Hey all, I touched briefly on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ever so slightly in my last blog post. These SDGs are a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by world leaders. Basically they are a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals that aim to end poverty, eliminate poverty, stop injustice and of course tackle climate change. (You can watch a quick summary below) And by when? 2030. Just in the next 15 years.
Seems unlikely? Well don’t worry; I am not going to go ranting again on the inefficiency of governments in tackling environmental and social issues again. However, this time I will say that maybe, we actually can meet all these goals! I came across a TED video called, "How can we make the earth a better place by 2030?" by social progress expert Michael Green who breaks it all down.
Can we actually end some of the greatest problems? Well to understand that, we must compare where the earth stands today, to infer how much we have to do? Green introduces the Social Progress Index. This index measures national progress of a nation by looking at three crucial tiers, 1) Basic Human Needs 2) Foundations of Wellbeing and 3) Opportunity. By weighting for the different populations and the social progress score of all the different countries, we can assume that an average human being is living at a score of 61/100 on the social progress index. Green estimates that if all the SDGs are reached in 2030, our score should ideally by 75/100. (Figure 1).
Can we actually end some of the greatest problems? Well to understand that, we must compare where the earth stands today, to infer how much we have to do? Green introduces the Social Progress Index. This index measures national progress of a nation by looking at three crucial tiers, 1) Basic Human Needs 2) Foundations of Wellbeing and 3) Opportunity. By weighting for the different populations and the social progress score of all the different countries, we can assume that an average human being is living at a score of 61/100 on the social progress index. Green estimates that if all the SDGs are reached in 2030, our score should ideally by 75/100. (Figure 1).
So how do we go from 61 to 75? Governments often jump to using economic indicators such as GDP to tackle all our problems. But can that help us achieve these global goals? Well when GDP increases, social progress does increase (Figure 2). But there after a while every little increase in GDP brings about a smaller increase in social progress. A team of economist from Detroit University crunched in the numbers and shockingly concluded that, if we get richer, our social progress will merely increase to 62.5. BUT WHY? Well with economic growth comes a cost to the environment, to happiness and even increases the prevalence of new diseases such as diabetes.
So how do we go from 61 to 75? Governments often jump to using economic indicators such as GDP to tackle all our problems. But can that help us achieve these global goals? Well when GDP increases, social progress does increase (Figure 2). But there after a while every little increase in GDP brings about a smaller increase in social progress. A team of economist from Detroit University crunched in the numbers and shockingly concluded that, if we get richer, our social progress will merely increase to 62.5. BUT WHY? Well with economic growth comes a cost to the environment, to happiness and even increases the prevalence of new diseases such as diabetes.
This shows us, that we ARE NOT SLAVES TO GDP. Our governments need prioritize the wellbeing of the people. We can achieve social progress. Countries must turn the wealth into wellbeing. That is the solution. So if I say that when we cannot change the players, change the game. And clearly it is achievable. Our governments have signed on, promised to achieve these SDGs by 2030. Instead of constantly complaining, lets take actions as the people. Lets hold these governments accountable. We can ensure that from today, each decision, each step taken by these governemnts should be for achieving the global goals. Hold them accountable.
Well you may as isn’t that a bit too ambitious Megha? How am I supposed to know if my government is doing anything? Well the social progress index, is beginning to release annual report cards, which grades countries based on their commitment to SDGs and their efforts. Have a look yourself (click): Report Card. Act now.
References:
"How We Can Make the World a Better Place by 2030." Michael Green:. Accessed October 27, 2015. http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_green_how_we_can_make_the_world_a_better_place_by_2030#t-728891.
"Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." UNDP. Accessed October 27, 2015. http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview/post-2015-development-agenda.html.
"How We Can Make the World a Better Place by 2030." Michael Green:. Accessed October 27, 2015. http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_green_how_we_can_make_the_world_a_better_place_by_2030#t-728891.
"Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." UNDP. Accessed October 27, 2015. http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview/post-2015-development-agenda.html.