What Is Sustainable Development?

Summary

In September, 193 countries convene at the UN to adopt 17 Global Goals aimed at sustainable development, a concept that balances current needs with preserving resources for future generations. The goals encompass economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being, urging a global shift towards inclusive prosperity, innovative technologies, and equitable access to food and education. With a 15-year action plan involving member states and civil society, the world is called to unite for a sustainable future where people and the planet thrive. Learn more and get involved at www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment.

Takeaways

• 🌐 In September, 193 countries will convene at the UN to adopt new Global Goals aimed at sustainable development.
• 📈 Sustainable development is defined as meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
• 🌱 The concept challenges the traditional economic growth model by considering its environmental and societal impacts.
• 🌟 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a holistic approach to improving global well-being.
• 🔍 The SDGs encompass a wide range of targets, from economic growth to environmental protection and social inclusion.
• 💡 They encourage innovation and technological advancement without causing harm to the environment.
• 🍎 The goals aim to ensure universal access to nutritious food, regardless of location.
• 🏫 They advocate for affordable and quality education for all, not just a privileged few.
• 🗣️ Freedom of speech is promoted, but with a clear distinction that it should not lead to violence.
• 🤝 The 17 SDGs involve a collaborative effort among member states, civil society, and various stakeholders over the next 15 years.
• 🌍 Achieving these goals requires immediate global action, with everyone playing a part in creating a world that benefits both people and the planet.
• 📚 Interested individuals can learn more and get involved by visiting the UN's dedicated website on sustainable development.

Q & A

What is the significance of the meeting in September at the UN?

The meeting in September at the UN is significant because it is where 193 countries will adopt new Global Goals aimed at achieving sustainable development.

What are the 17 Global Goals and what do they aim to provide?

The 17 Global Goals are a roadmap designed to help the world achieve sustainable development, ensuring that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

How does sustainable development balance economic growth with environmental and social well-being?

Sustainable development balances economic growth by ensuring that the negatives of unbalanced economic growth on the environment and people's well-being are taken into account, aiming for a holistic approach that benefits all aspects of society and the planet.

What is the big picture of sustainable development according to the script?

The big picture of sustainable development is about improving the lives of everyone everywhere by achieving economic growth, company prosperity, decent work, innovative technology without environmental harm, access to nutritious food, affordable and quality education, and freedom of speech without violence.

Why is it important to have affordable and quality education for everyone?

Affordable and quality education for everyone is important because it ensures equal opportunities and empowers individuals to contribute to society, which is a key aspect of sustainable development.

How do the 17 goals plan to change the way we do business?

The 17 goals aim to change the way we do business by encouraging member states, civil society stakeholders, and major groups to work together for the next 15 years to find ways to conduct business that benefits everyone and supports sustainable development.

What is the role of global action in achieving sustainable development?

Global action plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development by fostering collaboration and coordinated efforts among nations to implement the 17 Global Goals and ensure a future where both people and the planet thrive.

Why is it urgent to act now according to the script?

Acting now is urgent because the challenges of sustainable development require immediate attention and action to prevent further environmental degradation and social inequality, ensuring a better future for all.

How can individuals get involved and learn more about the Global Goals?

Individuals can get involved and learn more about the Global Goals by visiting the official UN website on sustainable development, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment, where they can find resources and information on how to contribute.

What does the script imply about the relationship between economic growth and environmental protection?

The script implies that economic growth should not come at the expense of environmental protection. Instead, it should be pursued in a way that is sustainable and does not harm the environment or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

How do the Global Goals address the issue of freedom of speech?

The Global Goals address the issue of freedom of speech by advocating for it as a fundamental right, but also emphasizing the need for it to be exercised responsibly, without leading to violence or harm.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Introduction to Global Goals for Sustainable Development

In September, representatives from 193 countries will convene at the UN to adopt a new set of 17 Global Goals aimed at fostering sustainable development. The concept of sustainable development is introduced as a balanced approach to meeting current needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of considering both economic growth and its environmental and social impacts. It calls for a shift in perspective to achieve sustainable development, which encompasses improving global living standards, promoting economic growth and innovation without environmental harm, ensuring access to nutritious food and quality education for all, and upholding freedom of speech without violence. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, urging member states, civil society, and other stakeholders to collaborate over the next 15 years to implement these goals and transform the way business is conducted for the collective benefit of all. Interested individuals are directed to the UN's sustainable development website for further involvement and information.

Keywords

💡Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a key concept in the video, defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is central to the video's theme, emphasizing the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. The script mentions that sustainable development is about improving lives globally and achieving this through a comprehensive approach that includes economic, social, and environmental aspects.

