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Sustainable Food Teach-Out

Discover the link between food and climate change and learn about the collective journey towards a sustainable global diet.

1,057 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Explore the importance of food choices in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

What we choose to eat matters. Did you know that a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions come from food and agricultural systems? One way each and every one of us can reduce our impact on the environment is to change what is on the end of our forks.

On this two-week course, you’ll explore the complexities of the food system and how we can, individually and collectively, create food habits that reduce our impact on climate change.

Delve into the true environmental impact of food

You’ll explore exactly where food-related emissions come from, and why food choice is important for reducing carbon emissions.

Taking a deep dive into different foods and their footprints, you’ll be able to explain the difference between a beef hamburger and a plant-based hamburger in terms of environmental impact.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to identify ways to reduce your personal food-related emissions.

Understand what makes a sustainable diet

The course will break down consumer behaviour into three parts; what we choose to eat, where we source our food from, and how to reduce food-related waste.

As you explore each part, you’ll understand more about sustainable food choices, food justice, and equity.

Explore what it’s like to operate a community garden

With an understanding of the challenges we face with our current food systems, you’ll identify different sustainable solutions such as community gardens and get to experience what it’s like to operate such an initiative.

Guided by the University of Michigan, home to some of the top experts in sustainable food, you’ll learn from specialists in the field.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge to feel empowered to make changes and support the collective journey towards a more sustainable global diet.

What topics will you cover?

This Teach-Out will address the following questions:

Why are food choices so difficult?

Why is food choice so important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

What is the difference between a beef hamburger and a plant-based hamburger in terms of environmental impact?

Where are my food-related emissions coming from?

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...

  • Identify ways in which individuals can change their food decisions to be more sustainable.
  • Compare food choices and make informed decisions on what the most sustainable option is.
  • Demonstrate skills to reduce food-related impact, such as composting.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in learning more about sustainable food and how you can improve your personal food choices to be more environmentally friendly.

Who developed the course?

University of Michigan

As the #1 public research university in the United States, U-M has been a leader in research, learning, and teaching for more than 200 years, with 102 Grad programs in the top 10 — U.S. News & World Report (2019).

  • Established

    1817
  • Location

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  • World ranking

    Top 30Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

What's included?

University of Michigan are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

    Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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