Time required: 30-40 minutes

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be familiar with:

• The goals of the Sustainability stream  
• Accessibility tools and helpful strategies for completing these modules  
• UNB’s commitment to sustainability 

You will also complete the Sustainability Literacy Assessment. 

Module summary

1. Introduction to Sustainability (5 min) 
2. Module accessibility (5 min)  
3. Taking good notes (5 min)  
4. Reflections in learning (5 min)  
5. Sustainability Literacy Assessment (10 min) 
6. UNB’s commitment to sustainability (5 min) 
7. Conclusion and summary (5 min)  

Call to action

Set aside 15-20 minutes to learn about some of the different organizations and groups dedicated to sustainability at UNB and in New Brunswick.  

Start module now

Time required: 60-70 minutes

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Understand what sustainability is and the differences between environmental, economic, and social sustainability 
• Understand the difference between adaptation and mitigation 
• Recognize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 
• Identify potential mitigating actions and the key obstacles limiting personal actions 
• Identify some of UNB’s efforts towards sustainability 

Module summary

1. Introduction to Sustainability (5 min) 
2. Introduction to the climate change crisis (5 min)  
3. Definitions (5 min)  
4. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (15 min)  
5. Circles of influence (5 min) 
6. Obstacles to sustainability action (10 min) 
7. Reflection (10 min)
8. Conclusion (5 min) 

Call to action

At the end of this module, you will receive a printable “Sustainability Cheat Sheet” with key definitions and resources.  

Start module now

Time required: 70-80 minutes

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define key terms: climate change, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gas, and carbon footprint
• Understand the mechanism for the Greenhouse Effect
• Understand the link between the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change
• Describe the role of the IPCC
• Understand key obstacles limiting your personal actions

Module summary

1. Introduction to climate change (5 min)
2. Understanding the Greenhouse Effect (5 min) 
3. Definitions (5 min)
4. The role of the IPCC (5 min) 
5. Connecting the SDGs and climate change (5 min)
6. Check your knowledge quiz (5 min)
7. Positive action and obstacles to action (10 min)
8. Calculate your carbon footprint (5 min)
9. Reflection (10 min)
10. Focus on: Eco-anxiety (5 min)
11. Conclusion (5 min) 

Call to action

Based on what you have learned in this module, brainstorm 5 possible actions you could take related to climate change and choose 1 to complete. (Ex. take steps to limit your carbon use, attend a meeting or join a climate justice organization, use art to express your eco-anxiety, join a eco-anxiety support group (ex. Facebook groups, art groups, etc.), join an environmental society)

Start module now

Time required: 70-80 minutes

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand what natural resources are and the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources
• Recognize the relationship between natural resources and proper waste management
• Understand and define the resource lifecycle and the waste management hierarchy
• Identify some of Canada, New Brunswick, and UNB’s efforts toward resource and waste management

Module summary

1. Introduction to natural resources (5 min)
2. Introduction to waste (5 min) 
3. Definitions (5 min)
4. Resource and product life cycle (10 min) 
5. Check your understanding (5 min)
6. Sustainable resource management (5 min)
7. Sustainable waste management (5 min)
8. Waste management hierarchy (5 min)
9. Reflection (10 min)
10. Resource and waste management in action (5 min)
11. Conclusion (5 min) 

Call to action

Get to know your trash by performing a waste audit!

A waste audit is an excellent tool to examine your personal waste stream. You'll sift through your trash and recycling to determine exactly what you’re throwing away. Reducing your waste is an individual journey that is no one-size-fits-all prescription. The waste audit will pinpoint your needs and provide a roadmap for reducing waste.

Tips for conducting a waste audit:

Keep a clipboard near your garbage can and recycling bin when completing your waste audit. Write down every item inside and add a tally mark next to recurring items. This will create a clear visual of where you're producing the most trash; then, you can focus on solutions for the most abundant items. Of course, the best way to limit how much you throw away is to determine how much you buy and bring to your home.

Read 101 ways to go zero waste for more tips

Kellogg, K. (2019). 101 ways to go zero waste. The Countryman Press.

Start module now

Time required: 60 minutes

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define social justice and social equity
• Understand the role of social equity and social justice in sustainability issues
• Identify organizations involved in sustainability and social justice
• Identify ways to get involved in supporting social justice issues relating to sustainability

Module summary

1. Introduction to sustainability and social justice (5 min)
2. Marginalized groups and identities (5 min) 
3. Definitions (5 min)
4. The role of social equity and social justice in sustainability (5 min)
5. Focus on: Climate justice (5 min)
6. Activity (10 min)
7. Canadian organizations supporting sustainability and social justice (5 min)
8. Reflection (10 min)
9. Conclusion (5 min) 

Call to action

Revisit the list of organizations involved in sustainability and social justice included in this module and take some time to explore the ones that seem most interesting to you. Are there ways you might be interested in getting involved with them? Have you learned anything new or surprising while exploring their site?

Start module now