It is undeniable that human activity has influenced and fundamentally altered the planet. Our influence has impacted every aspect of Earth, from its ecosystems and geochemistry to its atmosphere and deepest oceans. These effects are now so strong that many have argued that we are entering a new geological epoch, in which humans are the major driving force, known as the Anthropocene Era .
Labeling this era as the Anthropocene puts humans in the center of all activities and processes on Earth. This might seem a little egoistic, but actually it is a useful idea because it means that as well as being the major driver of changes, humans are viewed as the source of finding solutions to issues of sustainability.
In the Anthropocene, it is you and I who can effect change, foster awareness of global issues, and shape future action for a meaningful, positive outcome.
To do so, we need collaboration not only across all human systems, such as governments, companies, and local communities, but also across social and ecological systems. We need to engage in multi-level governance and interconnected solutions. This is precisely what the United Nations aimed to do in a global conference on sustainable development in 2015.
This short video illustrates the notion of the Anthropocene, its challenges and the potential opportunities available for us: The Anthropocene Period and its Challenges.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In 2015, the United Nations and associated countries adopted a set of guiding aims to:
- End poverty
- Protect the planet
- Ensure prosperity for all
These aims were broken down into 17 specific goals to be achieved by 2030, seen in the graphic below:
These goals were developed based on a 2008 report called State of the Future, which highlighted the following challenges that humanity needs to address at a local, regional, and global level:
As you can no doubt see, these broad challenges are highly interdependent, and must be addressed in a coherent, coordinated fashion. We cannot just try to solve one problem, because they often transcend national boundaries and require collective efforts between governments, international organizations, corporations, universities, non-government organizations as well as innovative individuals.
|
The 2015-16 State of the Future Report follows up on the challenges defined in the 2008 report and provides a report card on the progress made along each of the identified challenges. What is unique about the SDGs is that it explicitly ties together social well-being and ecological sustainability. The SDGs address not just “sustainability” but “sustainable development”. These goals recognize that “ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection”. |
For this class, I encourage you to explore each of the 17 sustainable development goals. In particular, pay attention to:
Goal 8: relating to sustainable economic growth and employment
Goal 12 – concerning sustainable consumption and production
Supplementary Resources
Aloisi de Larderel “Sustainable Development – The Role of Business”
International Chamber of Commerce ” Business Charter for Sustainable Development”
Forbes Article “Sustainable Business and Sustainable Development – Same coin, Two sides”