Environmental Studies: Designing a Sustainable Future

From climate change to resource management, today’s environmental challenges call for creative, interdisciplinary solutions. This course invites students to explore what it means to build a sustainable future that balances human needs with the health of our planet.

Using a systems-thinking approach, students investigate the interconnectedness of ecosystems, food systems, energy systems, and the built environment. Through interactive lectures, hands-on lab activities, and design-based projects, students will examine topics such as ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, energy-efficient design, and sustainable transportation. Field experiences bring these ideas to life through visits to locations such as the Hudson River, the Billion Oyster Project, vertical farms, and examples of green architecture. Students conduct water and air quality testing, experiment with renewable energy through projects like solar cars and water wheels, and collaborate on case studies that analyze real-world strategies for sustainability.

By the end of the course, students gain practical insight into how science, engineering, and social systems can work together to design a more resilient and sustainable world.