Our actions as consumers and producers have a significant impact on the environment and natural resources. August 2nd, 2023 which marked the Earth Overshoot Day serves as a stark reminder that we're depleting resources faster than the Earth can regenerate.
According to UNEP, Responsible Consumption and Production involves maximizing the less you have to produce more, understanding that economic growth and environmental degradation are inversely proportionate, making the utmost use of available resources and evangelizing sustainable habits. Responsible consumption and production is an attitude involving well thought-out decisions about the products we purchase, by considering their environmental, social and economic impacts.
This is basically sustaining the livelihoods of current and future generations, through the use of services and similar products, which respond to basic needs to bring a better quality of life, while optimizing natural resources and toxic materials, and minimizing generation of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product.
To contribute to irresponsible or unsustainable consumption and production means to engage in actions such as excessive waste generation, overconsumption, and reliance on non-renewable resources. These actions can contribute to pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction.
Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are root causes of the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Some of these patterns are;
• Increasing water and air pollution,
• land and forest degradation,
• waste generation and
• the use of harmful chemical substances.
However, the good news is that we can make a positive change by embracing responsible and sustainable consumption habits. This involves maximizing resource efficiency, minimizing waste, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability.
The SDG 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns; has the main purpose of "reducing generation of waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse."
Goal in Focus: 1⃣2⃣ Responsible Production and Consumption.
— Global Goals (@GlobalGoalsUN) August 5, 2023
Unsustainable Production and consumption are the root cause of...
🌎 Climate Change
🌴 Biodiversity Loss
🏭 Pollution
Without shifting to sustainable practices, we cannot combat these planetary crises and reach #SDG12 pic.twitter.com/AcWbSMSDRv
By collectively adhering to the targets of SDG 12, such as reducing food waste, properly managing chemicals and wastes, and promoting recycling and reuse, we can significantly mitigate the negative impacts of consumption and production.
Examples of responsible consumption and production patterns we all should adopt, are;
• doing more with less,
• balancing the use of natural resources to foster growth,
• minimizing food loss and waste,
• recycling and reusing waste, and
• adopting sustainable practices.
In the pursuit of sustainable consumption and production, individuals, corporations, government bodies, and institutions need to work together. Individuals can make conscious choices, demand sustainable products, and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles. Corporations should integrate sustainability into their business strategies, products, and reporting practices. Governments play a pivotal role in creating and enforcing policies that encourage responsible consumption and production. And institutions, through education and advocacy, can inspire widespread awareness and action.
In conclusion, the need for responsible consumption and production cannot be overstated. It's a collective effort that requires individual mindfulness, corporate responsibility, and governmental support. By aligning our actions with the targets of SDG 12, we can ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
SOURCES:
“United Nations Maintenance Page.” United Nations, sustainabledevelopment.un.org/. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Sustainable Consumption and Production.” United Nations, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
“Sustainable Consumption and Production | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-consumption-and-production. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
— Damilola Eyiowuawi
0 Comments