BRIQUETTES MAKING TRAINING AT;
ROCK OF JOY NUR & P.SCH KALISIZO – KYOTERA DISTRICT
BACKYARD / KITCHEN GARDENING TRAINING AT;
MASAKA NOOR NUR & P/S KIMAANYA-MASAKA CITY
INVOLVING SCHOOLS COMMUNITY IN CLIMATE ACTION.
Electricity access in Uganda is approximately 15%, with only 24.2% of that used at the household level. Increased urbanization and high cost of electricity have continued to increase the demand for charcoal in urban areas across the country. However, this increased demand has come with a cost of increased deforestation.
We skilled students about making briquettes from bio waste materials as an alternative solution to charcoal. Briquettes are a form of renewable energy (bio mass) made from bio waste materials in our surroundings like slashed grass, littered leaves, beans husks, banana peelings etc. They are a perfect substitution for charcoal and fuel wood having several other health and economic benefits.
At Kikungwe Secondary School in Masaka district, over 100 students got involved practically from the preparation stage to the final stage of briquettes making. We trained them about the various forms of alternative organic binders that can be used. In this process they learnt how to make briquettes without spending a single coin on raw materials. The skill is easily transferable, therefore those who learned will train fellow students and their family members when they get back home. We taught them about Climate change and threats charcoal poses to our environment. They were green about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fortunately by the end, we taught them briefly and reminded them of their individual contribution towards achieving them by 2030. #SDG4 #SDG7 #SDG13 #SDG15
FIGHTING HUNGER THROUGH BACKYARD GARDENING.
Plants absorb C02 in the air that contributes to global warming and converts it to life-giving, planet-protecting oxygen, so adding plants to the planet is always an environmental plus. Gardens decrease pollution by reducing the amount of food that needs to be transported long distances by truck or plane. Gardeners compost organic waste, keeping it out of landfills. When gardeners practice organic growing methods they help keep wastewater and groundwater chemical-free. And by avoiding invasive species and planting non-GMO, gardeners help to preserve the rich biodiversity of our planet.
Consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. When you pick vegetables right from your garden, the vitamin content will be at its highest. Also, you are reducing the risk of eating vegetables that contain harmful chemicals–you know exactly what you’re eating. In addition, getting kids involved in the gardening process will make it more likely for them to try the vegetables. Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can improve mood and make you feel rejuvenated and overall happy. Growing your own produce also gives you a great sense of accomplishment.
Here we recycle plastic bags and buckets into vertical gardens which can be comfortably placed on the verandah. With this approach, even those without land can participate in the effort to fight hunger, malnutrition and poverty from a house hold level both in urban and rural setting. A concept that we want to see groups and communities like schools adopt. #SDG1 #SDG2 #SDG13
NEED FOR CONSERVATION OF NAMAGOMA FOREST.
A delegation of environment activists led by the Executive Director of “Action for Climate change and Environmental Conservation – ACCEC”, Mr. Kalungi Paul, made a tour to Namagoma forest located in Kyotera district in the centre of Kalisizo town council.
This came after Mr Kachope Wilson “forest care taker for the last 30 years’’ came to our office seeking support in the conservation of this natural resource.
Namagoma forest is a natural forest sits on approximately 4 acres of land. It has been in existence close to 50 years. It’s a hub of over 6,000 medicinal plants and trees in addition to many more species. It’s a home to various animals, birds, reptiles and insects. It has an immense contribution in climate change adaptation as well as environment conservation.
It’s well-known for cultural preservation with four key cultural points or centres with in the forest.
Down in the forest valley, there is a built water system which generates water that supplies the whole of the town council through pipes.
Some of the challenges we found include:
Unauthorised access by passers and hunters. This has put a threat on the wild life leading to extinction of some of rare animals from the forest since its boundaries are not protected, in addition to deforestation.
Encroachment of the forest reserve land. This is due to rapid expansion of the town council and land grabbing by some of the neighbouring individuals.
Lack of any documentation by the current care taker about the history of the place, events and the forest itself. He has played this voluntary job for the last 30 years. Unfortunately, there is no any written information available with him for current and future use or reference.
Soil and water contamination by plastic pollution from the town council and neighbouring communities. Some part of the forest is heavily contaminated by plastic which puts the health of the neighbouring community at risk since it ends in the water stream which supplies them water for domestic use.
These and a few other challenges propelled us to join hands in the conservation and preservation of this magnificent natural resource. At this point, we appeal to individuals and development partners to join us in this noble cause.
