Introduction: Tackling the Environmental Challenges of the 21st Century

Our planet is changing rapidly, and we are seeing the impacts of human behavior and consumption on every corner of the globe. At the same time, new technologies and approaches have emerged that allow us to tackle these problems in revolutionary ways. 

In the first module, we gain an overview of what is driving the climate and extinction crises. We will explore the grand challenges of conservation — and what we know so far about what works (or doesn’t) in this field.  

In order to begin tackling these wicked and complex environmental problems, we will apply tools that help us understand the systems around these problems.  More than simply understanding the technical drivers of the problem, we need to understand the human and social factors involved – so that we have the foundations to create just and equitable solutions.  This contextualized understanding helps us identify leverage points in the system — places where we can design interventions that drive deep and lasting change. 

By completing this module, you will:

1. Identify the drivers of complex environmental problems; 
2. Define an environmental challenge to focus on;
3. Analyze the system around a complex problem to gain insights and understand the role of human actors — both how they influence the system and how the system influences them; and
4. Identify leverage points for change in the system around the problem, in order to start planning an intervention.