1.5° Lifestyles: Mainstreaming Everyday Sustainability

How can we transition to 1.5° lifestyles - living sustainably: being healthy and happy while living within planetary boundaries and carbon budgets? Such a transition requires not only individual changes, but also changes on a societal level - from the communities in which we live to changes to the fundamental structures and values of society. In this course, learners explore the interplay between consumption patterns, behavioral drivers, societal structures, and policy implications to understand how to mainstream 1.5° lifestyles. The course is unique in drawing from the EU-funded “EU 1.5° Lifestyles” research project, providing cutting-edge insights, practical tools, and case studies. Its interdisciplinary approach, grounded in real-world research and co-creation with diverse communities, ensures relevance and actionable insights. While based on EU findings, the course invites global perspectives to reflect on differences between contexts and foster collaborative learning. Learning Objectives: • Understand the concept of 1.5° lifestyles and the urgency of systemic change. • Analyze individual and household contributions to carbon footprints and explore practical, low-carbon options. • Examine societal structures and policies that support sustainable transformations. • Gain tools and strategies to envision and contribute to a sustainable future. Overview of course: • Module 1: Understanding the 1.5° Challenge. This module lays the foundation by explaining the urgency of the 1.5°C target, the Paris Agreement, and systemic perspectives that connect individual consumption to broader societal goals, setting the stage for deeper engagement with sustainable lifestyles. • Module 2: Empowering Individuals and Households. Building on the global perspective, this module shifts focus to personal and household-level actions that contribute to a 1.5°C vision and drive meaningful change. • Module 3: Transforming Societal Structures. The final module examines the broader systemic and structural changes required to enable 1.5°C lifestyles. It highlights the interplay between societal structures, individual agency, and transformative narratives, addressing key structural barriers. The course is designed for students, working professionals, business leaders, policymakers, educators, and anyone curious about the intersection of lifestyle choices, climate action, and sustainable societies.