ACCEC AT WORLD WET LAND'S DAY
Wetlands play an important role in climate change, because of their capacity to modulate
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous
oxide, which are dominant greenhouse gases contributing to about 60%, 20% and 6% of
the global warming potential, respectively.
There are many different factors (biotic and abiotic) that influence the function of wetlands.
Climate change has been identified as a major threat to wetlands. It can influence a wetland
ecosystem by increasing temperature and also by changing hydrological patterns, which in turn
can alter the biogeochemistry of the ecosystem.
Climate change can affect wetlands by direct and indirect effects of rising temperature, changes
in rainfall intensity and frequency, extreme climatic events such as drought, flooding and the
frequency of storms. Altered hydrology and rising temperature can change the biogeochemistry
and function of the wetland to the degree that some important services might be turned into
disservices. This means that they will no longer provide a water purification service and
adversely they may start to decompose and release nutrients to the surface water causing
problems such as eutrophication, acidification and brownification in the water.
We took part in celebrating world wetlands day in Masaka district. Here we got the opportunity
to train and exhibit two items, that is, charcoal briquettes and pavers from plastic materials.
Wetlands provide us with the necessary bio-waste materials needed to make briquettes. In
addition, proper plastic management and disposal protects the wetlands from contamination
and instead use those plastic materials to make pavers.
COMMUNITY TRAINING ABOUT BRIQUETTES MAKING
Before climate change turns into climate crisis, we need to have everybody, every generation participative and ACT NOW to stop this global threat. In developing economies like Uganda, people cut down trees to burn charcoal since it’s largely the available source of cooking fuel especially in the urban setting due to its affordability. However, with the growing population, this triggers a steady increase in demand for cooking fuel which translates into increased deforestation thus worsening climate crisis.
As of 2013, the country was losing 1.8% of its forest per year (MWE 2013; MEMD 2014). Between 1990 and 2010, an estimated 47% of forest cover was lost. It is, therefore imperative that steps are taken to protect the 2.6 million ha of forest remaining (11% of total land).
Electricity access in Uganda is approximately 25.6% according to World Bank report 2016. Increased urbanization and high cost of electricity have continued to increase the demand for charcoal in urban areas across the country.
From the statistics above, we chose to take the lead role of training communities on how to make cheaper and efficient source of cooking fuel which is briquettes as opposed to charcoal. In our approach, communities learn making briquettes without the use of any machines while using organic (natural) binders. However machines are needed at some stages to produce in bigger quantities and simplify the process. Once all communities are empowered, briquettes usage and adoption can perfectly substitute charcoal as a source of cooking fuel which fosters establishment of several business enterprises dealing in making, buying and selling of briquettes.
Here, children, youth, adults and elderly from ‘’Serinya village – Masaka City’’ took part in the training.
COMBATING PLASTIC POLLUTION
Plastic pollution especially the single use plastics and polythene bags have proven to be a global threat to environment as well as a catalyst of climate change. Many cities are troubled with waste management but the plastic being one of the highest leading elements. Trough research at ACCEC, we have come up with a simpler and affordable solution to fix this issue. We convert plastic into plastic pavers that are used in compounds. Despite the funding huddles, the concept has proved to be a success. This skill is transferable and once adopted countrywide, it will yield tremendous results. Once various youth groups have been empowered to start, its sustainable since plastic is everywhere. As an organisation, we need some financial support and or partnerships to train various youth groups. This will create several jobs for the youth directly and indirectly, keep our cities clean, free from flooding and general health environment.
We are researching about better, affordable, safer and simpler recycling mechanisms of coming up with plastic pavers.
We have gone ahead to sensitise communities about the dangers of plastic pollution and its management practices.
Here we are contributing to achievement of SGD 6, SDG 9, SDG 11 and SDG 13
.
SMART COOKING FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
We had the opportunity to train the community about how to use the environment in a sustainable way through making of briquettes.
Deforestation is one of the major contributing factors to climate change. Trees are cut purposely to meet simple financial needs, charcoal and fuel wood. This is because the community have no idea about the sustainable solutions available to them. Making briquettes from organic waste is an available option to every house hold both in rural and urban setting. Briquettes have proven to perform better than ordinally charcoal and cheaper at the same time. They can be produced manually using hands at zero cost. However some simple manual machines make the exercise simpler.
