Tag: sustainable living

Recently a spike in human suffering has risen around the world. This pandemic has bubbled over emotions brewing under the surface. So now we’re seeing outbursts of racial tensions, hunger, and anger. People are in a mad search to find things that are the most important in everyone’s life. This anger comes from suffering an acute case of “world order”.

Historically, pockets of tension have already risen up to create awareness. But, all around the world, their rise and fall eventually fade away. The world’s sense of order remains intact and its business, as usual.

The struggle to get those things most important to everyone’s life

People who “fight the system” want a sense of order. This order would give them the right to live free from persecution. The trouble today is the distribution of wealth is so badly skewed. Therefore, making it near impossible to fix fundamental social issues. People want to live their dreams, capture happiness, and enjoy life. But, segregation from these values is the root cause of poverty around the world.

So, how do we make everyone’s life great? The definition of greatness can mean so many things! But, to me, I believe it’s achieved by solving more problems than we create! There is one organization that dedicates it’s time to solving problems made by the current world order.

The United Nations is well respected and one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It’s a panel of sovereign states bound by a treaty that acts as a charter. This charter was created after World War 2 to prevent wars in the future. Its duties include but are not limited to maintaining peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

They’ve created 17 sustainable development goals that are important in everyone’s life. It’s basically a framework that will give the people in the developing world sustainable lives. These people want to live more like us.

END POVERTY

The good news is extreme poverty has declined over 25% in 25 years. However, the bad news is COVID-19 threatens this progress. The World Institute For Development, Economics & Research has issued a warning. Global poverty will increase by 8% within the global population. Nobody wants to live in poverty. The means for a living is one of the things most important in everyone’s life.

ZERO HUNGER

Wars and conflicts coupled with climate change and economic downturns have caused hunger to increase over the past five years. A quarter of a billion people are at extreme risk of starvation! Only a profound change will manage to feed those in need and the additional 2 billion people expected by 2050.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

This umbrella of well-being supports women and children. Children 5 and under that live in poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Yemen have a poor chance of survival. So, they’re educating women in contraception and maternal health. It’s the continuing fight of diseases such as Malaria, AIDS, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis. So that global incidence will decrease. The UN has also proposed a goal for universal health care.

QUALITY EDUCATION

It’s hard to believe that there is still 617 million youth who lack basic math, reading, and writing skills! 50% of these children struggle to get an education because of regional conflicts. All children should have equal opportunity to access all levels of education every step of the way. Knowledge is one of the things most important in everyone’s life.

GENDER EQUALITY

Currently 1 in 5 women between the ages of 15 – 49 experience physical or sexual abuse by their partner. Giving girls confidence is important. The best way to help is by giving opportunities for quality education and leadership roles. Laws should soon pass so children won’t be forced into early marriages. The violence still happens today and unfortunately, the COVID pandemic is working to reverse the limited progress.

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Billions of people don’t have access to clean water! As a matter of fact, 1 in 3 people worldwide DO NOT have access to clean drinking water at all! This number is deplorable. What’s even worse, it’s the children that suffer the most. Up to 1000 die each day from preventable water-related diseases. It’s a sad state of affairs for so many and it needs to change. Everyone should have universal access to safe drinking water. Not to mention, reducing pollution to improve water quality. They’ll do this by building support for infrastructure to developing countries.

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Affordable technology that promotes clean energy is becoming a reality. So much money was sunk into this industry from both the public and private sector. Nevertheless, there are still 3 billion people that use dirty cooking fuels. The efficiency of fuel is a necessity to reduce Greenhouse gases. Improving fuel options and simultaneously giving electricity to those in need can be difficult to keep GHG emissions down. However, government policy options should provide the basis for more effective change.

DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

The trouble with this picture is that we should not have economic growth just to have decent work. The issue with economic growth is it undermines sustainable land practices, water practices, and climate action. More actions is needed to change government policy. The least developed countries need a boost in the employment sector. So young people have an opportunity in safe formal employment. Gender and racial inequalities must be addressed to prevent pay gaps. A decent job is one of the things most important in everyone’s life.

INDUSTRY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND INNOVATION

In recent years, there’s been a decoupling of CO2 and industrialization. The manufacturing industry has decreased carbon emissions. Between 2010 and 2016 emissions reduced by 3% annually. Yet, there was an increase in infrastructure in developing countries. Between 2010 and 2017 infrastructure reached a total of 32%. Innovations are the key to find lasting solutions to sustainable industrialization. However, there is still not enough support to help the least developed countries.

