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.
Corequisite: None
Crosslisted: None
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course 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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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Differentiate and assess sustainability concepts such as the Tragedy of the Commons, circular versus extractive economies, contrasting models of sustainability, greenwash, eco-centric and bio-centric, social and environmental justice, conservation and preservation, paradigms, anthropogenic climate change or the climate crisis, positive and negative feedback loops, steady state systems, thermal inertia, the albedo flip, and the Medea Hypothesis.
- Elaborate upon and validate the idea that in the absence of a healthy environment there can be neither a healthy society nor a healthy economy.
- Consider and contrast the principles of waste management including waste classification, waste transport, waste storage and waste as a resource for recycling or energy with zero waste and a circular economy.
- Plan an Environmental Site Assessment based on case studies and non-intrusive field assessment techniques.
- Critique and evaluate the relationships and contradictions between soil, climate, biodiversity, and social justice within the framework of unlimited human population and economic growth and unlimited demand for consumer goods within a finite world.
- Review and assess integrated approaches to achieving sustainability within one generation that address issues such as oceans, forests, wilding, land, people, cities, food, energy, industry as well as the actions necessary to achieve sustainability.
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.