What are the United Nations SDG's and Why you Should Care
Posted by Brynnejamin . on
In 2015, 196 countries came together and agreed on a set of goals to help the world become more sustainable. These goals are called the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and range from ending poverty to saving tigers from extinction. The United Nations has developed sustainable development goals (SDGs) aimed to create a more sustainable planet. There are 17 goals total each contributing to the health of the planet and the people within it.
The role of technology with humans
Since the dawn of time people have been inventing tools (or technology) to help create what they want. Whether it is the creation of a fork or spear for fishing, these pieces of technology helped humanity to become what we are today. Though climate change is a huge problem to tackle, it is no different. We want a sustainable planet to live on and we can develop technology in order to make that happen.
Technology has been a part of our world for centuries, and the UN SDGs recognize this. Goal 12 is to "ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns," which includes a focus on environmental protection.
Technology can be used to both protect the environment and create a sustainable society. For example, electric cars have lower emissions than traditional gas-powered cars, so they help reduce pollution. The development of artificial intelligence might also play a role in helping us achieve sustainability goals.
There are many ways technology can help the planet reach sustainability goals. In this post, we'll explore two of them: recycling and renewable energy sources.
How sustainable technology will help the climate
In the digital age we are connected more than ever. Technology will bring us together to help ensure the sustainable development goals are reached. If we are going to create a global sustainability movement then we need global reach and new technologies are needed for that expansion to occur. The SDGs call for innovation in technology that will help to create a more sustainable planet. Whether that's in carbon sequestration technology or in tech that helps reduce emissions; just like throughout humanity, technology will be vital in the achievement of development.
There is a lot of tech out there currently but here's some quick thoughts:
One way innovation occurs is through financial incentives such as the carbon tax. If we charge companies and governments for their emissions then this would incentivize them to reduce their emissions in order to not have to pay out so much money. This would create a market for capturing of greenhouse gases in emissions and green technology. The circular economy will also incentivize technological development in finding new ways to re-use products and materials that have been previously thought to be trash.
With the development and implementation of more renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas sequestration technologies we can reduce emissions and pull the emissions that are currently in the atmosphere and the ocean. Without radically reducing emissions we will not reach the climate goals in time.
The development of weather prediction technology will also be integral in the future of the climate crisis. If we are able to predict more accurately climate events caused by global warming we will be able to strategize and implement ways to avoid these catastrophes. Having a concise cause and event report will create a sense of urgency in those who still deny the crisis we are in.
Why You Should Care and Act Now
We are in a defining decade with global warming affecting our day to day lives. If we do not prevent the globe from warming 1.5 degrees in this decade we will be seeing an increase in natural disasters all across the globe. Everyone needs to do what they can to help reduce emissions.
There's been a lot of talk about these goals in recent years, but it can be hard to know how to get involved.
The first step is understanding what each goal means. The SDGs are broken up into three main categories: economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Each has its own set of five goals so that nations can work on them together. Read through each category so you have an idea of what all seventeen goals entail. You'll find that some will resonate with you more than others and see what you can do within each category. The UN provides tips and tricks that you can do to help protect our earth.
If you make any of these changes please message us and let us know. We are calculating our CO2 emissions saved and would love to hear from you! Together we can save the world!