Currently on average, each household spends at least shs 4,000 (more than a dollar) per day. This translates into an average of 30 dollars (shs 120,000) saved in a month. Therefore, households will be in position to save and meet their basic needs, school fees and ultimately contribute to climate change mitigation and environment conservation.
In the pictures below, the Executive Director for “Action for Climate Change and Environmental conservation” Mr Kalungi Paul, trains some community members on how to make briquettes step by step.
GENDER INCLUSION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
We can achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 if we leave no one behind. At ACCEC we harness gender equality by building the capacity of women and youth to take the lead role. The impact of climate change is felt globally but communities in rural and hard to reach setting have been hit harder. They largely depend on agriculture for survival and this can no longer sustain them due to prolonged drought and floods in various places which destroys their crops. This leaves them sinking in stinking poverty since they have to spend their little hard earned savings on food and medication. Such arears register high rates of malnutrition in kids leading to stunted growth and sometimes death due to hunger.
We trained women under ‘’Twezimbe women group located at Bulando Village, Bulando Parish, Masaka City’’ ‘’in pics below’’ about climate change, plastic pollution, environment conservation and climate smart agriculture. The group has 40 members but their average age is 55. They were so happy to be part of the fight against climate change after capacity building. We have trained them how to make briquettes from bio waste materials to stop the usage of fuel wood for cooking but also to earn the group some income. They are dedicated and committed to plant trees in their gardens. We visited a number of home steads for various group members and were free from littered plastic materials. They have embraced backyard farming. This will help to improve on food security in their homes, improve nutrition and generate them some income especially during dry season.
ACCEC is dedicated to reach out to as many as communities as possible to create awareness, train and build capacity.
SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 5 and SDG 13
CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the back bone of Uganda’s economy and employs close to 80% of the population. With the changing climate patterns, it’s no longer reliable due to prolonged droughts and un-reliable rainfall. This has led to famine outbreak in many parts of the country. In an effort to address this global concern, we train communities about the climate smart agriculture practices. Many groups have learnt and adopted backyard gardening/farming. This is coupled with the rearing of birds and animals to provide the needed organic fertilizers. Here they are able to grow enough vegetables from a small space both in rural and urban setting. This has improved their nutrition and health as well as generating income from the sold surplus as a group. It’s great to see that these groups are implementing what we trained them about. This group is called ‘’Fruits of togetherness’’ located in Ssenyange A, Ssenyange parish, Masaka City.
Our little effort here is contributing to achievement of SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, and SDG 13.
Capacity Building and sensitizing a community group called ’Mukama ali naffe’’
At ACCEC we believe that if we are to win the fight against climate change, we need to change the behaviour patterns of our communities through sensitisation, awareness and capacity building. These groups of women are hardworking and ready to take part of the fight against climate change. We train them in various hands on skills so that they can generate income to support their families and reduce reliance on nature for survival. All they need is some additional empowerment so that they can scale up their production volumes. They showcased some of the sandals they make following a recent training by ACCEC. In the pics below, we had met a women group called ‘’Mukama ali naffe’’ located at Kinsadde village, Kitovu, Ssenyange parish, Masaka city. Our little efforts are contributing to the achievement of SDG 1, SDG 5 and SDG 13
Capacity Building and sensitizing a community group called “Twekembe women’s group’’
As the fight against climate change intensifies, we built the capacity and sensitized a community group called “Twekembe women’s group’’ with 105 active members located at Kabagabo village, Bulando Parish, Masaka city.
They highly appreciated the rationale to keep our environment healthy. They learnt the dangers of cutting down trees, plastic pollution as well as their individual carbon foot print. They welcomed the skill of making briquettes from bio-materials and do away with charcoal.
They were trained about climate smart agriculture. Here they can grow vegetables from a small space in their compound yard using organic fertilizers to boost their nutrition and sell the surplus to generate some income.
They learnt about environmental sanitation, that is, each member was urged to build a utensils stand, have a clean pit latrine with a jerrican of water and soap. Here hand washing with soap and water was highly emphasized.
We were delighted to meet the Bishop of Masaka diocese Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba on our way from the field. We discussed with him the different activities we are doing in the communities. He applauded us for taking the lead role as youths in the fight against climate change as well as community transformation.
Vegetables are supplements that should not miss out on any meal
For us to have healthy bodies, we need to eat a balance diet daily. Vegetables are supplements that should not miss out on any meal. Every household has the capacity to grow them from their compound backyards upon proper training.
