The UN predicts we will be 9-10 billion people on Earth in 2050. Providing so many people with nutritious foods is a massive challenge and one that cannot be met by simply upscaling current practices regarding food production and consumption. Providing humanity with nutritional food is at the center of all decisions related to sustainable development.
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Transformation of the Global Food System
University of CopenhagenAbout this Course
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Beginner Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Introduction to the Global Food System
This first module is an introduction to the challenges facing society when we talk about the global food system. The Doughnut Economics and Planetary Boundaries frameworks are presented and the crucial role of the global food system described. Four areas of intervention in terms of transforming the global food system are identified. In addition, the four “levers” or “tools” identified in the UN 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report that society has at its disposal to transform the global food system are presented: Technology, Governance, Finance and Behavioral Change. These levers are all further developed in the following modules.
2 hours to complete
1 video (Total 7 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
4 readings
Agriculture and planetary boundaries 1h
TED talk (Video): Kate Raworth – A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow 15m
Additional material - Global Sustainable Development Report 2019
Additional material - Jevon's paradox
1 practice exercise
Week 16m
1 hour to complete
Boosting the Small
One of the essential elements for bringing the global food system onto a sustainable trajectory, is boosting, i.e., improving conditions for small-scale farmers, especially in the Global South. In this module, we look at the major challenges confronting small-scale farmers when it comes to access to information, finance, fertilizers, etc. These challenges can be met through the use of existing technologies, government intervention, and consumer awareness.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 31 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
5 videos
Natural nitrogen fixation8m
Better access to finance 5m
Sharing economy5m
A more fair trade system6m
1 reading
Agricultural Policies at a Glance15m
1 practice exercise
Week 210m
3 hours to complete
Transforming the big
The second essential element in a sustainable transformation of the global food system takes focuses on changes in industrialized, large-scale agricultural production. These practices must be changed in order to have a sustainable food system. This module identifies some of the kinds of changes needed and presents case studies showing how some actors are beginning the transformation process.
3 hours to complete
3 videos (Total 51 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
The connection between agriculture and deforestation40m
Overview over global agricultural land use45m
1 practice exercise
Week 310m
2 hours to complete
Losing less
The third essential element for transforming the global food system is reducing food loss and waste. Today, about a third of all of the food produced is never consumed. Thus, no nutritional value was created for the environmental degradation associated with the production of a large percentage of the food produced. If we can limit food loss and waste, it will be possible to stay within our planetary boundaries while feeding the increasing world population. A challenge in reducing this loss and waste is actually climate change. This module examines strategies for reducing food loss and waste.
2 hours to complete
3 videos (Total 35 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
1 reading
From Uniformity to Diversity20m
1 practice exercise
Week 412m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM TRANSFORMATION OF THE GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM
by SKAug 25, 2020
Very interesting course. I recommend it for every person who cares about protecting the environment and who wants to lead a healthier life in a better world for the future generations.
by KWJun 16, 2020
Brilliantly conceived and put together course covering the key touch points for sustainable food production moving forward, well done to the University of Copenhagen.
by JCSep 1, 2020
The course is very current and has relevant material and we'll researched papers. I recommend it to all with interests in agriculture and food chain system
by EAAug 9, 2020
Eye-opener and inspirational. Gives you an in depth view of the world's agricultural system and food value chain. Learned lots of lessons from this course!
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