IEP 290: Environmental Sustainability concerns the relationship between humankind and the environment. This course explores that relationship and how, in the words of the Brundtland Commission Report, �we may live to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.� Clearly, there is no single route to achieving sustainability. Therefore, readings by many authors, technical experts, scientists and philosophers comprise a central component to illustrate the complexity of the topic, the diversity of approaches, and the resistance to change. There is substantial focus on applied skills related to current applications of sustainability principles across the economic spectrum and in particular to resource management, energy conservation and renewable energy.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Integrated Environmental Planning Technology program. Note: Pre-requisite(s) may be waived with the permission of the Instructor.
Accessibility Services Notice
standard statementCourse Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 60 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 2 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 2 |
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Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- define terms such as sustainability, eco-centric and bio-centric, conservation, preservation, paradigms, materials balance, conservation of mass, cradle-to-grave manufacturing, positive and negative feedback loops, steady state systems, thermal inertia, albedo flip, Medea Hypothesis, etc.;
- define energy literacy and discuss global and Canadian energy demand and supply, strategies to reduce energy demand, and renewable energy technologies; and
- explain the role of energy conservation and renewable energy and their application within the context of sustainability.
- acquire a familiarity with renewable energy systems;
- tour sites to observe renewable energy technologies in operation, energy efficient buildings, and small-scale sustainable agriculture as time and opportunity permit; and
- participate in an organic waste composting exercise.
- critique the reliability of information and contrast peer-reviewed with non-peer-reviewed literature;
- describe various concepts of sustainability and the connection with social and environmental justice;
- contrast models of sustainability that consider relationships between economics, society, and the environment;
- examine the contradiction between unlimited growth of the human population and the demand for consumer goods within a finite world;
- discuss integrated approaches to achieving sustainability that address issues such as human population, food, water, energy, and environmental protection;
- enlarge upon the idea that in the absence of a healthy environment there cannot be neither a healthy society nor a healthy economy;
- clarify what is meant by the phrase "biodiversity ensures stability" and how it applies within the context of sustainability;
- discuss the principles of waste management including waste classification, waste transport, waste storage and waste as a resource for recycling or energy;
Grading Table
Academic and Career
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
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