What do you do if you want to learn sustainability on your own terms?

Sustainability doesn't have to be a textbook! Let's make it a lifestyle adventure! Explore your local farmer's market for seasonal produce, swap single-use plastics for reusable alternatives, and research ways to reduce your energy consumption at home. Every small step adds up, and who knows, you might inspire others to join the journey towards a greener future!

The first thing we need to consider when learning about sustainability is to understand the following: - There is no magic solution in the world of sustainability. There are sets of solutions. - Sustainability is an interdisciplinary science; therefore, it is crucial to have a team with many experts. - Remember that understanding the system is key to knowing how to generate creative solutions. It's always about working systematically. - Finally, it's important to acknowledge that sustainability is a long-term science.

In the voyage towards sustainability, self-reflection becomes the compass guiding us towards purposeful learning. Before embarking on this journey, take a moment to define your goals and aspirations. Are you seeking to reduce your carbon footprint, save resources, or contribute to community initiatives? By clarifying your objectives, you can tailor your learning journey to focus on topics that resonate most deeply with you. This introspection not only sets the stage for a personalized learning experience but also empowers you to make meaningful strides towards a more sustainable future. Remember, in the vast expanse of sustainability, self-awareness becomes the anchor grounding us in purpose and direction.

Identify Your Learning Objectives Embarking on a journey into sustainability requires clarity. Reflect on your aspirations: Do you seek to diminish your carbon footprint, economize resources, or engage in communal efforts? Define your goals to tailor your learning path effectively. This introspection lays the groundwork for a customized learning experience, ensuring relevance and fulfillment.

Assessing the need for sustainability requires a comprehensive understanding of its multifaceted nature, encompassing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. ESG serves as a framework for evaluating organizational performance in key sustainability areas, including environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance. By examining the impact of operations, supply chain practices, community engagement, and corporate governance, organizations can identify opportunities to enhance sustainability and mitigate risks.

Begin by exploring the fundamental principles that underpin this vast field. Understand the three pillars of sustainability: environmental protection, social equity, and economic development, as they form the cornerstone of holistic sustainability practices. Delve into key concepts such as the circular economy, which advocates for resource efficiency and waste reduction, and the critical role of biodiversity in fostering resilient ecosystems. Remember, in the pursuit of sustainability, education is not just a destination but a transformative journey that equips us with the tools and insights to create a more equitable, thriving, and sustainable world.

To understand the principle of sustainable development a handfull of central literature and research publications can be a sound starting point, such as "our common future" introducing the limits of growth and the "planetary boundaries" explaining the tipping points. Also, I like to suggest the SDGs (sustainable development goals of the UN) with the 17 goals, showing the broad range on which the countries, companies and local communities should act upon. For further reading you could also consult the sustainability strategy of your country, city or workplace (or university).

Researching the basics of sustainability online provides a wealth of accessible resources, from foundational concepts on platforms like Wikipedia to industry insights on LinkedIn articles and specialized content on sustainability and carbon market blogs. These online resources offer valuable information, trends, and case studies that can help individuals and organizations gain a better understanding of sustainability principles, practices, and innovations. By exploring diverse sources and staying informed about current developments, stakeholders can enhance their knowledge base, make informed decisions, and contribute effectively to sustainability efforts, fostering continuous learning and adaptation in the dynamic field of sustainability.

Foundational Research: Sustainability Principles Commence your sustainability journey with foundational research. Delve into the core principles: environmental preservation, social equity, and economic progress. Acquaint yourself with pivotal concepts like the circular economy and biodiversity's role in ecosystem health. Tap into local libraries or online repositories for a plethora of resources, laying the groundwork for deeper exploration.

Setting Achievable Goals: Once you have a clear picture of your impact, set small, achievable goals. Sustainability is a broad field, encompassing everything from reducing plastic use to supporting renewable energy. By focusing on one area at a time, such as committing to zero-waste practices in your kitchen or choosing to walk or bike more often, you make the journey manageable and rewarding.

There are plenty of courses around. Look at both free and paid courses and the length of these courses. Please also network. There are plenty of events around to immerse yourself on new developments in sustainability

Online courses can be a great tool to dip your toes into sustainability or to understand more of a specific niche within the sustainability subject. However, if you want to make a career change and are serious about working with corporate sustainability, I’d recommend a more thorough education such as a master's program (I have two and am still learning!) Sustainability is a very complex subject and short courses alone won’t prepare you to become an expert in this field, just like in any other serious one.

Embrace the flexibility and convenience they offer, allowing you to learn at your own pace and on your own terms. Whether free or paid, these courses span a diverse array of topics, from sustainable agriculture to green building design, catering to a spectrum of interests and aspirations. Seek out courses with interactive components, such as forums or projects, as they not only enrich your learning experience but also provide opportunities to apply newfound knowledge and connect with a community of passionate learners. Remember, in the journey towards sustainability, online courses become the catalysts that empower us to transform knowledge into action, one lesson at a time.

