In 2015, the world’s nations adopted a new sustainable development agenda, in the form of 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved over the next 15 years. The goals offer an opportunity to promote responsibility, even at the individual level. The United Nations have published a “Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World”. Here The Good Times quotes things you can do from your couch as the “Sofa Superstar” to help end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change.
As the UN website points out, “Change starts with you. Seriously.” Here are “super easy things we can adopt into our routines that, if we all do it, will make a big difference”.
- Save electricity by plugging appliances into a power strip and turning them off completely when not in use, including your computer.
- Stop paper bank statements and pay your bills online or via mobile. No paper, no need for forest destruction.
- Share, don’t just like. If you see an interesting social media post about women’s rights or climate change, share it so folks in your network see it too.
- Speak up! Ask your local and national authorities to engage in initiatives that don’t harm people or the planet.
- Don’t print. See something online you need to remember? Jot it down in a notebook or better yet a digital post-it note and spare the paper.
- Turn off the lights. Your TV or computer screen provides a cosy glow, so turn off other lights if you don’t need them.
- Do a bit of online research and buy only from companies that you know have sustainable practices and don’t harm the environment.
- Report online bullies. If you notice harassment on a message board or in a chat room, flag that person.
- Stay informed. Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @GlobalGoalsUN.
- Tell us about your actions to achieve the global goals by using the hashtag #globalgoals on social networks.
- Offset your carbon emissions! You can calculate your carbon footprint and purchase climate credit from Climate Neutral Now.