Viewpoint’s GENUN Club is working to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals at Viewpoint School and in our community. The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030. These 17 goals are integrated and balanced so that action in one will affect outcomes in others for social, economic and environmental sustainability.

GOAL 1:  NO POVERTY

10% of the world population still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. Our active engagement in policymaking can make a difference in addressing poverty.

GOAL 2:  ZERO HUNGER

Approximately 11% of the world population is undernourished. We can support local farmer’s markets and make sustainable food choices, supporting good nutrition and fighting food waste.

GOAL 3:  GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING

At least half the world’s population are still without access to essential health services. We can hold our government and local leaders accountable to improve people’s access to health care.

GOAL 4:  QUALITY EDUCATION

262 million children and adolescents remain out of school. 617 million lack minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics. We can ask our government to place education as a priority in both policy and practice.

GOAL 5:  GENDER EQUALITY

In 2018, women only held 27% of managerial positions worldwide. We can address unconscious biases that form an invisible barrier to equal opportunity.

GOAL 6:  CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

3 in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water services. About 3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services. Civil society organizations should work to keep governments accountable and invest in water research & development.

GOAL 8:  DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

In 2018, 20% of the world’s youth were not engaged in either education, employment or training. Providing youth with the best opportunity to transition to a decent job calls for investing in education and training of the highest possible quality.

GOAL 9:  INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

3.8 billion people do not have access to the internet representing 80% of the population in the least developed countries. Establish standards and promote regulations that ensure company projects and initiatives are sustainably managed.

GOAL 10:  REDUCED INEQUALITIES

16,000 children die each day from preventable diseases such as measles and tuberculosis. Greater efforts are needed to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, and invest more in health, education, social protection and decent jobs especially in vulnerable communities.

GOAL 11:  SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

60% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2030. The better the conditions we create in our community, the greater the effect on quality of life.

GOAL 12:  RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

If the global population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets will be required to sustain current lifestyles. Reduce your waste and be thoughtful about what you buy and choosing a sustainable option whenever possible.

GOAL 13:  CLIMATE ACTION

To limit global warming to 1.5degrees Celsius, global emissions need to fall by a staggering 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels. We can act now–drive less, buy local produce, bring your own bag, unplug, recycle, zero-waste fashion, refill & reuse, take 5-minute showers, cook meat-free meals, turn the lights off.

GOAL 14:  LIFE BELOW WATER

Over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihood. Our actions can reduce our carbon footprint, a factor that contributes to rising sea levels, eliminate plastic usage and organize beach clean-ups.

GOAL 15:  LIFE ON LAND

1 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. Recycling, eating a locally- based diet that is sustainably sourced, consuming only what we need, limiting energy usage & preventing wildlife disturbance can all help.

GOAL 16:  PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Today, 20 million people are refugees, over 41 million people have been internally displaced, and at least 4 million people are stateless. Be the change–promote inclusion and respect towards people of different backgrounds, ethnic origins, religions, gender, sexual orientations, or different opinions. Together we can help improve conditions for a life of dignity for all.

GOAL 17:  PARTNERSHIPS

Strong international cooperation is needed now more than ever to ensure that countries have the means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The world is in our hands, and we can have a huge impact. We do have the power to make change together. If you care about the future, be the change. Help to end poverty, to reduce inequalities, and to tackle climate change. We are the change we seek and together we can transform our world.

Join the GENUN Club at Viewpoint to mobilize action on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Lauren Tepper ([email protected]).