Last year, world leaders representing 192 countries gathered to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 goals serve as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Your students can play a part in helping the world achieve these goals by participating in the World of 7 Billion student video contest. The contest presents an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the global issues addressed in the SDGs and offer their thoughts on sustainable solutions.
Topics for this year’s contest include:
CLIMATE CHANGE and the SDGs: Changes in average global temperatures and ocean temperatures, diminishing snow and ice levels, and a 50% increase in CO2 emissions since 1990 are driven by human activities. They manifest themselves through changing weather patterns and more extreme weather events that cause undeniable effects now felt in almost every country around the world. The following SDGs are set forth to tackle climate change:
SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG #13: Climate Action
OCEAN HEALTH and the SDGs: The world’s oceans are of paramount importance to Earth’s systems and society. Oceans help with climate regulation, contribute to our global economy (with a market value of 5% of the global GDP), offer rich biodiversity, and feed more than 3 billion people their primary source of protein. With a growing population we are putting an immense strain on this global common. We must consume its bountiful resources responsibly and keep it clean and healthy so that it can continue to provide for future generations.
SDG #12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG #14: Life Below Water
RAPID URBANIZATION and the SDGs: We live in a world where over half of humanity lives in cities. It is estimated that by 2030 that number will increase almost 60%. Cities offer a space for the exchange of ideas, cultures, and employment. However, they must be carefully planned, designed, and managed if they are to provide a safe space in which people can thrive. As cities expand quickly we must improve resource use and reduce pollution and poverty. Today, 828 million people live in slums where they don’t have adequate access to clean water, housing, and employment opportunities. We offer the following SDGs to help students consider the impact of a growing population on urbanization.
SDG #3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
We look forward to seeing how your students incorporate the SDGs into their video submissions. For more information please visit the World of 7 Billion student video contest website or email worldof7billion@populationconnection.org.
