Welcome to the course

Welcome to Building a Sustainable Future with Technology! We are really happy you chose to join us on this course. We can’t wait to explore critical approaches to technology and sustainability with you over the next three weeks. In this video I’ll introduce you to the themes and ideas you’ll encounter throughout the course.

This course has been designed to help you develop a nuanced understanding of the relationship between technologies and the environment. You’ll cover a range of different subjects and work through a variety of critical approaches to technology and sustainability. The course will not only help you to advocate for more sustainable futures but also allow you to develop the tools for implementing sustainability in your context. The course is a co-learning space and you’ll be engaging with each other as well as hearing the perspectives of some incredible people along the way.

In Week 1, we will begin by defining an approach to technology and sustainability and looking at the impacts technologies have on us and the environment. By the end of this week you will be able to:

• Identify a meaningful approach to technology and sustainability
• Discuss the relationship between technologies and the planet
• Evaluate the problems present in technology production
• Reflect on the impacts technologies have on people and the environment

In Week 2 you will investigate a variety of different critical approaches and alternative practices including ecofeminism, anti-racism, activism, biodesign and sustainable investing. Finally, in Week 3, you will explore how you want to live differently with technologies, looking at redefining our expectations and re-thinking our approach to materials.

At the end of the course, you’ll take part in an independent learning task for you to put your learning into practice. We encourage you to be self-reflective as you move through the course, be open, and share your thoughts with other learners. We ask that you follow FutureLearn’s Code of Conduct, and agree that as a FutureLearner:

“You are respectful of others and do not use words or share content that is offensive or inflammatory. This includes, but is not limited to, language, names or content that is sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, antisemitic, Islamophobic, sexually explicit, abusive, contains swearing or is otherwise likely to cause offence.”

Building more sustainable futures for technology needs to be approached from multiple different perspectives, we need to take collective action by employing different solutions at every level, which is why we are so happy you have chosen to join us.

Before we begin our exploration of technology and sustainability, let’s get the conversation started! If you’d like, use the comments section to tell us more about yourself, where you are from, and why you have chosen to join this course. You can also like comments, and choose to follow other learners.