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There are 4 modules in this course
What does it mean to be an environmental leader? How can we inspire others to achieve common goals to combat challenges like climate change? This short course provides an entry-level overview of timeless and timely leadership principles and how to apply them to environmental contexts in your own life. No matter your interests, age, career, or goals, you can make a difference. No prerequisites are needed for this course.
To combat climate change, protect our environment, and develop sustainable communities, we must all engage in environmental leadership. Addressing today’s complex environmental issues requires us to view leadership less as a responsibility associated with any one position or person, and rather a call for collective action. Through this course, you will learn how to develop competencies and relationships that will help you work with others to understand the interconnectedness of systems and accomplish goals across boundaries.
All kinds of leaders are needed to tackle the environmental and climate challenges that we face as a global society. By the end of the course, you will explore concepts of environmental leadership and how you might apply them in your own community or organization. By growing your leadership skills, you will be more fully equipped to work with others to pave the way to a just and sustainable future.
Welcome to the course! We’ll begin by providing some introductory materials to set you up for success in the course. Then, we’ll define environmental leadership and explain why it’s important. We’ll explore the values and ethics that guide environmental leadership, including from specific examples. You’ll also begin to learn about design thinking through these examples, which will prepare you to dive deeper into this concept in the coming weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to test your knowledge through discussions with your peers and a graded quiz.
Becoming Fluent in Climate and Sustainability•10 minutes
Inner Developmental Goals and Leadership Development•5 minutes
Course Entry Survey•10 minutes
Our Commitment to Supportive Learning•10 minutes
Discussion Guidelines•10 minutes
Report a problem with the course•5 minutes
Course Glossary•10 minutes
The Climate Challenge•10 minutes
5 Dimensions of Leadership to Address Complex Challenges•10 minutes
Leading a New Era of Climate Action•10 minutes
Five Stages in the Design Thinking Process•10 minutes
Optional Reading: Introducing a New Climate Leadership Paradigm•10 minutes
Navigating the Future: The Synergy of Ethical Leadership and Sustainability•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•15 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Introduce Yourself! •10 minutes
Why is environmental leadership crucial for addressing climate change and fostering sustainability?•10 minutes
How do timeless leadership principles shape effective environmental leadership?•10 minutes
What role do ethics and values play in guiding decision-making processes in environmental leadership?•10 minutes
Integrating Environmental Leadership and Design Thinking
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
You will build on what you learned in Module 1 by thinking about how you can model environmental leadership for others and craft a vision statement. We’ll then dive more deeply into design thinking, with a focus on how to apply this framework to environmental challenges.
Goal Setting and Priority Establishment •7 minutes
6 readings•Total 45 minutes
Vision Statement Resources•10 minutes
Introduction to Peer Review Activities•5 minutes
Providing Meaningful Peer Feedback•5 minutes
Convergent and Divergent Thinking•10 minutes
Why Empathy Is Fundamental to Design Thinking•10 minutes
Optional Resource: Open Design•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•20 minutes
1 peer review•Total 25 minutes
Optional Activity: Creating a Vision Statement in Environmental Leadership•25 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
How can personal leadership and effective communication drive environmental change?•10 minutes
What is design thinking and how can its principles be applied to address environmental challenges?•10 minutes
Why is goal setting crucial in guiding environmental initiatives, and how can we prioritize actions for maximum impact?•10 minutes
Empowering Environmental Innovation and Collaboration
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
We will look closer at the design process to understand how to identify what is working and what is not. You should start thinking about novel ideas and approaches and how you might suggest these types of ideas. We’ll also discuss how you can empower your team members to work in environmental initiatives.
Identifying Opportunities for Innovation•6 minutes
Overcoming Obstacles and Resistance•7 minutes
Building Inclusive Teams•5 minutes
Empowering Team Members•5 minutes
9 readings•Total 92 minutes
How do you measure output and impact?•10 minutes
Optional Video: Adapting to a Changing Climate•15 minutes
Providing Meaningful Peer Feedback•10 minutes
About This Lesson•2 minutes
Optional Reading: Nemote Nenquimo•15 minutes
Optional Podcast: David Lammy•10 minutes
Optional Reading: Yande Banda and Reuben Sapetulu•5 minutes
Why Local Action is Crucial to Addressing Global Climate Change•10 minutes
Optional Reading: Rewilding Case Studies•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•20 minutes
1 peer review•Total 35 minutes
Share a Solution to an Environmental Problem•35 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
How can environmental leaders leverage innovation to drive sustainable change?•10 minutes
What strategies can be employed to foster collaboration and overcome resistance in environmental initiatives?•10 minutes
How does empowerment of team members contribute to the success of environmental leadership efforts?•10 minutes
Ethical Leadership and Reflection on Environmental Impact
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
We’ll take a look at how to apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios that require you to face ethical dilemmas while making environmental decisions. To conclude the course, you’ll consider how you want to apply environmental leadership to your own personal or professional life and set goals for how you can continue to develop after this course.
Duke University has about 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.