• University of York

Tackling Environmental Challenges for a Sustainable Future

Discover how environmental research can inform how we respond to and solve the major global environmental issues of today.

8,292 enrolled on this course

Climate change- image comparison of drought, green field and ocean.

Tackling Environmental Challenges for a Sustainable Future

8,292 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore sustainable solutions to environmental issues like changing glaciers

Our energy use is unsustainable, we’re producing waste plastic that’s endangering oceans, and large parts of the natural world are disappearing. We know our planet is facing huge environmental challenges, but what are we doing to solve them?

On this course, you’ll discover how the environment is studied and learn how research at the University of York is helping to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

The course will encourage you to reflect on the importance of a more sustainable future for our planet and will introduce you to the role the Sustainable Development Goals can play.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 3 seconds Understanding the range of environmental problems facing us in the world today is of the utmost importance. In fact, it could be argued that getting to the bottom of the causes and consequences of these environmental changes, as well as coming up with solutions to them, are the most pressing issues facing the world today. Your interest in the world’s environmental problems likely means that you feel the same way. In this four-week course we aim to show you some of the critical environmental issues that are the focus of attention at the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York.

Skip to 0 minutes and 36 seconds Each week we’re going to focus on a different topic, starting off with an exploration of changing glaciers, before moving on to look at how we protect our oceans, then how we can create opportunities for human development alongside environmental conservation, and finally examining the issues surrounding energy and society. Not only will you learn about the details of these fascinating and highly topical issues, but you will also learn about some innovative ways of tackling the problems and you will join our team and help in our efforts to come up with solutions!

What topics will you cover?

  • Changing glaciers
  • Protecting our oceans
  • The environment and development
  • Energy and Society

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...

  • Explore major environmental challenges and how we investigate them.
  • Evaluate the importance of interactions between people and the planet.
  • Investigate potential sustainable solutions to major environmental problems.
  • Reflect upon the need for a sustainable future and the role of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Who is the course for?

There has never been a more important time to study the environment. This course is designed for anyone interested in how research is informing our knowledge of global environmental issues and potential solutions.

The course will be particularly useful for final year school students who are considering studying an environmental course at university. It will also appeal to anyone with an interest and with a general understanding of issues surrounding environmental issues.

Who will you learn with?

David Rippin is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and a glaciologist. His research focuses on understanding how glaciers move and how their behaviour is affected by climate change.

Eleanor Jew is a Lecturer in Environment and Development at the University of York, teaching on a BA in Global Development, a new degree course. Her research addresses land use change in Africa.

Joshua Kirshner is Senior Lecturer in Human Geography in University of York’s Department of Environment and Geography. My research focuses on urban development and climate planning and energy.

I'm Ollie Moore, a Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of York.
My main research focus is to investigate the role of minerals within global biogeochemical cycles.

I am an Associate Professor in Human Geography with an expertise in public and stakeholder attitudes to energy and environmental risk issues (e.g. climate engineering and climate change).

Who developed the course?

University of York

The University of York combines the pursuit of academic excellence with a culture of inclusion, which encourages everyone – from a variety of backgrounds – to achieve their best.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$79/one-off payment

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 9 Jan 2025

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99

For your first 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
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 Jan 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...