Environmental Challenges: Scarcity and Conflict in the Natural Environment (FutureLearn)

The environment is directly impacted by pollution and explosions; and can be used as a weapon of war. In the longer term, sustainable environmental management is disrupted when conflict destabilises social systems and people are denied access to natural resources. As resources become scarcer, it might be expected that people come into conflict about access to natural resources.

Syllabus

Week 1: The principles of scarcity and conflict

Week 2: Applying the principles

Learning on this course

You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. 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...

- Compare the ‘cowboy’ economy with the circular ‘spaceman’ economy, through technological advances and resource exploitation.

- Discuss the extent that resource demands can lead to conflict between different users.

- Explore the way that conflicting forces subdue populations by denying them access to environmental resources.

- Develop understanding of conflict resolution and negotiation techniques.

Who is the course for?

The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in conflict and environmental decision-making; no previous knowledge or experience is required.

If you are working in environmental management, or wish to learn more about it, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time.