Course

Sustainable Food Systems

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Embark on a journey through the complexities of the food production system with the Sustainable Food Systems course. Delve into the concept of systems thinking and its application to the food, fiber, and natural resource industries. Explore the three key pillars of sustainability—social, environmental, and economic—and their interconnectedness to food production. Engage with expert insights and real-world examples as you uncover the grand challenges faced by the food system, including issues related to food, nutrition, economics, environment, and energy.

  • Examine the grand challenges in food, nutrition, economics, environment, and energy systems.
  • Understand the concept of systems thinking and its relevance to the food production system.
  • Explore the three key pillars of sustainability and their impact on social, environmental, and economic systems.
  • Discover real-world examples and expert insights related to the challenges faced by the food system.

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Sustainable Food Systems
Course Modules

Explore the pillars of sustainability in food production and examine grand challenges in food, nutrition, economics, environment, and energy systems with Sustainable Food Systems' comprehensive modules.

MODULE 1 | Food System as a System

MODULE 1 | Food System as a System

Delve into the intricacies of the food system as a complex network, exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by local and global dynamics. Gain a deeper understanding of systems thinking and its relevance to sustainable food production.

MODULE 2 | Sustainability in the Food System

MODULE 2 | Sustainability in the Food System

Unpack the concept of sustainability within the context of food production, examining its three pillars—people, planet, and profit. Explore the interconnectedness of sustainability with social, environmental, and economic systems.

MODULE 3 | Food Production Systems

MODULE 3 | Food Production Systems

Examine the various components of food production, from animal and crop systems to the roles of consumers and producers. Gain insights into the challenges and advancements in sustainable food production.

MODULE 4 | Food and Nutrition

MODULE 4 | Food and Nutrition

Investigate critical issues surrounding food and nutrition, including access to nutritious food, food deserts, and the emotional and cultural connections to food. Explore innovative solutions to address world hunger and build sustainable food systems.

MODULE 5 | Food and the Environment

MODULE 5 | Food and the Environment

Explore the environmental challenges posed by the food system, including its impact on water and soil quality and its contribution to climate change. Discover sustainable approaches to mitigate environmental impacts within the food production system.

MODULE 6 | Economics of the Food System

MODULE 6 | Economics of the Food System

Uncover the economic intricacies of the food system, including issues related to land access, production demands, and consumer-driven economies. Evaluate the role of sustainability standards in addressing economic challenges within the food system.

MODULE 7 | Energy and Technology in the Food System

MODULE 7 | Energy and Technology in the Food System

Investigate the grand challenges in energy and technology within the food production system, exploring renewable energy, sustainable energy, and their significance in building a resilient food system. Examine the role of energy and technology in shaping sustainable food production.

MODULE 8 | Examining Grand Challenges; Moving Toward Solutions

MODULE 8 | Examining Grand Challenges; Moving Toward Solutions

Delve into the complexities of food and sustainability, identifying the key challenges and exploring potential solutions. Engage in a comprehensive assessment of the grand challenges within the food production system and delve into strategies for addressing them.

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