SDG 12: Responsible Production And Consumption- Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Between 2017 and 2022, the population of the world increased by one billion. What an exponential growth?
The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) has attributed the recent population boom to a fee factors including; advancement in modern medicine and reduction of global poverty. This means more people survive to reproductive age and hence can procreate. Although the fertility rates may have dropped, so did the mortality rates therefore people are living longer than before.
All these are testaments to the benefits of scientific advancements. But as good as this may seem, it has come with its own problems.
How do we maintain a fast growing population of humans with the finite resources on the earth?
What is Responsible Production And Consumption about?
We have established that the resources on earth are limited. These resources are needed to run industries and sustain human civilization.
This SDG seeks to encourage production but in a way where as we produce, we take into cognisance the fact that these resources are not everlasting.
Responsible Production involves making goods in an ethical and sustainable manner. This means taken into consideration the laws that protect people and the planet. It involves reduced environmental pollution and protecting the right of workers.
Responsible consumption on the other hand deals with using products that are sustainable and eco-friendly. It is the consumer choosing to use products that have been responsibly produced.
Why Should We Care?
At the moment, you may be comfortable. You have all the basic amenities and more, so, you might not really see the need for this SDG. Well, let me show you.
1. FOR THE FUTURE: Humans have existed on earth for hundreds of thousands of years if not millions. Through procreation our species has continued up until now.
If our ancestors destroyed this planet and made it bare of resources, we will not have met any earth. They will be no planet for us to inherit.
In the same vane, it is our responsibility to leave resources for our progeny. They are so many children on the earth right now. If we destroy all the resources, they will be nothing for them.
2. FOR THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: The earth is global and the eco system is synergic. There are so many cycles that keep things in balance. Disrupting a component of a cycle, jeopardizes the whole system.
For instance, trees are need for the maintenance of balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide. Widespread deforestation can severely disrupt this balance.
Similarly, what happens on one continent can affect another one.
A clear example is global warming. This is caused by greenhouse effects due to increased emission of certain gases. Although, developed countries are the ones producing this gases the most, developing nations have suffered more as they do not have the infrastructural capability to deal with the effects of the phenomenon.
3. FOR THE EARTH: As far as we know, this planet is the only one in our solar system capable of sustaining human life. We are yet to discover another with the right components and in the right composition to do what the earth does.
Even if we do, it will be more economical to invest on making the earth better than travel to such a place.
For years, all we have done is take and take. We have plundered the earth for so long. Isn’t it high time we give back?
What Can We Do?
Making legislation against harmful production is a responsibility of the government. As citizens however, these are the things we can do to help achieve the goal.
1. BE RESPONSIBLE CONSUMERS: We have a choice to patronise sustainable, eco-friendly products or harmful earth-destroying ones.
Let us make the better choice. This way, we help to curb the menace, one product at a time.
2. BE RESPONSIBLE PRODUCERS: As business owners or entrepreneurs, let us try our best to protect the earth and her resources during our production processes.
Let’s use eco-friendly packaging and procedures. Let’s cut down our emissions and try to reduce our carbon footprints.
This is another way we can help.
3. CREATING AWARENESS: A lot of people, especially in rural areas, are not aware of the harm that their practices do to the earth. We need to educate them against these harmful practices and proffer alternatives.
Caring for this planet is our responsibility. We have done way too much harm already. It is high time we rose up and tried to right the wrongs that we have done.
