Sustainability and the Environment

Catalog description

This course examines the issues that comprise the new discipline of "sustainability." The many definitions of sustainability are discussed and the goals of sustainability are defined. The course reviews the impacts of human activities on essential natural resources such as flora, fauna, soil, water, air, land, and energy sources, Fundamental factors such as carrying capacity, ecology, conservation, climate change, pollution, population, development, economics, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, policy and environmental ethics are discussed in the context of sustainability. Readings will consider the complex relationships that make sustainability such a difficult goal and they will examine various diagnostic tools and sustainability best practices.