SDG: The transformation agenda
Quite recently, the United Nations (UN) came up with a global concept of the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, officially known as “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The concept includes a set of 17 “Global Goals”. These goals are aimed to be achieved by the year 2030, through adequate contribution and participation worldwide. This is in order to solve the impending global issues. Human issues which include poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, economy, infrastructure, inequality and sustainable communities are well lamented. Global ecological issues such as climate action, clean energy, production and production as well as life below water life on land are notably considered. More so, peace, justice and strong institutions are well emphasized.
We live in a world where law and order is going into extinction. Chaos, discrimination and injustice tends to be the new order. Evidently, in all scriptures it says “Humans” are God’s best creation. However, the spread of humans and their large and increasing population has had a profound impact on large areas of the environment and millions of native species worldwide. Through land development, combustion of fossil fuels, and pollution, humans have had a dramatic effect on the environment such as global climate change (Global warming) which is predicted to wipe out half of all plant and animal species over the next century.
More so, the greedy nature of humans tends to push them to strive for superiority and exhibit a self-centered behavior towards one another. This leads to conflicts and wars as we are always out to protect our selfish interests. It is reported during the 20th century, an estimate of 167 to 188 million people died as a result of war, with a lot more left victims to lack of social amenities such as good food and clean water as well lack of infrastructure.
Although, some people might view these goals as too ambitious, some believe the time frame for the actualization of the goals is not sufficient. Whatever the criticism is, we need to rise and change our gloom ridden attitude. The fact is, we take more from our environment than we give back. It is believed that if every nation, state or individual should embark on achieving at least one of the goals, then in reality, the goals can actually be achieved in due time.
Mahmud Bello Zailani, Kaduna, bellomahmud34@gmail.com