Conscious Consumption

“Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.”

Feedback, an environmental organisation that campaigns to end food waste at every level of the food system.

Sanitation workers caught on video dumping a store’s fresh produce in the trash only because it was 4 feet away from the store and was obstructing the sidewalk.

Muhammad Ullah, owner of the store, was moving the boxes upon being told to by a police officer. This same cop who was watching him do so called the Department of Sanitation nevertheless to ‘dispose of the goods’.

“It was like a robbery. I lost $8,300 of merchandise in one day.”

Nearly half of all food produced worldwide is wasted.

This blog aims to raise awareness of goal #12, Responsible Consumption and Production, from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through the articles, facts and suggestions shared, you will hopefully be influenced into taking new steps into working towards a greener future. No matter how small, every contribution makes a difference.

What are the Sustainable Development Goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), formally known as Transforming Our World - the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are a set of goals adopted by countries on the 25th of September 2015 aiming to “end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.” There are 17 goals, each one focusing on various aspects ranging from the end of poverty to peace and justice institutions. See the full list here. Targets for each goal are to be achieved in the next 15 years.

What is Responsible Consumption and Production?

As previously mentioned, Responsible Consumption and Production is the 12th goal in the SDGs. Its main aims are to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, promote resource and energy efficiency, promote access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all (-United Nations).

It aims at “doing more and better with less,” increasing gains from trade by decreasing use of resources, degradation and pollution, while also increasing the overall quality of life.

There are 11 goals, some of which are aimed to be met by the year 2020 and others by 2030.

Why is this important?

The Sustainable Development Goals is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.

Playing a part in achieving these goals will strengthen universal peace, and will heal our planet, ensuring a healthy environment for all. Not a single person will be left behind.