Environmental Sustainability: Perspectives on the World

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Fathom > Science & the Natural World > Environmental Science

Environmental Sustainability: Perspectives on the World

From: Columbia University | Taught By: Mark Levy

Human health, welfare, and enjoyment of life depend in fundamental ways on the systems of nature surrounding us. Yet we often see evidence that these vital systems have been compromised by our own actions--consciously or otherwise. It may seem obvious that humanity's coexistence with the natural environment is absolutely critical for the survival of the planet. Our relationship to our ecosystems must be, in brief, "sustainable."

In this e-seminar, Professor Mark Levy leads an exploration of the many facets of environmental sustainability. The seminar is taught in a conference-style format with the perspectives of nine Columbia University faculty members associated with the Center for International Earth Science Information Network.

The material for this seminar takes approximately 3-5 hours, which you can complete at your convenience, a few minutes a day or all at once. You will have password-protected access to this seminar for six months.

» Objectives

» Syllabus

» Full description

» About the professor

» Technical Requirements

» Assignments and Exams

» Additional Course Information

» Ordering Information

$45.00

While all purchases/enrollments must go through our checkout process, NO fees will be charged for free seminar enrollments. To order by phone or fax

Credit Option: Not For Credit

Course Length: 3-5 hours

Course Type: Short e-Course What is this?

Course Status: Open For Enrollment

Start Date: Any Time

Objectives:

This short e-course provides you with an opportunity to understand better:

the dynamics between human activity and environmental processes in several specific geographic contexts around the world
the ideas and techniques utilized in efforts to bring about greater environmental sustainability
the range of data available related to environmental sustainability worldwide and the themes evident in these data

Syllabus:

This e-seminar is divided into two parts, which include a total of nine sections. Each section begins with an introduction to the contributing faculty member, followed by a series of video discussions and activities based on the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) mapping tool, designed by the instructors for this course.

Full description:

This online course is a guided exploration of several different topics and viewpoints related to environmental sustainability. Each section features a single contributor, all of whom are faculty members, researchers, or instructors affiliated with Columbia University. All contributors work in areas closely related to issues of environmental sustainability. Throughout the course you will encounter video interviews, reading materials, photographs and other visual aids, and various Activities related to the specific themes discussed by each contributor.

The Activities contained in the sections are designed to engage you as an active participant in exploring environmental sustainability. You will be asked to use a new web tool created especially for your e-course that uses data compiled by Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) to display global environmental information. Specific questions are occasionally embedded in the Activity Instructions to help direct your study.

Throughout your on-line learning experience, Forum questions will be provided as a further guide. You will be asked to consider these Forum questions in relation to the media and readings the contributors have provided, as well as the associated Activities. You can then post your response to the Course Forum, which will be monitored by your e-course mentor.

About the professor:

Mark Levy - Marc A. Levy is Associate Director for Science Applications at CIESIN, the Center for International Earth Science Information Network, an environmental data and research institute associated with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Marc Levy oversees programs focused on issues involving environmental sustainability, measures of state capacity, information tools for international environmental agreements, and other work aimed at integrating natural and social science information on the environment. He is a Project Scientist for CIESIN's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, which is one of the primary liaisons between NASA's Earth Observing System and the social science and policy-making communities. He has taught political science and international environmental policy since 1980 at Harvard University, Princeton University, Williams College, and Columbia University. He has published on the effectiveness of international environmental institutions and on environment-security connections. Levy is co-editor (with Robert O. Keohane and Peter M. Haas) of Institutions for the Earth (MIT Press, 1993) and co-editor (with Keohane) of Institutions for Environmental Aid (MIT Press, 1996).

Technical Requirements:

IBM-COMPATIBLE PC
Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP or NT
64 MB of RAM (128 recommended)
Monitor: 800x600 resolution recommended
Connection: Internet service and 56K modem minimum
Browser: Internet Explorer 4 or above (Internet Explorer 5 strongly recommended) or Netscape 4 or above
Sound Card (if you can hear audio you have a sound card)
Plug-ins: RealPlayer 7 or later; Flash Player 5 or later; Acrobat Reader 5 or later (all plug-ins are free)

MACINTOSH
MAC OS 8.6 or higher
64 MB of RAM (128 recommended)
Monitor: 800x600 resolution recommended
Connection: Internet service and 56K modem minimum
Browser: Internet Explorer 5 or above or Netscape 4 or above
Sound Card (if you can hear audio you have a sound card)
Plug-ins: RealPlayer 7 or later; Flash Player 5 or later; Acrobat Reader 5 or later (all plug-ins are free)

Assignments and Exams:

There are no required outside reading assignments. At the end of the seminar, Marc Levy has listed additional web resources and texts for those interested in further study.

Throughout the e-seminar you will be encouraged to respond to five essential questions in the Discussion Forum. While this e-seminar is not for credit and your responses to questions are not required, we strongly encourage you to participate in the discussion.

Additional Course Information:

List of Contributors:
Dr. Kenneth Broad
Dr. David Downie
Dr. Sally Findley
Dr. Geoffrey Heal
Dr. Peter de Menocal
Dr. Stephanie Pfirman
Ms. Danielle Smoller
Mr. Joel Towers
Dr. Iddo Wernick

Request More Information:

Fathom Customer Support
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Outside of the U.S. and Canada: Dial an AT&T operator, or ask your local operator to connect you with an AT&T operator, and then dial 1-888-297-1829.
or Email: customer.support@fathom.com

To Order by Phone or Fax
For faxed orders, you can simply fax the "Review Order" page to 212.279.2430. After clicking "Continue Checkout" on the shopping cart page, the "Review Order" page will be displayed after the "Course Enrollment" and "Cart" pages have been filled out.

For Phone Orders, please call Fathom Customer Support with your order and payment information between 9am-5pm EST. Remember, you can place orders online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Toll-free in the U.S. and Canada: 1-877-731-6941
Outside of the U.S. and Canada: Dial an AT&T operator, or ask your local operator to connect you with an AT&T operator, and then dial 1-888-297-1829.

While all purchases/enrollments must go through our checkout process, NO fees will be charged for free seminar enrollments.