UN Sustainable Development Goals: My Thoughts

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs

The idea of the U of T Sustainable Development Goals event was to empower Canadian youth by spreading awareness about these goals and inspiring us to make changes in our local communities. The host, Steve Lee, is an environmental activist and also a University of Toronto alumnus.

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 are divided into the "5 P's," which are organized as follows:

People - "Leaving no one behind"

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

4. Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Planet

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14. Conserve and sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Prosperity

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Peace

10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Partnerships

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

The point that Steve focused on was that each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is equally important, but that number 13, Climate Action, is the most urgent, meaning we must address it now. It may seem obvious to some, but others may not realize that if we do not change negative human impact on the planet, we will not exist. We will not be physically able to pursue the other development goals because we will all be dead.

It was interesting to hear Jamil Ahmad, Deputy Director of the UN Environment Program, speak about sustainable development and how it must meet our present needs without compromising the future of our planet. He mentioned an interesting topic, the "green economy," which works to decouple efficiency from environmental degradation. It prompted me to question American consumerism and our overproduction of stuff—fast fashion, plastic products, packaged food—to meet demand. How can a capitalist economy thrive if consumerism does not decline? The only way for the free market to adjust to this is if the consumers (i.e. each of us) lower their demand for unsustainable goods. It made me realize just how important it is for me to make smart consumer choices, like purchasing only items I truly need, and not owning, say, 3-4 pairs of sunglasses or 10 purses. If we all cut down on these demands and didn't buy into trends and cheap fashion from companies like H&M and Forever 21, we could make a huge impact on the planet by moving our economy in the right direction.

Furthermore, Mr. Ahmad spoke about renewable energy and transportation, emphasizing that these sectors will be of extreme importance in the near future. These are good areas to invest in and get jobs in. He showed us an example of a 100% carbon-free city that relied on solar energy, showing that transportation (even in individual cars) would be affordable for everyone.

After Mr. Ahmad’s speech, Steve gave some inspiring examples of ways in which these goals are actively being pursued. For goal five—achieving gender equality—he told us about a mapping project that globally researched and recorded gender based violence. For goal seven, in seeking affordable and clean energy, he explained Tesla's production of decentralized power systems (read more here). For goal eight, decent work and economic growth, he pointed us to eco.ca a site which will pay employers to hire students in the environmental labor market. For goal thirteen focusing on climate action, he told about a company called "thread" which produces fabric from recycled plastic water bottles. Like I said before, hearing about all of the cool things that are being done made me realize that there is hope.

http://www.unfpa.org/gender-based-violence

To conclude, Steve implored us to ask ourselves which goal/goals we would be best at focusing on in our communities. This was based on what I think will be an effective approach, which is having each individual contribute in the area that she/he is best at, so that collaboration will lead us to work together to reach the goals quickly and efficiently. In my community at U of T, I want to focus on #5 Gender Equality, and #16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions. I do agree that the goals seem lofty, but I think with this approach along with spreading awareness and inspiring leaders, real, positive change will occur.