Sustainability. Ever since I know this world, I’ve always had this question, why everyone in this world cannot have access to all the basic resources to live, talk, eat, sleep, study, be healthy and have equal opportunities? why can’t they just be normal without any poverty dragging them behind? Everybody on this earth has an equal right to use nature, especially equal resources to live, no matter where they come from, or what they eat or do for a living. Also “Privilege comes with responsibility”. As we all have the right to use nature, it is our responsibility to preserve and take good care of it because we all do need it in every aspect of our life.
The word “sustainability” has various definitions, but basically, it means using the current resources without compromising the needs of future generations. The Industrial Revolution generated new opportunities in terms of economic growth, innovations, technologies etc., but it has its negative outcomes like pollution and hardships for workers. Plastic also plays a significant role in climatic change and pollution. Eventually, people started to focus on the problems and their solutions.
Everything led to the rise of the question, “how to continue this development besides avoiding the current problems which are increasing each day?”. Researchers and organisations started to adopt sustainable ways to make products and services like using renewable energy, no plastic usage, recycling and waste management. But there’s still a lot more to do to make this world a better place to live.
Not only climate change but other major problems are needed to be addressed and solved asap which include poverty, quality education for everyone, ensuring good health for everyone and peace. This is why United Nations has proposed a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) which are aimed to be achieved by 2030. As a community, country, and individuals we have to make this world achieve sustainability for a safer, greener, fairer and better place to live for future generations.
Below are the 17 SDGs that are proposed by the UN in 2015:
SDG 1: No Poverty
The first SDG aims to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce poverty in all its forms. It includes targets such as increasing access to education and social protection systems, creating decent work opportunities, and ensuring equal economic opportunities for all.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The second SDG seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition. Targets include doubling agricultural productivity and income, increasing access to nutritious food, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The third SDG aims to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages. This includes reducing maternal and child mortality, combating communicable diseases, and promoting mental health.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The fourth SDG aims to provide inclusive and equitable quality education for all. This includes ensuring access to education for all, improving the quality of education, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The fifth SDG aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. This includes ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls, promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes, and ensuring access to reproductive health and rights.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The sixth SDG seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Targets include improving access to safe and affordable drinking water, improving sanitation facilities, and reducing water pollution.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The seventh SDG aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This includes increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The eighth SDG seeks to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Targets include promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, ensuring safe and secure working environments, and promoting sustainable tourism.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The ninth SDG aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. Targets include improving access to transport and communication infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialisation, and increasing research and development.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The tenth SDG seeks to reduce inequality within and among countries. This includes promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all, and reducing inequalities in income, wealth, and opportunities.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The eleventh SDG aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Targets include improving access to affordable and sustainable housing, promoting sustainable transport, and protecting cultural and natural heritage.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The twelfth SDG aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. This includes promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable production practices.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The thirteenth SDG seeks to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Targets include increasing awareness and capacity for climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
SDG 14: Life Below Water
The fourteenth SDG aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. Targets include reducing marine pollution, conserving coastal and marine areas, and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The fifteenth SDG seeks to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity. Targets include reducing deforestation and desertification, promoting sustainable land management practices, and combating wildlife trafficking and poaching.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The sixteenth SDG aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. Targets include reducing violence, promoting the rule of law and human rights, and ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making processes.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The seventeenth SDG is focused on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development. This includes mobilising resources, enhancing policy coherence, and promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve the SDGs.
In summary, the Sustainable Development Goals provide a comprehensive framework for addressing the major challenges that humanity is facing, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Achieving these goals will require a collective effort by governments, businesses, civil society organisations, and individuals around the world. Small changes and efforts by each individual can make a bigger impact. By working together to achieve the SDGs, we can build a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all of us and our future generations.
You’re always welcome to discuss sustainability and ways to use technology to help achieve sustainable development goals. Happy reading!!!