💡Global Goals

The term 'Global Goals' refers to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by 193 countries at the UN. These goals are integral to the video's narrative as they provide a roadmap for achieving sustainable development. The script highlights that these goals are designed to be worked on over the next 15 years, indicating a collective and long-term commitment to change.

💡Economic Growth

Economic growth is mentioned in the context of its impact on the environment and people's well-being. The video suggests that while economic growth is necessary, it must be balanced with environmental considerations. The script implies that unbalanced growth can lead to negative consequences, hence the need for sustainable development.

💡Environment

The environment is a critical aspect of sustainable development discussed in the video. It is tied to the concept of not compromising the ability of future generations. The script emphasizes the importance of creating new technologies without harming the environment, indicating a need for innovation that is eco-friendly.

💡Well-being

Well-being is used in the script to describe the state of happiness, health, and comfort of individuals, which is affected by economic growth. It is related to the video's theme by illustrating that sustainable development aims to improve well-being without causing harm to the environment or future generations.

💡Innovation

Innovation is presented in the video as a means to achieve sustainable development without environmental harm. It is mentioned in the context of creating new technologies, suggesting that progress and creativity are essential for sustainable growth. The script implies that innovation should be harnessed responsibly.

💡Access

The term 'access' in the video script refers to the universal availability of resources such as nutritious food and quality education. It is linked to the theme of sustainable development by emphasizing the need for equitable distribution of opportunities and resources to ensure a better life for all.

💡Decent Work

Decent work is mentioned as an aspect of sustainable development that the goals aim to provide. It is defined by the International Labour Organization as work that delivers a fair income, security, and social protection. In the script, decent work is part of the broader goal of improving lives and economies.

💡Education

Education is highlighted in the script as a fundamental right that should be affordable and of quality for everyone. It is connected to the theme of sustainable development by being one of the goals aimed at empowering individuals and societies for a better future.

💡Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is discussed in the context of being a fundamental right but not one that justifies violence. It is related to the video's theme by illustrating the importance of democratic values in achieving sustainable development, while also emphasizing the need for responsible exercise of these freedoms.

💡Global Action

Global action is a call to arms mentioned in the script, urging immediate and collective efforts to achieve sustainable development. It is tied to the theme by emphasizing the urgency and necessity of worldwide cooperation to realize the global goals.

Highlights

In September, 193 countries will meet at the UN to adopt 17 new Global Goals for sustainable development.

Sustainable development is defined as meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The concept of sustainable development is often misunderstood, with a focus on economic growth without considering negative impacts on the environment and well-being.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals aim to change the current approach by promoting a more balanced and holistic view of global development.

Sustainable development encompasses both the big picture of improving lives globally and the details of economic growth, technological innovation, and social well-being.

Economic growth should be pursued without harming the environment, ensuring companies thrive and people have decent work.

Innovation in technology should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.

Access to nutritious food should be a universal right, regardless of geographic location.

Quality education should be affordable and accessible to everyone, not limited to a privileged few.

Freedom of speech is important, but it should not be used to justify violence.

Achieving sustainable development requires a collaborative effort from member states, civil society stakeholders, and major groups over the next 15 years.

The 17 Global Goals provide a roadmap for doing business differently to ensure mutual gains for all.

Sustainable development aims to create a world where both people and the planet benefit.

Urgent global action is needed now to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Individuals can get involved and learn more about the goals by visiting the UN's sustainable development website.

The UN's website www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment offers resources for understanding and participating in the global sustainable development effort.

Transcripts

This September

193 countries will meet at the UN to adopt new Global goals

These 17 goals provide a roadmap that will help the world achieve sustainable development

But what exactly is sustainable development, and how does it affect us?

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

But what does that mean? Everyone understands the need to grow their economies?

But not everyone takes into account the negatives that unbalanced economic growth can have on the environment and on people's well-being.

It's time to change that by looking at the world in a different way the sustainable development goals will help us to do that.

Sustainable development is about the big picture.

It's about improving the lives of everyone everywhere and achieving all these things together, but it's also about the details.

That means we want economies to grow companies to thrive and people to have decent work.

We want to create new innovative technologies, but not by harming the environment.

We want everyone to have access to nutritious food regardless of where they live.

We want affordable and quality education for everybody not just a few. We want freedom of speech.

But we don't want that to mean violence.

But how can we achieve all of this and where do we even start?

Well the 17 goals will mean member states alongside Civil Society stakeholders and major groups will be working together for the next

15 years looking at ways we can do business differently so that everyone gains.

With these 17 global goals as our guide

we can achieve sustainable development and live in a world where people and planet benefit.

But we have to act now this is the time for global action

To find out how you can get involved and learn more about the goals go to

www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment