Sustainable Food Teach-Out (FutureLearn)

Sustainable Food Teach-Out (FutureLearn)

Discover the link between food and climate change and learn about the collective journey towards a sustainable global diet. Explore the importance of food choices in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. What we choose to eat matters. Did you know that a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions come from food and agricultural systems? One way each and every one of us can reduce our impact on the environment is to change what is on the end of our forks.

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On this two-week course, you’ll explore the complexities of the food system and how we can, individually and collectively, create food habits that reduce our impact on climate change.
Delve into the true environmental impact of food
You’ll explore exactly where food-related emissions come from, and why food choice is important for reducing carbon emissions.
Taking a deep dive into different foods and their footprints, you’ll be able to explain the difference between a beef hamburger and a plant-based hamburger in terms of environmental impact.
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to identify ways to reduce your personal food-related emissions.
Understand what makes a sustainable diet
The course will break down consumer behaviour into three parts; what we choose to eat, where we source our food from, and how to reduce food-related waste.
As you explore each part, you’ll understand more about sustainable food choices, food justice, and equity.
Explore what it’s like to operate a community garden
With an understanding of the challenges we face with our current food systems, you’ll identify different sustainable solutions such as community gardens and get to experience what it’s like to operate such an initiative.
Guided by the University of Michigan, home to some of the top experts in sustainable food, you’ll learn from specialists in the field.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge to feel empowered to make changes and support the collective journey towards a more sustainable global diet.

What topics will you cover?

  • This Teach-Out will address the following questions:
  • Why are food choices so difficult?
  • Why is food choice so important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
  • What is the difference between a beef hamburger and a plant-based hamburger in terms of environmental impact?
  • Where are my food-related emissions coming from?

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in learning more about sustainable food and how you can improve your personal food choices to be more environmentally friendly.

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