AESP 290 Environmental Sustainability and Practice delves into the intricate relationship between humankind and the environment, aiming to achieve sustainable development. Through exploration of diverse topics, practical applications, and experiential learning opportunities, students examine strategies for fostering fairness, inclusivity, and positive impact in environmental initiatives, while also gaining an understanding of environmental laws, regulations, and governance structures. This course equips students with applied skills in resource management, energy conservation, renewable energy, and navigating the regulatory landscape in sustainable development and practice.
Prerequisites: Admission to AESP
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 60 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 2 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 2 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Differentiate and assess sustainability concepts such as the Tragedy of the Commons, circular versus extractive economies, contrasting models of sustainability, greenwash, eco-centric and bio-centric, social and environmental justice, conservation and preservation, paradigms, anthropogenic climate change or the climate crisis, positive and negative feedback loops, steady state systems, thermal inertia, the albedo flip, and the Medea Hypothesis
- Elaborate upon and validate the idea that in the absence of a healthy environment there can be neither a healthy society nor a healthy economy
- Consider and contrast the principles of waste management including waste classification, waste transport, waste storage and waste as a resource for recycling or energy with zero waste and a circular economy
- Plan an Environmental Site Assessment based on case studies and non-intrusive field assessment techniques
- Critique and evaluate the relationships and contradictions between soil, climate, biodiversity, and social justice within the framework of unlimited human population and economic growth and unlimited demand for consumer goods within a finite world
- Review and assess integrated approaches to achieving sustainability within one generation that address issues such as oceans, forests, wilding, land, people, cities, food, energy, industry as well as the actions necessary to achieve sustainability
Teaching and Learning Approach
This is a face-to-face course that includes in-person lectures, labs, and field trips. Success in this course is most
likely when students:
Attend all lectures, labs, and field trips.
Take active, handwritten notes during lectures and labs.
Prepare in advance by completing assigned readings and exercises by the deadlines.
Actively participate in discussions, activities, and group work during lectures and labs.
Regularly review their notes and course materials.
Consult the textbook and additional resources provided.
Seek help promptly when questions or challenges arise.
Lectures are enriched with hands-on activities, collaborative exercises, and resources available through Moodle,
supporting a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.
Learning Resources
Required readings, including textbook chapters, online resources, and articles, will be provided through Moodle
as needed. Additional materials to support lectures, labs, and field trips will also be made available to enhance
your understanding of course topics.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. 1. Foundations of Sustainability
2. 2. Strategies for understanding and addressing such a complex concept as sustainability?
3.
3. Canada's Environmental Regulations and Policies.
4. 4. Life on Land and Introduction to Environmental Site Assessments
5. 5. What role does water play in environmental sustainability?
6. 6. The air we share. Introduction to climate change.
7. 7. Reading Week
8. 8. Exploring Finite Resources: Student Presentations
9. 9. Simulating Change: EN-Roads Climate Policy Exploration
10. 10. Powering the Future: Renewable Energy Lab
11. 11. Corporate Sustainability and Reporting
12. 12. Closing the loop: Circular Economy, Recycling, Composting, Waste Management
13. 13. Explore Sustainability of emerging technologies such as AI. Sustaining Ourselves: Personal and Holistic Approaches to Sustainability
14. 14. Putting it all together for yourself
Assessment
| Title |
Learning Outcomes |
Value |
| In Class Reflections (9 reflections @ 5% each) |
1 to 6 |
45% |
| Environmental Site Assessment |
4 |
10% |
| Term Assignment |
5, 6 |
15% |
| Attendance, Participation, and Professionalism in Submitted Work |
1 to 6 |
15% |
| Student Presentation |
1,2,3,5,6 |
15% |
| Total |
100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA |
| 90-100 | A+ | 4.33 |
| 85-89 | A | 4.00 |
| 80-84 | A- | 3.67 |
| 76-79 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 72-75 | B | 3.00 |
| 68-71 | B- | 2.67 |
| 64-67 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 60-63 | C | 2.00 |
| 55-59 | C- | 1.67 |
| 50-54 | P | 1.00 |
| 0-49 | F | 0.00 |
| | DNW | 0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.