In this unit students will be introduced to the concept of sustainability literacy through the framework of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Students will critically discuss these goals and challenges—and the contested definitions of sustainability underpinning them—in relation to their daily lives, their local communities, Australia and the broader world. Sustainability literacy means having the capacity to recognise, reflect upon and communicate those aspects of life that are relevant to environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability.

The unit will introduce the relationship between scientific knowledge and human values in the context of questions of sustainability, and develop skills in critical thinking and analysis. The unit will equip students to contribute constructively to sustainability initiatives in their local communities by learning how to identify, evaluate and communicate an effective solution to a sustainability challenge. The unit will develop sustainability literacy by drawing on examples from contemporary society and the lived experience of students in the unit. The purpose of the unit is not to cultivate a particular attitude toward issues relevant to sustainability, but rather, to give students the capacity to critically engage with issues relevant to sustainability. This unit will prepare students to engage with the challenges of sustainability that humanity will face in the future by developing sustainability literacy.