Where community members have established social groups, they can jointly sell the surplus and get some money to meet their other needs.
They can be easily grown during the dry season since they are easy to irrigate and monitor. In addition, they can be grown from unwanted plastic that would have been trashed and polluted our environment.
Therefore, community groups and or individuals will be able to generate some income to meet the basic needs of their households.
unity transformation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs).
SIGNIFICACY:
SDGs are significant in that they are much more inclusive. That is, they call for action by all countries – poor, rich, and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. For this reason, SDGs allow for a degree of flexibility to speak to different nationalCircumstances. They include a global dashboard of targets and indicatorsunder each goal from which countries can select the most appropriate andrelevant.
The 17 Goals aim to address the rootcauses of poverty, recognizing that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies which build economic growth and address a range of socialneeds including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities,while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
(SDGs). “COVID-19 AWARENESS".
FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’
The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. This is why testing is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, and mouth). The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.
How can the spread of COVID-19 be slowed down or prevented?
As with other respiratory infections like the flu or the common cold, public health measures are critical to slow the spread of illnesses. Public health measures are everyday preventive actions that include:
✓ staying home when sick;
✓ covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissue immediately;
✓ washing hands often with soap and water; and
✓ cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.
STAY SAFE.
(SDGs) NO.1 “NO POVERTY”
Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half – from 1.9 billion in 1990, to 836 million in 2015 – too many people are still struggling to meet the most basic human needs.
Globally, more than 800 million people are still living on less than $1.25 a day; many lack access to adequate food, clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid economic growth in some countries has lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has been uneven. Women are disproportionately affected; they are more likely to live in poverty due to unequal access to paid work, education and property.
Progress has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which account for 80 percent of the people living in extreme poverty. This rate is expected to rise due to new threats brought on by climate change, conflict and food insecurity.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and end poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030. In order to achieve the SDGs, we must target those living in vulnerable situations, increasing access to basic resources and services, and support communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.
Ending poverty is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across multiple goals.
(SDGs) NO.2 “NO HUNGER”
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Rapid economic growth and increased agricultural productivity over the past two decades has seen the proportion of undernourished people drop by almost half.
Many developing countries that used to suffer from famine and hunger can now meet the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable. Central and East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have all made huge progress in eradicating extreme hunger.
These are all significant achievements in reaching the targets set out by the first Millennium Development Goals. Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in many countries. 795 million people are estimated to be chronically undernourished as of 2014, often as a direct consequence of environmental degradation, drought and loss of biodiversity. Over 90 million children under the age of five are dangerously underweight. And one person in every four still goes hungry in Africa.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people – especially children and the more vulnerable – have access to sufficient and nutritious food all year round. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices: improving the livelihoods and capacities of small scale famers, allowing equal access to land, technology and markets. It also requires international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and technology to improve agricultural productivity.
Together with the other goals set out here, we can end hunger by 2030.
Zero Hunger is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.
(SDGs) NO.3 “GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING”
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
Since the creation of the Millennium Development Goals there have been historic achievements in reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and tackling HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. In 15 years, the number of people newly infected by HIV each year has dropped from 3.1 million to 2 million and over 6.2 million lives were saved from malaria. Since 1990, maternal mortality fell by 45 percent, and worldwide there has been an over 50 percent decline in preventable child deaths globally.
Despite this incredible progress, AIDS is the leading cause of death among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, and 22 million people living with HIV are not accessing life-saving antiretroviral therapy. New HIV infections continue to rise in some locations and in populations that are typically excluded or marginalized.
Chronic and catastrophic disease remains one of the main factors that push households from poverty into deprivation. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) impose a large burden on human health worldwide. Currently, 63% of all deaths worldwide stem from NCDs – chiefly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. The cumulative economic losses to low- and middle-income countries from the four diseases are estimated to surpass US$ 7 trillion by 2025. Additionally, there continues to be underinvestment in the social circumstances and environmental factors affecting health. The job on HIV and health is far from done.
Recognizing the interdependence of health and development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an ambitious, comprehensive plan of action for people, planet and prosperity and for ending the injustices that underpin poor health and development outcomes.
SDG 3 aspires to ensure health and well-being for all, including a bold commitment to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases by 2030. It also aims to achieve universal health coverage, and provide access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines for all. Supporting research and development for vaccines is an essential part of this process as well as expanding access to affordable medicines.
Promoting health and well-being is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.
