UN Announces Ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, Asks for Help in Spreading the Word. Now, What's Next?

This September, after three years of negotiations, the United Nations adopted a slate of 17 Sustainability Goals (with 169 specific targets for action), also known as Agenda 2030, to replace the Millennium Development Goals from 2000.  The goals include eradicating extreme poverty, fighting against inequality and injustice, and addressing climate change. 

As evidenced in the preamble of Agenda 2030, the goals are ambitious:  "We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind."

With C02 and other greenhouse gasses rising, climate patterns shifting, and the environmental and human effects of our current global economy becoming more apparent, it seems the right time (if not a littlle late) to combine an understanding that environmental health, social justice, and global economic possibilities are absolutely tied together.  People who are hungry and poor or sick from unclean water can not be expected to take action for sustainable communities and infrastructure, for example.  And if we do not take climate action to protect our land and marine life, the environment will be far less healthy and supportive of the survival of our species as well.  And, to gain acceptance for the shift to an environmental economic focus, we must be able to lead and show and prove that a green and transparent economy is a real opportunity for all. 

The 17 goals are listed below.  

1.   No poverty
2.   Zero Hunger
3.   Good Health and Well-being
4.   Quality Education
5.   Gender Equality
6.   Clean Water and Sanitation
7.   Affordable and Clean Energy
8.   Decent Work and Economic Growth
9.   Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace and Justice - Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

The UN is asking everyone to help spread awareness of the 2030 Agenda, as it is difficult for people to fight for their rights and to ask others to help if the general population, and those who can help, is not more aware of what we’re fighting for. The UN has started a campaign with actors and activists alike to promote the goals, asking people to spread the word and asking specifically for people to share and post which of the goals they support.  Although this effort seems a little glossy and almost silly in some sense since one might find it hard to say which of these goals they do NOT support, the collaborative spirit is to be applauded wildly.  One could see this as a targeted opportunity to declare which goals a person or organization is ready to work on more actively.  

What can you do to spread the word?  Ideas include: Downloading the app, taking and sharing a Global Goals Selfie, making a global video, sharing on social media, and even talking to poeple one on one or in small groups. Be creative!  Anything you can think of to build awareness will support this effort.  And then it's up to the UN to provide information on what comes next and how people and orgaizations can participate - hopefully soon.  

In order to keep interest and make significant progress, the UN will have to provide great and actionable detail - and make rely clear who can do what - as this effort gets off the ground.  It may also help to de-emphasize the super star angle a little bit - this may help to get things rolling, but it’s going to take all of us, including many “regular” people to make a global economic, environmental, and social justice shift.  

But it is clear that if we are to make real changes we need to realize that we all share one Earth. We need to work to protect, sustain, and preserve this planet, and learn to live together peacefully and with equality so that we can build a brighter and prosperous future for all.  We must also be prepared to invest time, effort, and resources as well.  

Ok UN, what’s next?