EDUCATION CHAPTER
The concept of sustainable development first emerged in the 1960s to call for the integrated and balanced development of economics, society and environment.
"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Our Common Future (1987),
the World Commission on Environment and Development
In September 2015, all member states of the United Nations unanimously passed the “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The agenda laid out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets for action by member states.
Many SDGs focus on policy-making or international collaborations. Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, is one of them, covering the aspect of personal responsibility.
If we do not change the way we live, it will require the resources of three planets when the world population reaches 9.7 billion by 2050, according the United Nations. While the Earth cannot be recreated, changes must be made now for a sustainable future.
Green consumption is related to sustainable development and ascribes eco-responsibility to consumers, who are encouraged to weigh a product’s’ environmental impact and choose the option with lower impact when making purchases.
Manufacturing consumes energy and produces carbon emissions from mining, transportation, production up to waste disposal. Demand dictates supply: the more we buy, the more carbon emissions are generated. Green Consumption helps reduce overall carbon footprints.
The throwaway culture prioritises a product‘s latest design over its quality. Driven by desire, we often purchase more than necessary.
More waste is generated as we buy, be it green products or not. Therefore, taming one’s desires is the key to waste reduction.
“Waste not, want not” should be adopted as our life motto. Below are the 7Rs of a Zero Waste lifestyle which goes beyond conscientious consumption and should be applied in our everyday lives.
