Age of Sustainable Development

Overview

Sustainable development is the most urgent challenge facing humanity. Its fundamental question is: How can the world economy continue to develop in a way that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable? This course provides a broad overview of the interactions between the economy and our environment and humanity, from the constraints of finite resources, to the activities that drive climate change, to equality for all.

This course is an updated version of Professor Sachs' popular 2015 course of the same name. It includes new perspectives and a reorientation towards Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.

Join us for this introduction to the tenets of sustainable development, developed by experts on the latest in the social, policy and physical sciences.

This course is for:

Anyone new to the concept of sustainable development who wants to understand its foundations and its relevance to their life and work
Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students interested in the key concepts and practices of sustainability and global values
Sustainable development practitioners - as well as private-sector actors, such as those who work in corporate sustainability and responsibility - who want a concise overview of the latest developments in the field

Syllabus

Module 1: What is Sustainable Development?

Intro to Sustainable Development (SD)
Economic Growth & Progress
Continuing Poverty
Environmental Threats
Business-as-usual vs. SD
From the MDGs to the SDGs: Agenda 2030

Module 2: Economic Development

Incomes Around the World
Urban/Rural Inequality
Income Inequality Within Countries
Measuring Wellbeing
Convergence or Divergence

Module 3: History of Economic Development

Economic Development from 1750
Industrial Revolution
Waves of Tech Change
Diffusion of Economic Growth
Economic Development Since WWII

Module 4: Inequality Between Countries

Clinical Economics
The Role of Physical Geography: Transport, Energy, Disease, Crops
The Role of Culture: Demography, Education, Gender
The Role of Politics
Countries Stuck in Poverty

Module 5: MDGs: End of Extreme Poverty

Extreme Poverty Can End
Ending Extreme Poverty in Africa
Food Supply in South Asia
Official Development Assistance
Designing Practical Interventions: Millennium Villages Projects

Module 6: Growth Within Planetary Boundaries

The Origins of the Boundary Concept: Thomas Malthus
Neo-Malthusian Frameworks: Growth Dynamics
The 9 Planetary Boundaries
Living Within Limits: Energy, Agriculture and Industry

Module 7: Human Rights, Gender Equality

Ethics: Wealth, Poverty, Inequality
UN Declarations
Divided Societies
Forces of Widening Inequalities
Gender Inequality & Solutions

Module 8: Education

Human Development: Life-Cycle Approach
Early Childhood Development
Education & the Supply Response
Social Mobility
The Role of Higher Ed

Module 9: Universal Health Coverage

Human Right to Health
Poverty & Disease
Designing a Health System in Low-Income Countries
Healthcare for All
Health Coverage in High-Income Countries

Module 10: Sustainable Food Supply: the End of Hunger

Malnutrition
Farm Systems, Ecology, Food Security
How Environmental Change Threatens the Food System
How the Food System Threatens the Environment
A Sustainable Global Food Supply

Module 11: Sustainable Cities

Patterns of Urbanization
What Makes a City Sustainable?
Smart Infrastructure
Urban Resilience
Planning for SD

Module 12: Curbing Climate Change

Science of Climate Change
Consequences
Mitigation
Adaptation
Global Cooperation

Module 13: Saving Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity Under Threat
Oceans & Fisheries
Deforestation
International Dynamics

Module 14: The Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals
Goal-based Development
Financing for Sustainable Development
Principles of Good Governance
Is Sustainable Development Feasible?

Taught by

Jeffrey Sachs

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 10 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at edX based on 46 ratings

Start your review of Age of Sustainable Development

Aedrian Abrilla @aaabrilla

I have previously made a review of the audit-only Coursera version of this great course (https://www.classcentral.com/report/review-age-sustainable-development/). While there are some minor updates/modifications in this edX/SDG Academy-offerred vers…

I have previously made a review of the audit-only Coursera version of this great course (https://www.classcentral.com/report/review-age-sustainable-development/). While there are some minor updates/modifications in this edX/SDG Academy-offerred version, particularly in Lecture 6 (Growth within Planetary Boundaries), the content is practically the same - still outdated but nevertheless comprehensive in an introductory way. A tangible advantage of completing this version of the course is that a verified certificate of completion can be obtained. Like I mentioned in my review of the Coursera version of this offering, this course is due for a massive update and re-calibration of what we can still or can no longer do in ensuring that future generations will still inherit a decent planet they can call home.
Joseph Viruthiyel

Prof. Sachs is brilliant in explaing complex concepts in easy to understand language. The course traces the emergence of economic and socail development from the age of industrialization, decolonization, globalization and other events that have shap…

Prof. Sachs is brilliant in explaing complex concepts in easy to understand language. The course traces the emergence of economic and socail development from the age of industrialization, decolonization, globalization and other events that have shaped modern history and society. The emerging climate crisis has exposed the limits to sustainability of industrial and economic development. The adverse effects of climate change is inequitably impacting the poor within countries and across nations more adversely than the richer populations and nations. The relative success of scandinavian countires compared to richer countires in the global south in performance of achieving sustainable development goals is due to the social and ecnomic policies that they follow in a more egalitarian distribution of wealth and resources. Overall, the course is a must for all those interested in knowing what are the essentials that must be in place for the attainment of 17 sustainable development goals that the global community has committed itself to. This is course is highly recommended for the policy makers of the future.
Anonymous

This course, taught by the versatile educator, Prof. Sachs, provides a rich experience to students with a lucid history of the development of the sustainable development idea that today has become the clarion call for international and multilateral…

This course, taught by the versatile educator, Prof. Sachs, provides a rich experience to students with a lucid history of the development of the sustainable development idea that today has become the clarion call for international and multilateral cooperation. The course clearly explains the challenges of attaining the 17 broad indicators. It outlines the progress made thus far by various countries in the march towards achieving the goal. Europe stands out a leading light in at least the efforts to attain the goal. On the other hand, some of the richest and powerful countries' performance has been mediocre despite their economic and political might. This indicates that economic growth alone is insufficient to attain social development goals. This course is recommended for every one who is serious to make a differnce with respect to social development/
Ruchika Chauhan

Excellent course! The approach taken by Prof. Sachs by taking up topics one by one, starting from scratch and providing a deep knowledge to the subject is truly remarkable. Also, this course contains practical application of knowledge, linking us to the current happenings in the world around us.
Sakshi Singh

A great course with excellent topics and contents. helps to understand the pressing need for "sustainability" for future. Must learn!
Vishal Mishra

Sustainable Development makes you come across with each minute matters of the world and gives you a clear picture as of what create differences between a developed country and poverty prone country.. Gives you knowledge on how poor countries can develop themselves .. Must watch for everyone
Stephan M Funk

This is a fantastic course with excellent topics and contents! The best MOOC I ever had! Prof Sachs is marvellous. No video twaddel - content only and that in a very engaging manner!
Dhananjay Chauhan

Fantastic Course! The Instructor, Course Content, Provider, Service etc. everything is just great. It is truly beneficial in all aspects.
Alexandre Marques
Michael Ye