Explores past and present contributions from major events and leaders to the sustainability movement. It combines the basic ways natural systems work with an understanding of economics, social equity, and ecology, followed by a critical analysis of the societal value and environmental impact of trends in sustainability. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences, Elective)
- Explain the history of sustainability as a concept, practice, and movement including past and present contributions from major events and leaders.
- Analyze the principles of ecology with a particular focus on how local, national and global environmental issues affect, and are affected by, people in diverse regions around the world.
- Examine the environmental challenges around water, food, biodiversity, ecosystems, population, urbanization, energy, climate change, and consumption.
- Recognize the relationships among poverty, inequality and security within environmental justice.
- Evaluate diverse conceptual and practical approaches to sustainability and identify multiple tools and strategies to promote sustainability initiatives.
- Engage in activities that help students reflect on and connect to one's own history and story through memories, emotions, and personal experiences grounded in nature and place.
- Examine one's own attitudes, values, and choices while articulating a hope-based personal vision to positively impact one's community through action and change.