Microcourse Description:

The global futures we face today are viewed by many as threatening our very existence on this planet we call home, and the existence of many of the species we share it with. The impact of climate crisis alone threatens the urban, mostly coastal, lifestyles that many of us in the so-called developed world are comfortable with. This is the first in a series of three micro-courses that will introduce you to global futures. The purpose of the ‘Global Futures: Environment Micro-Course’ is twofold: 1. To demonstrate that the environmental challenges we face if we continue with business-as-usual, are a threat to human survival; and 2. To show there are numerous alternatives available to us, if we choose to turn things around. This micro-course focuses on our environment, and will teach you about such intractable emerging issues as climate crisis, sea level rise, food and water security, and resource depletion. Secondly, the course will empower you to search for and appreciate the enormous potential of innovation to create alternative solutions, such as floating cities, urban and Ocean farming, renewable energy and alternative education. The course will also, where possible, indicate how the alternative solutions are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this microcourse you should be able to:

• Identify three major environmental systems challenges and give examples of at least two specific challenges for each.
• Reflect on how at least one of these environmental challenges is having a direct impact in their life and that of their community.
• Research alternative scenarios for this direct challenge, if possible demonstrating how each alternative aligns to one of more of the UN SDGs.
• Design a plan of action to implement some tangible change in their life or community in relation to one of the environmental challenges.

Introduction Video:

Faculty:

Jennifer M. Gidley, PhD – Jennifer is an author, educator, psychologist and futures researcher. She has held academic posts at four Australian universities, is currently an Adjunct Professor at two Australian universities, and holds academic affiliations in France, Germany and Spain. She is Co-founder and Director of Research at the Oceanic Research Institute, Australia: the world’s first fully sustainable Ocean research organisation, and a partner in the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

Jennifer works globally with speaking and research collaborations across Australia, Europe, UK, USA, Middle East and South East Asia. As the longest serving elected President (2009-2017) of the World Futures Studies Federation, a UNESCO and UN-ECOSOC partner founded in Paris in 1973, she led the global peak body for futures scholars from 60 countries. As WFSF President she presided over UNESCO Participation Project funding in six developing countries.

Jennifer has published 50 academic papers, edited scholarly books and special journal issues, and serves on editorial boards of seven international academic journals. Her recent books are: Postformal Education: A Philosophy for Complex Futures (Springer, 2016) and The Future: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2017), and The Secret to Growing Brilliant Children: Vol 1: Steiner Education for the 21st Century (Bear Books, 2020). She has five more books in process.

Websites: www.jennifergidley.com & www.bearbooks.info

Microcourse Contact Information:

Microcourses are completely on-demand for your convenience. If you have questions or require additional assistance, you may click the “Chat” button on the lower, left-hand side of the screen, and submit your inquiry. Our help desk will respond as soon as possible.

Single microcourses do not qualify for academic credit. However, enrolled students can add three microcourses together, purchase a Microcourse Credit Conversion option, pay the difference between the cost of the microcourses and a regular trimester course at their degree level and submit your reflection journals and a Final Creative Assignment for grading. Please contact our registrar for more information – registrar @ ubiquityuniversity.org. (sorry, direct link not provided due to spam bots).