In the light of making lemonade from the lemons that life has handed in us in the past couple of weeks, we have put together a list of 19 free courses you can take online.
SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE CHANGE
- The course focuses on key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history
- Offered by the University of Illinois (free via Coursera)
- https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainability
Sustainable Fashion
- In this course, we provide an overview of business model theory and discuss business models as essential tools in the transformation towards more sustainable businesses.
- Offered by Copenhagen Business School (free via Coursera)
- https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-fashion
Fashion and Sustainability: Understanding Luxury Fashion in a Changing World
- Get an introduction to issues, agendas and contexts relating to fashion and sustainability in a changing world.
- Offered by London College of Fashion, via Future Learn for free
- https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/fashion-and-sustainability
- Learn about the best environmental technologies for a sustainable development and how they are managed in various settings around the world. This course gives you an opportunity to learn about global trends that influence our environment and the living conditions and how different management systems and approaches that are used around the world to manage the environment.
- Offered by the Technical University of Denmark (free via Coursera)
- https://www.coursera.org/learn/global-environmental-management
Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change
- This class describes the science of global warming and the forecast for humans’ impact on Earth’s climate. Intended for an audience without much scientific background but a healthy sense of curiosity, the class brings together insights and perspectives from physics, chemistry, biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, and even some economics—all based on a foundation of simple mathematics (algebra).
- Free via Coursera (University of Chicago)
- https://www.coursera.org/learn/global-warming
- This course will cover topics such as facilitation process techniques, energy modeling, scenario building, innovation and policy making.
- Presented by University of Cape Town (free via Coursera)
- https://www.coursera.org/learn/climate-change-mitigation
CONSERVATION
National Geographic has a whole range of free courses focussing on conservation, available on their website.
Introduction to Conservation
- Explore the key issues in conservation, gain an awareness of the problems and challenges in the world we live in, and discover what you can do to help. Approximate time required: 14-16 hours (self-paced)
- Offered by National Geographic, for free.
- https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/introduction-to-conservation
Prioritisizing Species and Spaces
- Explore the biodiversity that makes up our planet and learn about why saving these species and spaces is vital for preserving our planet as we know it.
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours (self-paced)
- Offered by National Geographic, for free.
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https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/prioritizing-species-and-spaces
Understanding Illegal Wildlife Trade
- Explore the implications of illegal wildlife trade as well as the causes and impacts it has on wildlife.
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours (self-paced)
- Offered by National Geographic, for free.
- https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/understanding-illegal-wildlife-trade
Ocean Challenges and Solutions
- Explore how human activities are impacting our ocean’s ecosystem.
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours (self-paced)
- Offered by National Geographic, for free.
- https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/ocean-challenges-and-solutions
Conservation Project Planning
- Explore how to plan and implement an effective conservation project.
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours (self-paced)
- Offered by National Geographic, for free.
- https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/conservation-project-planning
Scientific Expeditions for Conservation (here)
- Explore how to plan an expedition and learn how they can contribute to advances in conservation.
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours (self-paced)
- Offered by National Geographic, for free.
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https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/scientific-expeditions
- An introduction to ecology and ecosystem dynamics using a systems thinking lens. Through a case study on Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, learners will explore how scientists study ecosystems, and investigate the complex array of factors that inform management efforts. At the end of the course, learners will be able to grapple with real-world conservation questions, such as whether an ecosystem can recover from anthropogenic disruption and what role humans can, and should, play in that recovery.
- Offered by the American Museum of Natural History (free on Coursera)
- https://www.coursera.org/learn/ecology-conservation
NAVIGATION
Basic Land Navigation: How to Find Your Way and Not Get Lost
- Practical ways to find your way across the terrain using only a map and a compass to guide you.
- Use a topographic map for orientation and a compass for direction to find your way across the terrain.
- R200 on Udemy
- https://www.udemy.com/course/basic-land-navigation/
Navigation & Mapping with Garmin GPS
- Your guide to creative mapping with OziExplorer & Garmin Basecamp and learning the many abilities of your GPS.
- R280 on Udemy
- https://www.udemy.com/course/navigation-mapping-with-garmin-gps/