(SDGs) NO.4 “QUALITY EDUCATION”
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Since 2000, there has been enormous progress in achieving the target of universal primary education. The total enrolment rate in developing regions reached 91 percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children out of school has dropped by almost half.
There has also been a dramatic increase in literacy rates, and many more girls are in school than ever before. These are all remarkable successes.
Progress has also faced tough challenges in developing regions due to high levels of poverty, armed conflicts and other emergencies. In Western Asia and North Africa, ongoing armed conflict has seen an increase in the proportion of children out of school. This is a worrying trend.
While sub-Saharan Africa made the greatest progress in primary school enrolment among all developing regions – from 52 percent in 1990, up to 78 percent in 2012 – large disparities still remain. Children from the poorest households are four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richest households. Disparities between rural and urban areas also remain high.
Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reaffirms the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development. This goal ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030. It also aims to provide equal access to affordable vocational training, and to eliminate gender and wealth disparities with the aim of achieving universal access to a quality higher education.
(SDGs) NO.5 “GENDER EQUALITY’’
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
We can celebrate the great progress the world has made in becoming more prosperous and fair. But there’s a shadow to the celebration. In just about every way, women and girls lag behind. There are still gross inequalities in work and wages, lots of unpaid “women’s work” such as child care and domestic work, and discrimination in public decision-making. But there are grounds for hope. More girls are in school now compared to in 2000. Most regions have reached gender parity in primary education. The percentage of women getting paid for their work is on the rise. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to build on these achievements to ensure that there is an end to discrimination against women and girls everywhere.
(SDGs) NO.6 “CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION’’’’
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Everyone on earth should have access to safe and affordable drinking water. That’s the goal for 2030. While many people take clean drinking water and sanitation for granted, many others don’t. Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people around the world, and that number is projected to go even higher as a result of climate change. If we continue the path we’re on, by 2050 at least one in four people are likely to be affected by recurring water shortages. But we can take a new path—more international cooperation, protecting wetlands and rivers, sharing water-treatment technologies—that leads to accomplishing this Goal.
(SDGs) NO.7 “AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY’’
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Between 1990 and 2010, the number of people with access to electricity increased by 1.7 billion. That’s progress to be proud of. And yet as the world’s population continues to rise, still more people will need cheap energy to light their homes and streets, use phones and computers, and do their everyday business. How we get that energy is at issue; fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions are making drastic changes in the climate, leading to big problems on every continent. Instead, we can become more energy-efficient and invest in clean energy sources such as solar and wind. That way we’ll meet electricity needs and protect the environment. How’s that for a balancing act?
(SDGs) NO.8 “DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH’’
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
An important part of economic growth is that people have jobs that pay enough to support themselves and their families. The good news is that the middle class is growing worldwide—almost tripling in size in developing countries in the last 25 years, to more than a third of the population. But today, job growth is not keeping pace with the growing labour force. Things don’t have to be that way. We can promote policies that encourage entrepreneurship and job creation. We can eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking. And in the end we can achieve the goal of decent work for all women and men by 2030.
(SDGs) NO.9 “INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE’’
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
Technological progress helps us address big global challenges such as creating jobs and becoming more energy efficient. For example, the world is becoming ever more interconnected and prosperous thanks to the internet. The more connected we are, the more we can all benefit from the wisdom and contributions of people everywhere on earth. And yet four billion people have no way of getting online, the vast majority of them in developing countries. The more we invest in innovation and infrastructure, the better off we’ll all be. Bridging the digital divide, promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and innovation are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.
(SDGs) NO.10 “REDUCED INEQUALITIES’’
REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Reduce inequality within and among countries.
It’s an old story: the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. The divide has never been starker. We can and must adopt policies that create opportunity for everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Income inequality is a global problem that requires global solutions. That means improving the regulation of financial markets and institutions, sending development aid where it is most needed and helping people migrate safely so they can pursue opportunities. Together, we can now change the direction of the old story of inequality.
(SDGs) NO.11 “SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES’’
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
If you’re like most people, you live in a city. More than half the world’s population now lives in cities, and that figure will go to about two-thirds of humanity by the year 2050. Cities are getting bigger. In 1990 there were ten “mega-cities” with 10 million inhabitants or more. In 2014, there were 28 mega-cities, home to 453 million people. Incredible, huh? A lot of people love cities; they’re centers of culture and business and life. The thing is, they’re also often centers of extreme poverty. To make cities sustainable for all, we can create good, affordable public housing. We can upgrade slum settlements. We can invest in public transport, create green spaces, and get a broader range of people involved in urban planning decisions. That way, we can keep the things we love about cities, and change the things we don’t.
