Global Challenges: Sustainability and Systemic Thinking

This lecture introduces the global challenges of sustainability, focusing on planetary boundaries, social justice, and systemic interconnections. The instructor outlines the interdisciplinary approach of the course, which includes group work and systemic thinking. The course aims to prepare students for future studies in sustainability, with a focus on real-world applications and case studies. The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of various sustainability issues, including climate change, resource management, and biodiversity loss. Students will engage in collaborative projects to explore these themes in depth, utilizing a systemic perspective to address complex problems. The course is designed to be implemented on a larger scale in 2025, targeting approximately 2000 students. The instructor also highlights the diverse expertise of the teaching team and the importance of integrating knowledge from various disciplines to tackle sustainability challenges effectively.