By Avinash Kumar Pandey
After 2015, a new set of goals have been adopted. It is composed of 17 goals. We already know that earth is now warmer than it’s been in 12000 years and the concentration of carbon dioxide- a potent greenhouse gas is likely the highest it has been in 15 million years ago. Antarctica- home to the greatest ice sheets on earth is also melting faster than it was melting a decade ago. The world is on pace to warm by the end of the century if current trends continue, says the reports.
About 10% of the wildlife of Indian perilous state are near about to be extinct. Biodiversity in agriculture has been reduced by over 90%. Half of the water bodies are polluted and aren’t left for drinking purpose. Two- thirds of the land is facing degradation. Everything (air, water, soil etc) have been polluted due to human activities. Earth’s health is declining, so there is a need of adopting and enforcing these goals with seriousness.
Sustainable Development Goals, also known as Global Goals have been set up by the United Nations. The word sustainable development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
But point to be noted that its focus goes beyond just environment. It’s about ensuring a strong, healthy and equal society. Before these goals, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) had been taken into consideration by the UN. SDGs are composed of 17 goals, which are further broken into 169 targets, in total.
Goal 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. For this to be possible schemes like Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act 2005, National Social Assistance Scheme has been started in India.
Goal 2 aims to end hunger, achieve good security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. For this to come true schemes like Mid Day Meal, Poshan Abhiyan etc. have been started.
Goal 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all of all ages which are boosted from schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Red Line Campaign, Janani Suraksha Yojana etc.
Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all which is being accomplished in India with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan etc.
Goal 5 aims to ensure gender equality.
Goal 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, in India Swachh Bharat Mission, National Mission for Clean Ganga etc. are boosting this aim to be accomplished.
Goal 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all for which National Solar Mission, Pahal Gas Scheme etc. have been started in India.
Goal 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Goal 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation which is being accomplished with schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, Digital India etc. in India.
Goal 10 aims to reduce inequality.
Goal 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, India is trying to achieve it with the help of schemes like the National Smart Cities Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Goal 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Goal 13 aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Goal 14 aims to conserve and sustain the use of ocean, sea and marine resources.
Goal 15 aims to protect life on land.
Goal 16 aims to promote peace, justice and strong institutes.
Last but not least Goal 17 aims to strengthen the means of implementation and partnership for global efforts.
Hence, we can conclude that sustainable development goals are balancing social, economic and environmental sustainability. We can say that SDG’s goals are integrated, as action in one area will definitely affect the outcome of the other area.
So everyone is required to achieve these ambitious targets. Creativity, know-how technology, financial resources from all the society is necessary to achieve the SDGs in every context.
