What does this goal of “Responsible consumption and production”aims to bring into the world?In fact,rather than this, the crucial part is more on as to how it could happen? This concerns mainly on the protection of natural resources,sustainable infrastructure,an environment free of population ,green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. So,if this is what it aims to bring what would that ensure us at the end of the day?
In fact,its implementation has the ultimate objective of achieving overall development plans, reducing economic, environmental and social costs, strengthening economic competitiveness and reducing poverty.
Looking at the current state of the world,material consumption of natural resources is increasing, particularly within Eastern Asia. Countries have begun to show up working agendas and certain campaigns in addressing the challenges concerning the air, water and soil pollution.
So Why actually is this goal important? Why should we put our concern on it significantly?
Should the global population reach 9.6 billion by 2050, it requires the space and the natural resources of almost three planets to sustain a normal life cycle. And yes, surprisingly there’s only 0.5 % of fresh ,drinkable water which we can rely on for all of man’s ecosystems and freshwater needs.
Our actions, the exploitation, corruption and certain political propagandas which certain groups of people and authorities highly deem as favorable for their own personal intentions take natural resources as a source of profit. This is what certainly leads to the destruction of the ecosystems.
Land degradation, declining soil fertility, unsustainable water use, overfishing and marine environment degradation are all lessening the ability of the natural resource base to supply food. This puts to light how responsible we should be in our consumption and provokes us to reflect on the remaining resources and their protection.
So, the question still remains on what should be the sustainable plan taken to work towards this goal?
Reducing resource use and degradation, pollution along the whole life cycle should be one of the prominent steps to be taken into action which also ensures a life of quality and sustainability. Moreover we should significantly focus on operating on supply chain, involving everyone from producer to final consumer. This includes, creating awareness on the specific goal and the provision of the necessary knowledge through standards and labels and engaging in sustainable public procurement, among others.
As the youth, we have the potential to work on productive plans and projects such as campaigns which aim to trigger individual action on the defining issues of our time. People around the world will be encouraged to make a difference in all facets of their lives, from the food they eat to the clothes they wear.
Moreover, it’s one of our obligations, not only as the youth but as a nation to support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
Besides, making the path for a sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products is another important step which can be taken into vigilance. Phasing out of the harmful subsidies reflecting on their dangerous environmental impacts and consideration of the possible worse outcomes on the poor lot along with the consolidation of the developed countries should be taken into visibility.
With all the facts and figures laid down as that, it brings to light how unaware we are of the harmful impact our irresponsible conduct in consumption and production does. With the ongoing developing technology, the unstoppable marketing of certain products by certain companies followed by the easiness it has promised in our lives we merely have overlooked on how irresponsible we have become in serving the nature. And most importantly the extent of the harm it creates is just within the visibility for which our response is extremely negative.