During this time of physical distancing, if you may assume that there is just a handful of activities you can do to meet the SDG goals? Then, you should think again.
1.Educate yourself and spread awareness
In this world of disguised fake news either online or through conversation, we are easily a victim to misinformation. One of the best ways to stay informed and stay away from fake news is to check the information source. However, only you being aware is not enough, it is always important to inform those who share fake news. The biggest issue in hand is the COVID-19 and we are all aware of how much content is being produce on every news media, blogs, visual contents and well as social media. The best source of information at the moment are the WHO, other related official UN organs, Ministry of Health of your country, authentic international and national news medias.
Goals: Goal 4 (Quality Education)
2. Consume wisely
While we are all worried about the resources at home and have been making few visits to the store and buying more than ever, let’s keep in mind the people behind you in line and the frontline health workers who have limited time off their stressful work. Meanwhile, let’s be mindful by using these resources at home. If there is a serious shortage of resources in the market or the COVID-19 cases in your area is high, you don’t have to make an after meal a dessert or empty half a bottle of oil to deep fry snacks. However, even if it weren’t for this pandemic, it is always morally right to be mindful about overconsuming resources. A pandemic will sooner or later be over, but an economic crisis is following.
Goals: Goal 1(No Poverty), Goal 2( Zero Hunger), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 10 (Reduce Inequality), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
3. Maintain hygiene
How many times have you heard or read “Wash your hands “in the past 4 months? Although it bothersome it may sound by now, let’s also keep in mind that washing hands and wearing a mask can be the best we can do from our side and also the least for you, your family and the people around you. Moreover, washing hands and maintaining hygiene is not only to keep the virus away but also to avoid getting any other health issues that may drag you to the hospital during this unfortunate time. Let’s help ourselves and others to stay healthy and at home.
Goals: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 4( Quality Education), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
4. Feed when you can
Not everyone is privileged to have a 2~3 meals a day. During this time of physical distancing, it’s also not easy to go volunteering without an organized and authorized effort. However, we can always start from our house. Stay conscious about your neighbors. While our immediate neighbor might be another human being at living next to you, there are some temporary neighbors who visit too like birds, cats and dogs. Stay mindful and give them a bite of your bread or a piece of that cookie.
Goals: Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequality), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 15 (Life on Land).
5. Reuse if you can!
While your household waste maybe collected in a daily or routine manner, let’s keep in mind how risky it is to manage all these waste. However, this could be made easier for you as well as for the waste collectors if you start waste segregation at home. Most biodegradable wastes can be made into a compost in your garden or your flower pot while cans and bottles can be recycled into almost anything! At this time of quarantine, there are numerous creative recycling DIY ideas you can indulge in. When you finally sort your waste and recycle most of it, the remaining can finally be handed over to the waste collector. This may be a lot of work if we all weren’t in quarantine, but maybe we can start in quarantine and find different efficient ways to incorporate this in our daily life and prepare to come out of this quarantine as a more responsible person and promote sustainability.
Goals: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 13 (Climate Action).
Author: Aneka Rebecca Rajbhandari; Pictures: Giulia Interesse