This 2 ECTS MOOC that combines theoretical content and participation in an experimental system for sustainable food consumption, allowing students to learn about food sustainability, while also putting the intent to eat more sustainably into action.
Turning intent into action towards sustainable food consumption in Finland
The Food Futures project develops a hands on system to translate the 1.5 degree lifestyles targets for sustainable food system in Finland into actionable steps that individuals can take towards them. The Paris Agreement requires considerable change in food consumption that includes meat reduction and increase of plant-based food consumption. This dietary change will have significant impact on overall Greenhouse Gas emissions from the agriculture field. The Food Futures project supports individuals to take concrete steps on daily basis.
Food Wellbeing and Sustainability index: visualizing the Food HandPrint
To evaluate and communicate the food sustainability to consumers, we use our signature Food Wellbeing and Sustainability index. The index has holistic set of metrics and three classes: Green, Yellow and Red that set recommendations for meal consumption and highlight the most sustainable HandPrint choices within lunch cafeterias or at home.
DLT technology to Measure, Record and Recognise sustainable food choices
We have created an experimental digital ecosystem that is linked to the course, in which we use DLT accounting and issue NFT FoodPrint tokens in order to facilitate micro acts of sustainable consumption. The students who take the MOOC may choose to participate in the experiment and to receive the FoodPrint tokens for their sustainable food choices.
The digital ecosystem & experiment:
We have developed a mobile app as a medium for the experiment. The app allows students to use it to validate their meal choices and receive FoodPrint tokens at any UniCafe cafeteria or at home. MOOC students can take part of the experiment and complete the course by using the app.
Course practicalities
8 theoretical and practical modules
4 hours per module
Self-paced lectures series with quizzes
Earn 2 ECTS and Foodprint tokens
Assessment
- Pass/No-Pass: Complete quizzes with 80% accuracy (retakes possible)
- Completion also requires recorded Food Futures app interactions, these can be completed either in the Helsinki Unicafe environment, or with directed and validated make up exercises
Learning objectives
Individual and collective impact data can inform an actionable tool to empower citizens to make informed consumption choices.
Using distributed ledger blockchain technologies, virtual communities can develop polycentric governance tools to measure, record, and recognize individual and collective impact, encouraging sustainable consumption patterns
Workload
2 ECTs (1 ECT = 27 hours) = 6.75/week for 8 weeks
- Lectures: 1 hour/week
- Readings: 1.5 hours/week
- Exercises & App Use: 2 hours/week
- Quizzes: 1 hour/week
- Learning Journal (for grade): 0.5 hour/week
- Technical Support (if necessary): 0.5 hour/week