Sustainability & Us: Situationship or a destined marriage??
Overwhelmed with the slangs my gen-z sister uses and her mindless justifications , it sometimes makes me doubtful or rather ‘Sus’…so I decided to school her tweaking some gen-z slangs.
What the Sus..!!!
Sustainable development simply means to cater to today’s generation needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Why it matters to you??
Well, making sustainable choices like saving water, energy or preventing plastics have direct impact on your health, your medical bills and the overall planet. Post corona period and the climate change buzzword looming large, sustainability is a necessity rather than option for a cleaner and a healthier planet.
The Goals( not the couple ones)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),is an urgent call for action by all countries — developed and developing — in a global partnership for a peaceful and prosperous planet. For the deep diggers, check out this link.
According to 9th UN Sustainable Development Report 2024, only 16% targets are on track and 84 % of SDG showed limited progress much attributed to the overconsumption of fossil fuels by developed countries like USA.
“North world has 20% world population but 80% of world’s energy”.
Get Aseem Singh’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Here the north refers to the describe the wealthier countries in the world, which include the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
India and SDG
According to the Niti Aayog SDG India Index 2023–2024, a tool to track India’s progress towards SDG, we are improving with a score of 71 compared to previous 66.India acknowledges that the path to achieving the SDGs requires addressing both the pressing challenges of the present and the aspirations for the future. This means balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, ensuring social inclusion, and fostering innovation to tackle emerging global issues.
Challenges..
Rapid Industralization requiring fossil fuels and high carbon footprints.
Climate &Environment degradation in form of droughts and high temperatures.
Unequitable access of resources due to high population density.
Lack of awareness amongst masses leading to less adoption.
Solutions..
Promote and incentivize clean energy investments like EV and solar panels. ex. National Solar Mission: India has become one of the world’s largest markets for solar energy, with the goal of generating 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
Targeted government policies to make it accessible for all. Some examples are Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and MGNREGA to ensure better financial inclusion and employment security for the marginalized.
Promoting Cooperatives ,NGO’S and self help groups in rural areas to educate them about social welfare schemes such as the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), providing financial support to the elderly, widows, and differently-abled.
Leveraging technology like AI to enhance R&D in clean tech and building skill development centres throughout the country. ex .Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through support for incubators, innovation labs, and funding for startups.
Focus on smart cities, green buildings, and sustainable transportation networks to reduce congestion and pollution.
Our role…
Enlighten our peers about adopting sustainability as a way of life by making conscious choices like consuming plant based diets, eco friendly shopping and using public transportation for mobility. Even a small change like reducing your screen time can have a big impact on the planet.
Way forward…
Dwelling in a tech-driven India, where AI is deciding what we watch, eat, and even how we commute, sustainability has become the ultimate “software update” we all need. With climate change throwing curveballs and technology evolving faster than our ability to keep up, we can’t afford to hit “ignore” on sustainability. It’s time for all of stakeholders— whether you’re government, community, or a CEO — to embrace green practices and make SDGs the next big trend, because let’s face it, we can’t afford to let our planet crash like a slow Wi-Fi connection!
“Save the planet — it’s the only one with great Wi-Fi and delicious food!”
