Global Goals for Sustainable Development

At a United Nations summit in September last year, world leaders committed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, to be achieved by 2030. Seventeen goals to achieve three extraordinary things: end extreme poverty; fight inequality and injustice and address climate change.

Last week at the Prep-Year 5 assembly, I spoke to the students about these goals and how they can assist in achieving them both as individuals and as a collective community. Individual actions like turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save valuable drinking water or turning off a light when you leave a room reduces greenhouse emissions by reducing power usage.

As a College, we can also play our part by providing an education that encourages creative thought and builds problem-solving skills. We can also provide the opportunity for students to act in ways that support the achievement of these goals. Already a number of older students have developed some great ideas about how they can be involved in addressing some of the problems facing us globally.

The College conducted an audit to determine how much organic waste staff and students generated each week. The audit revealed that, as much as 70% of the total waste sent to landfill each week is organic in nature. This term throughout the Junior College, the waste-recycling program will include the onsite processing of organic waste (generated from lunch scraps, paper towel and other organic waste generated on the College grounds) into compost. The compost will be used on gardens and any excess will be available to the community.

As part of the recycling/sustainability philosophy at the College, separate bins are available for organic waste, recyclable waste and non-recyclable waste in all eating areas. Two bins are provided for recyclable waste and non-recyclable waste in classrooms.

Developing a social culture of sustainability begins in childhood. By involving students in the practical application of such a philosophy we can help them grow into adults who practice simple forms of waste management and recycling. Individually, we may perceive our actions as only making a small impact but collaboratively, when we are armed with knowledge and understanding, the impact can be immense.