Grand Challenges: Food for Thought (FutureLearn)

Grand Challenges: Food for Thought (FutureLearn)

Where does our food come from and what impact does it have on our environment? Our demand for food from natural systems is changing the world we live in from the soil beneath our feet to the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea. Unsustainable practices of production (overfishing or monoculture) and consumerism are to blame.

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Widely publicised examples include mere decades of soil fertility for crop growth and drastic declines in pollinating insects. This course aims to educate you in the way that every human being can reduce their impact on our planet and inspire you to make global connections to tackle sustainability issues.

What topics will you cover?

  • The pillars of sustainability
  • Environmental impacts of food production
  • Exploitation of the sea
  • Case studies on the production of Bananas, Coffee and Palm Oil
  • Importance of pollinators

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Describe the term 'sustainability' in the context of food production
  • Explain the 'Pillars of Sustainability' model
  • Compare and contrast the sustainability of global coffee, palm oil and banana industries
  • Reflect on the importance of pollinators in relation to food production
  • Investigate the food available from your local area and contrast with your weekly shop
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