This course examines the ways in which today's complex and cross-scale socio-environmental issues are perceived, understood, and addressed by a variety of stakeholders (scientists, policy makers, the business community, technological innovators, thought leaders, citizen action groups) and different collectives (from epistemic communities to science-policy institutional interfaces). Through interactive lectures and classroom discussions, students examine the influence of emergent narratives and associated conceptual frameworks on core questions such as: How are so-called 'contemporary environmental problems' actually defined? Who and what is considered relevant to causing and resolving them? What solutions are favored or discounted, both formally (in law and policy) and informally (in practice)? By working with a range of real-world case studies and preparing two mini-projects, students critically assess the effectiveness of existing science-policy interfaces and further reflect on the crucial importance of issue framing for the development of more effective and inclusive environmental problem solving.