What are the Sustainable Development Goals?

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are part of a global plan established by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 to construct & implement public policies that aim to guide humanity until 2030. These goals are important because they define the list of tasks to be accomplished by governments, civil society, the private sector & all citizens on the collective journey towards a more sustainable world.

To accelerate progress towards the SDGs, it is necessary to raise awareness, take action &  hold decision-makers accountable for progress.

How can you be part of this?

Here are some ways to help the planet reach the goals by 2030 & alternatives to make everyone’s life better!

Goal 1: No Poverty

• Do volunteer work

• Participate in donation campaigns (money – those who can, food, warm clothes you no longer use, toys, etc.)

• Research what you can do to help needy communities around the world & in your location. Did you know that 736 million people still live in extreme poverty?

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

• Participate in the construction of vegetable gardens

• Participate in non-perishable food collection campaigns

• Avoid food waste at all costs

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Participate in blood & bone marrow donation campaigns

• Practice outdoor exercise

• Follow a healthy plant based diet

Goal 4: Quality Education

• Donate books

• Offer free classes & courses

• Participate in “adopt a student” campaigns with financial help & monthly monitoring. Nowadays, 57 million primary-aged children remain out of school, more than half of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

• Help women gain power in different areas, whether in politics (vote for women), arts, sciences, sports, or other fields

• Pay (& demand) the same salary for equal work

• Encourage a safe environment for reporting discrimination, harassment & racism

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Do not waste water. The world has lost 70% of its natural wetlands over the last century

• Fundraising for community projects

• Create networks that enable low-tech solutions to be taken to communities in need

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Conscious use of energy

• Support clean energy, if possible, try switching to a green energy provide

• Fight global warming. Energy is by far the main contributor to climate change. It accounts for 73% of human-caused greenhouse gases

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Promote & participate in lectures on financial education and worker rights

• Fight for your rights! Overall, 2 billion workers were in informal employment in 2016, accounting for 61% of the world’s workforce

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Promote sustainable industries

• Invest in scientific research & innovation

• Support the energy transition. Currently, 2.6 billion people in developing countries do not have access to constant electricity

Goal 10: Reduced Inequality

• Technical training & opportunities for minorities, for example, refugees

• Support for inclusive educational projects

• Ensure equal opportunity & reduce inequalities of outcome

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Joint efforts to clean & improve squares, beaches and other public spaces

• Encourage industries, businesses & consumers to recycle and reduce waste

• Walk, use public transport & other means that do not pollute the environment

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Choose sustainable, vintage & eco-friendly products

• Avoid single-use plastic & non-recyclable materials

• Be responsible with your consumption of food & products. Per year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted

Goal 13: Climate Action

• Choose low greenhouse gas transport

• Participate in climate strikes & demonstrations

• Support renewable energies. The energy sector alone will create around 18 million more jobs by 2030, focused specifically on sustainable energy.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

• Decrease the use of plastic. Currently, an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic litter are found on every square kilometer of ocean

• Reduce Pollutants. Choose nontoxic chemicals and dispose of herbicides, pesticides & cleaning products properly

Goal 15: Life on Lan

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

• Combat global poaching and trafficking. Do not buy products that are the result of illegal wildlife trade

Goal 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

• Promote free legal advice to social organizations & low-income people

• Fostering bottom-up empowerment

• Be an ethical, responsible and transparent person. Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost developing countries $ 1.26 trillion per year

Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

• It is a call for countries to align policies. It is a vision for improved and more equitable trade, as well as coordinated investment initiatives to promote sustainable development across borders

• Support and publicize collective financing projects for important causes

Author: Alba Forns

SOURCES:

• Aldeghi, M. L. (2020, July 1). Global Young Voices. Retrieved from Global Young Voices

• G. R. (2018, 12 20). Believe Earth (2020).

• Unicef

• United Nations Development Programme . (2021)

• Whaites, A. (2016). Achieving the impossible: Can we be SDG 16 believers?