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ENVS 205Sustainability: The Future We Want

Units
0.50
Faculty
Environment
Subject
Environment

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course introduces students to the goals, principles, and practices of sustainability. Sustainability thinking, policies, and programs aim to increase and maintain human well-being by integrating or reconciling current social and economic goals (e.g., economic growth; poverty alleviation; gender inequality) with long-term environmental objectives (e.g., improved environmental quality; climate stability; biodiversity conservation; and managing resources to ensure future access). Case studies are used to illustrate solutions for realizing sustainability, emphasizing efforts underway for reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The course assesses four intersecting and sometimes competing approaches for realizing sustainability: technological innovation; market-based approaches; state regulation and investment; and individual and collective ("grassroots") action. Key values underlying sustainability are explored, including notions of the "good life", democracy, social justice, and efficiency.

Prerequisites

  • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0815694146 / 150Online or by arrangement

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 08154190 / 150Online or by arrangement
LEC 701214181 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

45% liked it63% easy44% useful

From 31 ratings and 8 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Once again, one of those environment courses where the professor is extremely hands off and does not reply to discussion board questions or make an effort to be present for the class. Modules are a lot of work for an online course and are somewhat unreasonable. Modules are also very mind-numbing and hard to get through. Assignments are tedious and almost useless at the same time. For a lot of the assignments, the effort needed did not match the weight of the assignment which was extremely demotivating. I feel like if it was taught in person, it would be much better. Assignments due bi-weekly, weekly module quiz, and bonus activities make up your grade. Do not take as a bird course and only…

    Oct 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is for the most part a lot of writing for every single assignment and the quizzes are somewhat difficult. But as a warning, following the rubric for bonus assignments is not enough. You need to elaborate in paragraphs of text or you'll receive part marks for it, despite not being clearly stated in the syllabus.

    Apr 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • It might not be the most helpful course, but I found it relatively interesting compared to other electives. The content modules were well structured, so you didn't have to rely on external readings like 90% of other courses tell you to do.

    Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The course content is very dry and is entirely module readings, but if you like sustainability this course will allow you to learn about it and do some interesting assignments.

    Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Interesting, but definitely not a bird course. The weekly modules take about 3 hours, there's an online quiz each week, and 4 major essays. Probably easy if you're a social sciences student, but hard if you're used to eng courses.

    Nov 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

17 posts and comments in 13 threads mention ENVS 205, February 2020 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2023

Anyone taking BET 100 or ENVS 205 this semester? 1 point, 3 comments

u/Sea-Extension2167: “I wanna get some insight on these courses. Are they easy? I wanna take both online during my co-op and want to know if it's manageable. Thanks!”

u/Foreverevil316: “ENVS 205 is pretty easy, only \40 minutes of content a week because of quizzes, and the assignments that come every third week or so don't really take more than a couple hours plus I found them quite interesting”

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Spring 2023

Course selection advice from any ENVS or AFM students with Sustainability Specialization 1 point, 1 comment

u/Foreverevil316: “… Here are my options: ENVS 200 - Field Ecology ENVS 205 - Sustainability: The Future We Want ENVS 220 - Ecological Economics INDEV 200 - The Political Economy of Development For anyone who has taken these courses, which one was the easiest and most convenient, and which do you …”

u/Extra-Ad-7289: “I've heard that ENVS 205 is SUPER light. ENVS 200 and 220 are not super heavy and very fun (these and ERS 102 are my favourite courses I've taken in my entire undergrad). Taking INDEV 200 this term and really looking forward to it.”

u/anthondotym: “ENVS 205 had long online modules but otherwise was fairly light when i took it. there were also hella bonus opportunities”

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Easy pure/applied science courses 1 point, 2 comments

“Looking for any easy pure/applied science course suggestions to meet the breadth and dept requirements. …”

u/anthondotym: “for applied science, ENVS 205 needed no scientific background to take and was really interesting imo. the modules were a bit long but enjoyable. …”

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BIRD COURSES !!! 18 points, 26 comments

“No surprise, Spring 2023 courses suck. Please drop below chill courses that are offered this term (can be random, trying to find a final elective).”

u/EV2_Mapper: “Anyone know if ENVS205: Sustainability is an easy course?”

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Fall 2022

Winter 2023 online courses 1 point, 4 comments

“Unfortunately, I need to take 2 more courses in the winter 2023 term. Can anyone recommend 2 online only courses that don't take too much work to complete with a 70? …”

u/DIYPANDA07: “geog 207, envs 205, ers 215 - all from the faculty of environment”

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Spring 2022

A GUIDE ON HOW TO PLAN AN OPTION 29 points, 15 comments

u/1000Ditto: “… List of science courses with online version without prereqs include: biol 249, biol 240, che 102, chem 120, chem 123, chem 201,earth 121, envs 205, phys 111, phys 112, phys 391, sci 238 Based on the ECE NSE list, we can cross reference them and see that SCI 238 and EARTH 121 …”

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Spring 2021

Spring 2020

ENBUS 2 points, 1 comment

u/False-Jackfruit: “Hey guys, If anyone is in ENBUS (Im taking ENVS200, ENBUS375, ENVS205, ERS215 and MGMT244) and wants to help each other out with content or anything else let me know! Thanks”

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Winter 2020

Bird courses for Spring term? 9 points, 1 comment

“Interesting spring bird courses? Hey all, I know this has been asked here already, but I was wondering if anyone has seen any courses that look pretty easy for the spring term. …”

u/broccolipizza: “I'm also curious about ANTH 241. Other courses that seem interesting: ENVS 205 - Sustainable Future, PSYCH 236 - Psychology of Human Sexuality, ENGL 306A - Intro to linguistics, ENGL108P - Popular Potter”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar