GREEN at Yale is teaching a class that examines the effectiveness of both small- and large-scale sustainable solutions and reconciles both approaches out of necessity in order to tackle the climate crisis. There are no course prerequisites, but basic knowledge about human-driven climate change and its different manifestations are helpful.

In this class, we will critically examine how the growth-based economic logic of capitalism is fundamentally in conflict with atmospheric limits. We also consider the phenomenon of consumerism, as it exacerbates the unsustainable practices of capitalism and leads to the generation of excessive waste that undermines our relationship with the Earth

This class exposes students to zero waste living, by someone who lives zero waste herself! We will have more of an informal conversation on this subject, where students can learn about zero waste practices such as composting, repurposing old items, ditching disposables, and making one’s own products!

We live in a society that fetishizes a high-consumption and egocentric lifestyle and is eradicating our environment. The differences of others -- whether that be political alignment, color of skin, or religious convictions -- obstruct us from acknowledging the one thing that we all have in common, which is our humanness. The desire to “fit in” fosters ignorance about the issues that plague our collective home. The social structures that govern us are our principal oppressors. This course seeks to offer an alternative perspective towards the world and encourage you to reflect on how you operate within it.

As the dangers of climate change and unsustainable practices have begun to enter our radar, we must ask ourselves: What am I doing that is contributing to these problems? What can I do differently? This course offers answers to these pressing questions, with hopes to inspire students to become leaders in sustainability and in the climate change fight.