Tips on Saving Planet Earth

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Inform. Inspire. Act.

On a personal level, every small contribution counts such as:

1. Reduce use of plastic particularly on water

2. Bike or walk instead of driving.

3. Turn off electric power when not in use

4. Keep gas-based vehicles in condition particularly tire pressure

5. Eat locally and organically grown food. Reduce red meat in diet.

6. Mind laundry chores on water and detergent use.

7. Higher temperature setting on AC helps.

8. Efficient driving.

9. Recycle old goods.

10. Tap public transpo even if inconvenient.

Where we see some saving the earth manifesting in the Philippines:

Transpo

• Biking

• Bike lanes

• Jeep modernization

• Work from home

• Aircon refrigerants

• Shift from gas and diesel to other sources

• Electric cars

• Walkable cities

School/ Mall

• Garbage segregation drive

• Water conservation

• Energy conservation

• Recycled water

• Planting trees

• Temperature control

• Neutral rest rooms

• Reduce. Reuse. Recycle

Barangay

• Garbage collection

• Plastic bottle collection

• Recycling

• No noise after 10 p.m.

• Junk shop

• Backyard gardening

Commerce

• Recycling

• Green products

• Organic produce

• Paper/Green Bags

• Solar Energy

• LED Lights/ TV

• No drinking straws

• Raw material selection

• Chemical disposal

• Organic farming

• Environmental hazards disposal

• Food disposal

Policies

• Tree planting

• Oil spill control

• No videoke ordinance

• Septage management

• PWD enabling

• LGBT ordinance

• Tree cutting

• Ecosystem protection

• Harmful medical waste disposal

• Mangrove protection

• Nature parks

• Paperless transaction

• Carbon emission test

• Jeepney upgrade

Foundation

• Coastal clean up

• Tree planting

• Ecosystem diversity

• Leave no trace outdoors drive

• Urban gardening

• Cottage industry support

• Cooperative creation

Grand initiatives. Halving World GHGs Emission by 2030 from Information is Beautiful

• Increased solar energy

• Widespread wind energy

• Other renewable energy

• Better recycling of raw materials

• Less materials to make the same things

• Disassembling old products to make new ones

• Waste reduction in production of steel, plastics and other industrial materials

• Reduced use of refrigeration gases (CFCs HFCs)

• Low-carbon heating and cooling

• Low-carbon construction

• Retrofitting buildings with better insulation, energy efficient lighting

• Automation of temperature and lighting

• Electric vehicles

• Increased use of public transport

• Bikes, car-sharing and scooters

• More efficient shipping of goods with reduced air transport

• Low-emission trucks

• Halting reforestation, planting trees

• Sustainable agriculture techniques

• Plant-based diets

• Reduced food waste

Sone signs of deteriorating conditions:

Air pollution. Mega typhoons. Heavy flooding. Scarce fish haul. Polluted rivers. Poisoned soil. Plastics in the sea and in the food that we eat. Poverty. Discrimination. New diseases. Airborne diseases. Dying species. Less diversity. Dwindling forest cover. Unpredictable weather. Unmanaged human waste. Noise pollution. Decreasing water table. Flattened mountains. Landslides. Mendicancy . . .

Inform. Inspire. Act.

Planet Earth

 Our earth may no longer be habitable for future generations owing to overdevelopment, abuse, and inequality.

Scientists have identified the dangers of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions GHG, and carbon footprints.

Social activists have highlighted the appalling state of poverty, with residents having nothing to eat or drink.

We've witnessed inequalities, as well as a lack of access to quality education and career prospects.

Targets have been set with indicators to ensure that the present and future generations may enjoy life on this planet. Unfortunately, targets are off. Interventions are not sufficient.

Developments and harm we inflict on the world make it more challenging. If no new efforts or policies are implemented, the condition of degradation will accelerate, and doing nothing will make matters worse. More forceful interventions are necessary.

Where we are now in Greenhouse House Emissions GHG Transport. Land. Buildings. Industry. Energy. Justice and Equity.

If it is business as usual, the global temperature will rise further.

Through the UNDP and partner’s Movers Programme, I have been introduced to the five drivers of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals:

• Reducing poverty and increasing income

• Leading better health

• Driving sustainable growth

• Protecting the planet

• Preventing inequality

• Partnership

Given the current status of the world, the targets are overwhelming. This initiative focused on what everyone, particularly young, can do in small meaningful ways to help bring the objectives back on track within decades.

Starting with an awareness campaign, it encourages individuals to do all they can to prevent future deterioration.

Everyone may help on three levels, which are:

• Personal or individual

• Reaching out to the community as a whole

• Influencing system-level policy

Movers Programme Influencers gathered online week of 12 February 2024 to review modest and remarkable achievements from conducting over 100 workshops in 4 years, implementing community-based programs, influencing policy makers, involving in green related jobs, careers, and entrepreneurship to promote the 5 drivers of the SDGs.

From attending the programs online, the advocates from different Asian Pacific countries initially conducted workshops then launched activities withing their villages expanding to the nation and to the region.

Facilitators, resources persons, organizers and fellow movers challenge and inspire us to act.

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Technical info and insights learned primarily from the UNDP Movers Programme as a volunteer mentor, Youth Empowerment Project in Asia/ Pacific and UNDP, a community of dedicated individuals playing a crucial role in shaping the future of our youth, through SDGs.

https://creativecommons.org/choose/www.youthcolab.org/movers

https://www.youthcolab.org/movers