As human beings, our ability to continue our lives in a healthy and prosperous manner depends on our correct use of the world's resources, that is, on adopting a sustainable life. We can say that it has become a necessity rather than a necessity to change and improve our habits, both individually and socially, within the framework of sustainability.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development, which is a development model that can meet the needs of both future generations and present generations, started to make a name for itself towards the end of the 20th century as a result of the industrial revolution, developments in production, and ecological crises in the world. With the international agreements signed in the 1990s, it has become a global implementation plan. The understanding of sustainable development is based on acting on a common denominator based on "sustainability" in many areas such as not only economic but also social development, business models and lifestyle. Sustainable development, which aims to shape both the present and the future in line with this common goal, is shaped by a good setup and parallelism of the relations between the environment and socioeconomic development. In other words, sustainable development, in its most general definition, is a holistic philosophy that evaluates the interaction of economic structure, social structure and environment together and acts for the development of both present and future generations.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” is a universal call to action that includes goals aimed to be achieved by the member states of the United Nations by the end of 2030.
The SDGs, which aim to end poverty, protect the environment, take measures against the climate crisis, share welfare and peace, were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 and entered into force in January 2016. The 17 SDGs and a total of 169 sub-targets for these goals is an overarching agenda that gets to the root causes of poverty and unites people to make positive change for both people and the world. It is extremely important that states, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organizations work in cooperation in achieving the goals that are aimed to be completed by 2030.
Goal 1: End Poverty
While the number of people living in extreme poverty has more than halved between 1990 and 2015, from 1,9 billion to 836 million, many still struggle to meet their most basic human needs, such as health, education, access to clean water and sanitation. Goal 1 aims to ensure that everyone has access to food, shelter, clothing, health and education so that they can participate fully in society.
Goal 2: End Hunger
This global goal expresses the goal of ending world hunger, achieving food security and good nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Goal 3: Health and Quality of Life
When people's health is good, the welfare of societies increases. Therefore, this aim aims to secure a healthy and quality life at all ages.
Goal 4: Quality Education
“Quality education” is the global goal of providing inclusive and equitable quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning opportunities. Progress in education has been very difficult in some developing regions, due to severe poverty, armed conflict and other immediate crises.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a fundamental human right, it is also critical to accelerating sustainable development. It has been proven time and again that the empowerment of women and girls creates a multiplier effect and accelerates economic growth and development in all areas.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of people worldwide; Due to global warming as a result of climate change, this rate, which is already at an alarming level, is expected to increase even more. While 1990 billion people have had access to better water and sanitation since 2,1, the shortage of safe drinking water supplies is a major problem affecting all continents.
Goal 7: Accessible and Clean Energy
The goal of accessible and clean energy includes providing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The global economy based on fossil fuels and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions are creating huge changes in our climate system. These changes affect all continents.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The goal of “Decent Work and Economic Growth” encompasses the promotion of stable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructures, support inclusive and sustainable industrialization and strengthen innovation. With more than half of the world's population living in cities, public transportation and renewable energy have become more important than ever. Supporting sustainable industries and investing in scientific research and innovation are important ways that make sustainable development possible.
Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities
Reducing inequalities within and between countries. Income inequality is a global problem that demands global solutions. The solution includes improving the regulation and monitoring of financial markets and institutions, directing development aid and foreign direct investment to areas where it is most needed.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Extreme poverty is often concentrated in urban areas; national and local governments are making efforts to accommodate the growing population in these areas. Making cities safe and sustainable means providing safe and accessible housing, transforming slums.
Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption
To ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns. To achieve economic growth and sustainable development, we must immediately reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. The efficient management of our common natural resources and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants are also important targets in achieving this goal.
Goal 13: Climate Action
Climate Action means taking immediate action to combat climate change and its effects. While the United Nations has declared climate change the greatest threat to development, the World Economic Forum has described it as a "serious existential risk to our world". The impact of climate change is not just an increase in temperatures.
Goal 14: Life in Water
To protect and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. More than three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, since 30% of the world's fish stocks are overused today, they have fallen below the level to produce sustainable products.
Goal 15: Terrestrial Life
The aim of “Terrestrial Life” is to protect and improve terrestrial ecosystems and to support their sustainable use; ensuring sustainable forest management; combating desertification; stopping and reversing land degradation; includes the objectives of preventing the loss of biodiversity.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The goal of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; Building peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development means ensuring access to justice for all and creating effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. High-intensity armed conflict and insecurity have devastating effects on the country's development; It affects economic growth and often creates injustices that can last for generations.
Goal 17: Partnerships for Purposes
Strengthening the means of implementation and reinvigorating the global partnership for sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved with a strong commitment to global partnership and cooperation. Our world is now more interconnected than ever before. Increasing access to technology and knowledge is an important way to share ideas and support innovation.
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