Earth, Energy and Sustainability (BSc Major of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges)
At the start of the 20th century there were fewer than 2 billion people. Now at over 7 billion, Earth’s population is on target to reach 8 billion by 2027. How has this dramatic increase in human population impacted Earth’s life support systems and natural resources? How should we understand the meaning of sustainability? How do we achieve a sustainable society?
The Major BSc. Earth, Energy and Sustainability is part of the Bachelor's programme Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges at Leiden University College in The Hague. Students choose a Major at the end of their first year and their focus is largely on their Major in the second and third year of their studies.
Paul Hudson
Major Convener Earth, Energy and Sustainability
''The Earth, Energy and Sustainability major operates at the forefront of the field of environmental sciences, with a balance between understanding key concepts within a classroom setting, and applying the gained knowledge in real-life situations.''
Anya Al-Salem
Alumni Earth, Energy and Sustainability
''I strongly believe sustainability challenges are the most critical issues of our time, and this major gave me a solid foundation to understand and help solve these problems. It allows you to explore a range of areas in the sustainability field while simultaneously focusing on the topics and methods that interest you most.''
''For example, I especially liked the energy-related courses in Earth, Energy and Sustainabiluty, which led me to specialize in sustainable energy for my master’s programme.''
Due to the selected cookie settings, we cannot show this video here.
Watch the video on the original website orThe Earth, Energy and Sustainability Major
The Earth, Energy and Sustainability (EES) Major operates at the forefront of environmental sciences, with a balance between understanding key concepts within a classroom setting, and applying the gained knowledge in real-life situations, both in the field and in the laboratory. Currently at 8 billion, the Earth’s population is on target to reach close to 10 billion by 2050. What are some of the key environmental challenges related to this population growth now, and in the future? What can you do to make a real change in this world? These are key questions addressed in the major Earth, Energy & Sustainability at LUC. These are key questions addressed in the major Earth, Energy & Sustainability at Leiden University College The Hague. At LUC we emphasize that sustainability ultimately exists within a human context. Therefore, there are many crosslinks within the major to the social sciences through courses such as environmental economics, common pool resource management, and environmental governance.
In this major, we examine questions such as...
- How can we mitigate climate change, and limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius?
- What are GMOs, and what are the opportunities and risks associated with using them?
- How is the impact of climate change related to food systems?
- How is biodiversity loss related to biofuel production?
- How do we decarbonise our economies? And how do we do so in a way that is fast, fair, and largescale?
What does the future hold?
Due to the broad nature of the Liberal Arts & Sciences degree and the strong interdisciplinary skills developed in the programme, graduates are in demand on the labor market. Liberal Arts & Sciences students go in many different directions after graduation. Your major is a key stepping stone in your path towards a Master's degree or future career.
It is common for Liberal Arts & Sciences graduates to pursue a master's degree, to further challenge themselves and to specialize. The master's builds on knowledge gained in the major as well as the programme as a whole. Some examples of master's programmes that students with a major in Earth, Energy and Sustainability pursued:
- MSc Energy Science @ Utrecht University, The Netherlands
- MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Management @ Oxford University, UK
During and after their studies, students pursue many different extracurriculars, engage in internships or follow master's degrees. Due to the wide variety of experiences and goals, each career path is different. Some examples of career paths that students with a major in Earth, Energy and Sustainability pursued:
- Environmental Consultancy
- Research
- Advisor Government or NGO
Curious?
Read more about this unique study programme on the programme website, see our upcoming events or read how to apply!
Chat with a student from this Major