REDUCED INEQUALITIES

The issue of equal treatment has become a hot topic fueled by COVID-19 and racial tensions. The world has to relearn language and assumptions that have been taught throughout the years. The UN suggests there has been some progress in reducing relative income opportunities in some countries. Plus, there’s now more overall preferential trading with lower-income countries. However, COVID-19 has further widened the gap in existing inequalities. SO there’s a lot of work to do! Notably, boost developing country’s economies by giving them special treatment. Countries that struggle with conflict and climate change must migrate. Facilitating an orderly well-managed migration policy is key.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

There are not very many sustainable cities in the world. More than half of the world’s population lives in the city. Global City’s are responsible for 60% of the world’s GDP. Nonetheless, they’re also responsible for 70% of global carbon emissions. Another issue is the speed of which land is urbanized. If this happens too fast it results in an increased number of slums. The plan to increase sustainable urbanization and simultaneously reduce the environmental impact will be difficult.

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS

The world has consumed the resources that Mother Nature offers with a ravenous appetite. The educational system does not teach kids about sustainable economic practices. But instead, Earth is only just an anomaly in economics. It’s a sad reality that reflects a broken system. For instance, the world currently lets 1 trillion dollars of food rot each year. Yet, there are starving children dying every day. It’s projected that once the world reaches 9.6 billion people the world would need 3 Earth-like planets to sustain our current lifestyle. All countries have to work together to make this goal a success.

CLIMATE ACTION

Since COVID-19 CO2 levels will lessen to 6% of current peak levels. In light of the world’s longest pause, we’re still not out of the woods yet! (So to speak) Instead, somehow we will have to increase resiliency to natural disasters. Improve education, mitigate, adapt, and develop early warning systems. The world’s CO2 levels are increasing since populations are on the rise. Not to mention, countries have issues integrating climate change into national policies.

SUSTAINABLE WATER PRACTICES

The blue planet is our home and the ocean covers 3/4 of the Earth’s mass. It drives our weather, provides food, and the oxygen we breathe. It is life. We rely so heavily on the ocean. It’s estimated the worth of the global marine market is 3 trillion dollars. But, industrialization has polluted water causing acidification. The fish species serve the world as the largest source of protein yet numbers are declining.

SUSTAINABLE LAND PRACTICES

We take the processes of nature for granted when in fact it is critical to our survival. It provides us the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the clothes on our backs. The food chain is under constant pressure since we’ve altered 75% of the landmass. 1,000,000 plant and animal species are under threat of extinction. Deforestation and desertification are also a major threat to humankind. Land restoration is vital to the planet and its inhabitants.

PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE

How can we have peace and justice for people when we treat our planet the way we do! There will always be conflict, insecurity, and injustices when we can not live sustainably. The corruption, bribery, theft, and tax evasion cost developing countries 1.26 trillion dollars a year. The lack of resources and oppressive forces have fueled a cycle of poverty. The corrupt see it as an alternative to an otherwise impoverished life. Ending violence, exploitation, and reducing arms can strengthen society. However, it can only happen if we can change the world!

PARTNERSHIPS

The UN acknowledges that these are lofty goals for initiatives like these. They need cooperation from all levels of global, regional, national, and local levels. However, the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. Unfortunately. the world order has built a platform that segregates the developing world. Aid levels are falling and countries have not lived up to their pledge for financial assistance. To encourage trade the nations that struggle the most need help.

Does the UN have the ability to implement a plan to get us out of this mess? It seems to me that they’ll need superhero powers to make this happen! The issues are all interconnected. In many cases, you can not fix one without major improvement in another. The sustainable development plan must meet their targets by 2030.

These are the most important things in life. Kids want food, water, security, love, and a place to call home. They want opportunity and education just like you and me. Are these goals a pipe dream, a facade that gives the UN relevancy in today’s world? In the end, it doesn’t really matter. There is no one else who can make it happen!

It’s time to take a more holistic approach and start inventing new ways to replace synthetic chemicals and materials with natural alternatives. Communities around the world have an opportunity to harvest Planet, People Products. Support small organizations that are working to support these small villages, local artisans and grass root organizations. Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life in a meaningful way? Buy products from small companies working with villagers. These Seagrass market bags are a good way to support the artisans in Vietnam. It’s our pledge to work together to create a more natural, healthy and Eco-friendly planet.