Skip to 0 minutes and 16 seconds Humanity stands at a dangerous precipice. Our assault on the environment is creating an unlivable climate and damaging the biodiversity that supports us. Our future survival as a species even hangs in the balance. This course is about learning how to think differently to help humanity overcome what the United Nations has called a spiral of self destruction. Instead, we can create positive cycles of human nature restoration. Together, we’ll take a journey to learn how to achieve a systems mindset to tackle the biodiversity and climate crisis.
Using Systems Thinking to Tackle the Climate and Biodiversity Crisis
Discover how switching to a systems mindset could help overcome the global environmental challenges we face today.
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Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Using Systems Thinking to Tackle the Climate and Biodiversity Crisis
Take a big picture approach to the climate and biodiversity crisis
With crises as vast, complex, and interconnected as climate change and biodiversity loss, focusing on one aspect of the problem will never be enough. Systems thinking offers a new way of seeing and understanding environmental issues, which could radically change how we go about tackling them.
On this two-week course from the University of Reading, you’ll learn what systems thinking is and how it could transform your approach to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
Explore why mindsets matter when it comes to environmental issues
Climate experts are clear that purely economic or technical fixes are insufficient to solve environmental problems. To achieve meaningful and lasting change, we need to shift values, mindsets, and worldviews.
Analysing examples of current solutions and their shortcomings, you’ll consider the pitfalls of surface thinking. You’ll delve into the root causes of environmental issues, and use these to envisage more effective solutions.
Investigate what it means to take a big picture approach
In the second week of the course, you’ll put systems thinking into practice. You’ll make use of tools for mapping out environmental issues, asking how they connect to each other and to you.
Be inspired to change your own approach to the problem
By the end of the two weeks, you’ll understand how systems thinking could inform your own approach to the environment.
You’ll be able to act and make a genuine difference to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
Syllabus
Week 1
Why mindsets matter
Welcome to the course
Meet your Lead Educator, Professor Tom Oliver, and find out what you'll be learning on this course.
The wicked challenge of the climate and biodiversity crisis
Reflect on the global trends in key environmental metrics, the interacting drivers that cause them, and see the deeper role of mindsets as both a source and solution to global problems.
Surface thinking 1: economic fixes
Discuss the limitations of superficial thinking based solely on economic fixes to global environmental problems.
Surface thinking 2: techno fixes
Discuss the limitations of superficial thinking based solely on technological fixes to global environmental problems.
Review and reflect
Reflect on what you've discovered about systems thinking this Week and look ahead to what will be covered in Week 2.
Week 2
The big picture approach
Welcome to Week 2
The problem with 'blinkered thinking' and how policy makers at very high levels are taking a different approach.
Mindsets of connectedness
Learn how mindsets are linked with global environmental problems in feedback cycles.
Ways to reconnect
Recognise how humans and nature are connected and see how this perspective changes our attitude to the environment.
Practical systems thinking
Explore the practical application of systems thinking through a system mapping exercise.
Putting it into practice
Review what you have learnt about systems thinking from this course and discover ideas for continuing your learning.
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service:
The CPD Certification Service is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Demonstrate competency in and a mindset attuned to systems thinking
- Critique superficial technological and economic 'solutions' that address one issue but ignore the wider effects on interlinked systems
- Assess your own values to identify how what's important to you affects your actions and priorities
- Engage with diverse worldviews and broaden your perspectives on issues of climate and biodiversity
- Practice analysing problems using simple systems mapping tools to help you understand the bigger picture
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in climate change and biodiversity, or in the theory behind systems thinking. It will be particularly valuable for students or young people hoping to integrate protection of the environment into their careers.
What do people say about this course?
Truly fascinating and eye-opening
"Truly fascinating and eye-opening. Since completing the course my approach to thinking about the climate and biodiversity crisis has changed."
This may be the most significant FL course I've taken...
"... [a] vital and thought-provoking course. I guess it is never too early or, hopefully, too late to start learning about systems thinking and applying it to live problems."
Who will you learn with?
Tom Oliver is a Professor in Ecology and Research Dean for Environment at the University of Reading. He regularly advises the UK Government and the European Commission on environmental topics.
Who developed the course?
University of Reading
The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $39.99/month Automatically renews | Free |
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| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 3 May 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$39.99/month
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 3 May 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
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