A Course in Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Students often have a concept of sustainability contrasting with its definition, believing that it is moral or “green,” but not necessarily a practical imperative. This course provides a foundation in the “what” and the “why” of sustainability and how it underpins economic robustness. Some still view environmental and social responsibilities as being in tension with economic success, impeding aggressive improvement. Examining the achievements and unintended consequences since the industrial revolution that created the need for complex regulations and protective technologies, the instructor demonstrates from real-world experience how successive use of those defined risks and their true costs (including often neglected externalities), as opportunities to address root-cause, reduces negative impacts, optimizes resource use, and produces substantial economic gains. This course’s strength is that it is grounded in real-world outcomes, emphasizes critical thinking to derive true cost/benefit analysis, utilizes available tools, and grounds the learning in the student’s everyday lives.