BENS7008 BIO1: Planetary Well-being: Achieving Sustainability and Good Life for Humans and Nonhumans (JSS32) (3 cr)

This course introduces the concept of Planetary well-being and elaborates upon systemic and ethical perspective on environmental and sustainability issues, and pathways to achieve Planetary well-being.
First, participants will self-study online material about global environmental crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, their causes and historical development pathways. This course will also explore international agreements on sustainable development and environmental and nature conservation, the global challenges in achieving sustainable development, and the concept of planetary well-being.
Second, participants will meet for in-person courses and interactive group work and discussion with teachers. During the week in JYU, participants will attend a set of lectures to deepen their understanding of Planetary well-being. These lectures will cover system thinking and interactions of natural and social systems, how to define well-being and good human and nonhuman life, and pathways to Planetary well-being.
Participants will also join interactive group work with other students and teachers to reflect on how to put Planetary well-being into practice. Each group will choose a practical sustainability issue and apply the PW perspective using the lectures, knowledge from their own field of study, and experience from their place of origin. On the last day, each group will present their thoughts on the chosen topic and engage into discussion with other groups and teachers.
During the course, you will meet an interdisciplinary team of teachers with diverse background related to planetary well-being (biology, sociology, economics, and sustainability science).

Bachelor's degree. The course is highly multidisciplinary and students from diverse backgrounds are welcome to attend.