FW 325: Seeking Solutions to 
Global Crises in 
Resource Ecology

Course Overview

Students will examine the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of four human-driven “wicked problems”- overpopulation, climate change, deforestation, and overfishing. These global crises are complex and often interconnected, making them difficult to solve and requiring collaborative approaches and systems thinking.

In this course, you’ll work in teams to investigate the drivers, pathways, and consequences of each crisis, and consider how different communities and stakeholders are affected. Together, you will apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate a range of potential responses and design scalable, interdisciplinary solutions that balance human needs with long-term ecological sustainability. This work will promote holistic thinking and inclusive, science-informed decision-making—better equipping you to contribute to effective conservation efforts in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.

Visit the Schedule of Classes for more information and to register.

Course Activities

• Collaboratively analyze causes & impacts of contemporary environmental crises
• Identify stakeholder-specific challenges and co-develop potential solutions
• Create and share tailored messages for diverse audiences in resource ecology