About This Course

Course Title: Systems Thinking and Environmental Sustainability: Solve the Rubik's Cube

This course will teach you about the interconnections within the food production system and its impact on the environment, using the pragmatic approach of systems thinking. Offered by Wageningen University, it forms part of the XSeries in Food Security and Sustainability, designed to address the global challenge of sustaining future food security.

What Students Will Learn

• Understanding environmental sustainability within the context of food production.
• The foundational principles of systems thinking and their application in complex food production scenarios.
• Methods to evaluate the environmental impacts of food production at various scales and contexts.
• Engagement with decision-making processes regarding environmental sustainability.

Prerequisites or Skills Necessary

Prospective students should have completed secondary education or the first two years of a Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Course Coverage

• Introduction to System Thinking and its relevance in Food Security.
• Analyzing and understanding the environmental impacts at different levels of food production.
• Applicability of life cycle assessment in the evaluation of food systems.
• Identification of sustainable practices in crop and livestock production.

Who This Course is For

This course is suitable for individuals interested in environmental issues, sustainability, agriculture, food security, and related fields. Professionals in environmental planning, agricultural development, and public policy will also find this course beneficial.

Application of Learned Skills in Real World

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to contribute effectively towards sustainable practices in food production, engage in informed decision-making regarding environmental issues, and participate in or lead sustainability projects in professional or community settings.

Course Syllabus

• Module 1: Complexity of Sustainable Food Production Systems
• Module 2: Introduction to Systems Thinking
• Module 3: Productivity Indicators of Food Production Systems
• Module 4: Environmental Indicators of Food Production Systems
• Module 5: Trade-offs between Sustainability Indicators
• Module 6: Integration Module with Two Case Studies