(SDGs) NO.12 “RESPONSIBLE CONSUPTION AND PRODUCTION’’
RESPONSIBLE CONSUPTION AND PRODUCTION
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Some people use a lot of stuff, and some people use very little—in fact, a big share of the world population is consuming too little to meet even their basic needs. Instead, we can have a world where everybody gets what they need to survive and thrive. And we can consume in a way that preserves our natural resources so that our children can enjoy them, and their children and their children after that. The hard part is how to achieve that goal. We can manage our natural resources more efficiently and dispose of toxic waste better. Cut per capita food waste in half globally. Get businesses and consumers to reduce and recycle waste. And help countries that have typically not consumed a lot to move towards more responsible consumption patterns.
(SDGs) NO.13 “CLIMATE ACTION’’
CLIMATE ACTION
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Every country in the world is seeing the drastic effects of climate change, some more than others. On average, the annual losses just from earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones and flooding count in the hundreds of billions of dollars. We can reduce the loss of life and property by helping more vulnerable regions—such as land-locked countries and island states—become more resilient. It is still possible, with the political will and technological measures, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—and thus avoid the worst effects of climate change. The Sustainable Development Goals lay out a way for countries to work together to meet this urgent challenge.
(SDGs) NO.14 “LIFE BELOW WATER.’’
LIFE BELOW WATER.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
The oceans make human life possible. Their temperature, their chemistry, their currents, their life forms. For one thing, more than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal diversity for their livelihoods. But today we are seeing nearly a third of the world’s fish stocks overexploited. That’s not a sustainable way of life. Even people who live nowhere near the ocean can’t live without it. Oceans absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide that humans produce; but we’re producing more carbon dioxide than ever before and that makes the oceans more acidic—26% more, since the start of the industrial revolution. Our trash doesn’t help either—13,000 pieces of plastic litter on every square kilometer of ocean. Sounds bad, right? Don’t despair! The Sustainable Development Goals indicate targets for managing and protecting life below water.
(SDGs) NO.15 “LIFE ON LAND..’’
LIFE ON LAND.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Humans and other animals rely on other forms of life on land for food, clean air, clean water, and as a means of combatting climate change. Plant life makes up 80% of the human diet. Forests, which cover 30% of the Earth’s surface, help keep the air and water clean and the Earth’s climate in balance. That’s not to mention they’re home to millions of animal species. But the land and life on it are in trouble. Arable land is disappearing 30 to 35 times faster than it has historically. Deserts are spreading. Animal breeds are going extinct. We can turn these trends around. Fortunately, the Sustainable Development Goals aim to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, drylands and mountains by 2030.
(SDGs) NO.16 “PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS.’’
PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
How can a country develop—how can people eat and teach and learn and work and raise families—without peace? And how can a country have peace without justice, without human rights, without government based on the rule of law? Some parts of the world enjoy relative peace and justice, and may come to take it for granted. Other parts seem to be plagued by armed conflict, crime, torture and exploitation, all of which hinders their development. The goal of peace and justice is one for all countries to strive towards. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to reduce all forms of violence and propose that governments and communities find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. That means strengthening the rule of law, reducing the flow of illicit arms, and bringing developing countries more into the center of institutions of global governance.
(SDGs) NO.17 “PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS.’’
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
The Sustainable Development Goals are pretty big to-do list, don’t you think? In fact, it’s so big, you may just want to throw your hands up in the air. “Forget it! Can’t be done! Why even try!” But we’ve got a lot going for us. The world is more interconnected today than ever before, thanks to the internet, travel and global institutions. There’s a growing consensus about the need to work together to stop climate change. And the Sustainable Development Goals are no small matter either. 193 countries agreed on these goals. Pretty incredible, isn’t it? 193 countries agreeing on anything? The final goal lays out a way for nations to work together to achieve all the other Goals.
CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS
When climate change strikes our countries are affected by prolonged drought and or floods. This leads to loss of crops and or very poor harvests. Households therefore, can hardly have a single meal of balanced diet. This leads to hunger, malnutrition and stunted growth in the children.
AECU calls upon, the fight against effects that rise due to climate change. Any helping hand is welcome to help the victims and vulnerable
