Science for Sustainable Societies (BSc)

Why study Science for Sustainable Science?

Welcome to the Anthropocene! We are living in an era of unprecedented environmental change which is driven by an increase in our population and prosperity, but also growing inequality, and increases in urbanisation, transportation, and consumption. As a result, we see loss of biodiversity, climate change, overuse of freshwater resources, loss of fertile topsoil, and much more. All of these are affecting fundamental ecosystem processes, causing change, spanning from local to global scales. In addition, there are increased pressures on fundamental resources, including food, water, metals, and traditional forms of energy. These challenges do not unfold uniformly across humanity. On a global level, there exists glaring injustices in the disproportionate impact of climate change and biodiversity loss, with low-income nations bearing the brunt of the most severe consequences. Moreover, continued gender inequality and legacies of colonialism persistently influence the distribution of wealth in various regions. Zooming in on a local scale, analogous patterns emerge. Socio-economic factors play a pivotal role in shaping disparities in access to essentials such as food, education, housing, and social networks.

These above described challenges defy simple solutions from any single nation, organisation, academic discipline or methodology. Effectively tackling these challenges demands collaborations among academics from different disciplines, the public, governmental bodies, and non-governmental organisations. Together, we must cultivate ethical and impactful responses.