Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/applied-sustainability-engineering
In today’s world, where environmental consciousness is paramount, understanding the principles of sustainability in engineering is no longer a niche interest but a fundamental requirement. Coursera’s ‘Applied Sustainability Engineering,’ the second course in the ‘Applied Sustainability for Technical Managers’ specialization, offers a comprehensive and practical approach to this critical field. This course is designed to equip engineers and scientists with the techniques needed to develop and assess the environmental impact of products and processes.
The course kicks off with a deep dive into ‘Renewable Energy: Technologies and Economics.’ It provides an excellent overview of various renewable energy sources, starting with hydropower and moving on to the increasingly cost-effective wind and solar power. The module doesn’t shy away from the technicalities, explaining the physics and economics behind solar power and discussing essential energy storage solutions like pumped hydro, battery technologies, and hydrogen. The module concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the global transition to renewable energy to meet the ambitious target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as set by the IPCC.
One of the most impactful modules is ‘What’s My Carbon Footprint?’. This section personalizes sustainability by guiding learners through calculating their own carbon footprints, drawing parallels to Scope 1 and 2 emissions for businesses. The practical exercises involving personal transportation and residential energy use, including understanding utility bills and utilizing the EPA’s eGrid website, make the abstract concept of carbon emissions tangible. Calculating CO2-equivalent footprints with EPA emission factors provides a clear understanding of personal impact.
The course then transitions to ‘Sustainable and Circular Products and Packaging Design,’ highlighting how sustainability can be a market differentiator. It introduces the circular economy’s butterfly diagram and discusses key aspects of sustainable products: safe materials, longevity, repairability, and ease of disassembly. The module also tackles the significant challenge of packaging waste, offering insights into why packaging exists and how to make it more sustainable, including a practical ‘7-day plastics challenge’ to raise personal awareness.
‘Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Streamlined LCAs (S-LCA) and Eco-Audits’ delves into crucial analytical tools. Learners are guided on establishing system boundaries, defining functional units, and sourcing environmental impact data. The course adeptly addresses the complexities and costs of full LCAs, introducing Streamlined LCAs (S-LCAs) as a pragmatic alternative for design guidance. The hands-on SLCA of gold wedding rings is a great way to apply these concepts. Eco-Audits are also covered, emphasizing their importance in analyzing material impact and understanding embodied energy.
Finally, ‘Circular Product and Packaging Design: Fundamentals and Frameworks’ consolidates the learning by outlining specific tools and frameworks for sustainable design. The Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) design methodology is explored in detail, with its certification process compared to LEED standards. Other valuable frameworks like Biomimicry and The Natural Step are also introduced, providing a holistic view of sustainable product development.
Overall, ‘Applied Sustainability Engineering’ is an exceptionally well-structured and informative course. It strikes a perfect balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making complex sustainability concepts accessible to a broad audience. The hands-on exercises and real-world examples are particularly commendable. I highly recommend this course to any engineer, technical manager, or anyone interested in driving sustainable practices within their organization or personal life. It’s an investment in a greener future.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/applied-sustainability-engineering