Sustainability is not a requirement but in fact its a sole responsibility! Let us explore the way around us and then see how best we can make things more sustainable with our ways.

Utilizing online courses is a valuable approach to enhancing knowledge and skills in sustainability. With a wide range of courses available on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX, individuals can access comprehensive learning modules tailored to various aspects of sustainability, from environmental conservation to renewable energy and sustainable business practices. These courses offer flexible learning opportunities, allowing learners to study at their own pace and gain practical insights from industry experts and thought leaders.

Whether it's nurturing a compost bin, cultivating a rain garden, or upcycling old furniture, these hands-on endeavors deepen our understanding of sustainability and its real-world applications. Beyond providing a sense of accomplishment, DIY projects offer a firsthand glimpse of the tangible benefits of our efforts, igniting a spark of motivation to continue our journey towards a more sustainable future. Remember, in the landscape of sustainability, action speaks louder than words, and each DIY project becomes a testament to our commitment to creating positive change in the world.

DIY sustainability projects are a great way to engage yourself at first and possibly instil a changing approach in the people closest to you. I'm in love with them! As an example, it has been at least five years since I've been making my laundry detergent. I was tired of buying, bringing home and recycling 2 lt plastic bottle twice a month. Now, in 10 minutes, I pour Marseille soap flakes I buy at a local shop, hot water, and essential oil and use the same bottle; I also add some soda percarbonate to each wash. I made a rough calculation of how much it costs me per wash (0,13 €), and I am amazed by the quantity of money, plastic, polluters and, ultimately, fuel I have saved. My advice: just start from something easy and scale it!

Joining an in-person and online community active in areas close to your interests can be a good approach. Start with one, the easiest to reach/ join/ attend. Online communities can enrich you with many different perspectives from people of various backgrounds and geographies, whilst in in-person groups, you can work together to make an impact close to you and benefit from the precious, direct and face-to-face exchanges. Start by listening, asking and being ready to give your contribution. You can make the most out of them at a certain point: exchange resources and continue conversations online with your in-person community, and meet someone from the online community in person. A win-win sweet spot :-)

Hands-On Experience: Volunteering for local sustainability projects, like tree planting drives, community recycling days,provides practical experience and a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions in environmental management. Community Service: Through volunteering, you contribute directly to the well-being of your community, which can be immensely satisfying and motivating. Influence: Use your knowledge and platform to advocate for sustainable practices and policies. Engaging in public advocacy can influence broader community behavior and policies, enhancing the collective impact on the environment. Educational Outreach: Participate in or organize public education campaigns to raise awareness about sustainability issues.

Use a Reflection Framework Guided Questions: Use specific questions to structure your reflection. For example: What new things have I learned about sustainability this month? What challenges have I encountered, and how did I address them? How have my views on sustainability evolved? What achievements am I proud of? SWOT Analysis: Occasionally conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to assess your learning and performance in sustainability more formally.

As you immerse yourself in learning, take moments to pause and reflect on your progress and experiences. What aspects have you found most intriguing or challenging? How have your views on sustainability evolved throughout your journey? Regular reflection not only keeps you focused on your goals but also sparks inspiration to delve into new realms of sustainability exploration. Moreover, it offers a chance to celebrate your achievements and contemplate how you can integrate newfound knowledge into your daily life, creating meaningful change one reflection at a time. Remember, in the landscape of sustainability, self-reflection becomes the cornerstone of personal transformation and progress.

Identify your one key trigger is, i.e. what drives you towards understanding sustainability, and answer it. For example, do you think your business model will not sustain? or do you want to be sure climate change is real? do you think your product will become obsolete? or do you believe you are not reporting enough?

Being yourself an example as a person who choose sustainable way of living, for example drinking from reusable cups, upcycling garments, planting trees ?? Sometimes while doing those small things you inspire more people to follow.

Yes, it's ok to have kids. I know that sounds dire, but I've been in this field for 20 years, and nearly every time I speak, this comes up. It's ok. You can have kids. Also? You can NOT have kids. Either way. Humans always have faced existential challenges, they just have shifted in scope and scale. But on the personal level, "What kind of world am I bringing a child into?" is an evergreen question. One more thing though: children help you stay connected, and keep seeing the world through "current eyes" (ideally, anyway). So even if you don't have your own children, be sure to stay involved in and attentive to how the context of the world changes over time.

Learn about sustainability on your terms by attending talks, workshops, and conferences for valuable insights and connections. Engage with projects and companies tackling sustainability challenges firsthand to deepen your understanding and witness innovative solutions. From cleaning oceans to producing plant-based clothing, real-world initiatives empower experiential learning and offer insights into potential impacts and solutions.

'On your own term'...Interesting. If you are learning for leisure? Explore freely—use free or paid resources, travel, study, whatever suits you. But for career-driven learning, 'your terms' fade. Industry demands specific skills. Competing pros aren't hobbyists; they've honed skills for years. Focus on a niche in sustainability, becoming a 'T-shaped professional.' It's less about preference, more about industry supply and demand.