expertise in various fields of natural and social sciences that Wageningen University & Research offers, leads to scientific breakthroughs that can quickly be put into practice. Moreover, our well known research centres constantly enrich our educational programmes with the latest scientific insights.

This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with Edx.

You may be able to download course materials after enrolling in this course. If not, all of the necessary course materials provided by the course instructor will be available on the provider's course page.
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Effective Date: September 22, 2016