The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals established in 2015 by the United Nations as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future". One of the goals is setting up a sustainable food system that will end food insecurity and improve nutrition by 2030. A sustainable food system is defined as “a food system that delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations are not compromised.” In this class, we will explore the challenges to building a sustainable food system on a global scale and look at examples of sustainable food initiatives, including one of MIT Engineers Without Borders’ projects. In the end, students will brainstorm solutions to a hypothetical scenario in which a community is facing food insecurity based on the principles of a sustainable food system.

Interested in water? In this class, you will learn about different water treatment technologies and plastic pollution. By the end of the class, you will also get to leave with your own handmade water filter!