We must rise higher to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals – and stay true to our promise of a world of peace, dignity and prosperity on a healthy planet.- António Guterres – Secretary General – United Nations
It all started In June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment.
Imagine a world without hunger and poverty. Where people live together in equity, and in peace. Where all conditions favour sustainable development, and all activities that do not contribute to the development of our planet are either taxed or banned. Imagine that world. Right now all we see are news flashes on top of news flashes desperately trying to get our attention, desperately trying to tell us how the world is going up in flames – trying to explain to us the urgency of sustainable development. Yet what do we do? We go on with our mundane everyday lives – the same routine EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Sustainable development refers to development in all forms in a way that meets the needs of the current generation without taking away the ability of future generations to do so. Once you actually think about it, let it sink into your mind, and you will understand that it is a truly beautiful concept. It enables us to be selfish in the sense that we preserve resources for ourselves and our children and our grandchildren- all while still contributing towards the greater good. You do not know the impact you make on the people that walk this earth just by one small action.
Sustainable development goals go far beyond merely economic development, they promote social development, the SDGs are fuel for the future of the world, a better tomorrow. The SDGs aim to promote awareness about and tackle important issues – global warming, poverty, malnutrition, economic inequality and the likes.
We must wake up, and we must work for sustainable development – it is our only ray of hope in the ever-increasing issues of the everyday world. The first step is to understand that the future of planet earth lies in our hands. One can only receive the steps and resources to building a healthy tomorrow – a guide of sorts, but the decision to implement these lies in the hands of the people of today.
