Global society is at a critical crossroads. Biodiversity loss, climate destabilization, food insecurity, social inequity and resource scarcity collectively pose an existential threat to human welfare and social stability. Recognizing these global challenges, international and regional institutions have responded in identifying strategic goals and programming to begin the transition to a more sustainable society. This certificate focuses on the analysis of key ecological and social issues in sustainability from the regional to the global scale.

The Sustainability Issues certificate at UH West Oʻahu will develop students with the following key competencies: systems thinking; ability to work in diverse communities; work across disciplines; ethical decision-making; innovation; leadership and management skills. Through a holistic study of sustainability, the Sustainability Issues certificate aims to develop highly skilled and civic-minded graduates prepared to advance the green economy through new businesses and social enterprises, their chosen career path and preparing students for graduate-level training in disciplines such as Education, Hawaiian Studies, Anthropology, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Political Science or Urban and Regional Planning.