There is only one planet and with the increasing issues associated with climate change and their devastating effects on the lives of millions of people, changes need to be made. The United Nations is well aware of the need for us all to work together to create a more sustainable future, now and for future generations, and launched their Sustainable Development Goals ('SDG') to help everyone collectively come together to make a difference.
It is recognised that:
"No individual, business, community or government can single-handedly resolve some of the challenges that we face but together, we can make a difference and make the world a better place in which to live."
The SDG’s set out to address the challenges faced and take steps to encourage us all to change – patterns and behaviours that ultimately are causing devastating harm to the planet.
So what are the SDG’s:
No poverty – donate what you don’t use or need.
No hunger – waste less food, shop local, eat seasonally and support local farmers and food producers.
Good health and wellbeing
Quality education – help educate the children in your community.
Gender equality – empower women and girls and ensure their equal rights.
Clean water and sanitation – avoid wasting water as water scarcity already affects 40% of the world’s population.
Affordable and clean energy – reduce consumption and use energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Decent work and economic growth – create job opportunities for the next generation.
Industry, innovation and infrastructure – fund projects that provide basic infrastructure.
Reduced inequalities – support the marginalised and disadvantaged.
Sustainable cities and communities – bike, walk or use public transport.
Responsible consumption and production – recycle as much as you can.
Climate action – act now to stop global warming.
Life below water – avoid plastic bags and help to keep the oceans clean.
Life on land – plant a tree and help protect the environment.
Peace, justice and strong institutions -stand up for human rights.
Partnerships – lobby government to boost development financing.
The world is at risk of all sorts of challenges with climate change front and foremost in many minds and we need to collectively take steps to make a difference. Every small step that individuals take to consume less, waste less, remove plastic from their lives, reduce the production of carbon dioxide, changing eating habits to planting trees and being kind to each other will impact on the planet and make a contribution.
The planet is a fragile, inter-connected thing and together we can make a difference – we HAVE too.
