During the holidays, we spend more time with family and friends, cooking, exchanging gifts or travelling to meet loved ones. All of these actions can be done in a more sustainable way, respectful of ourselves, our cities and our planet.
Sustainability, in fact, goes beyond the environment; it includes other things that people need, such as jobs, equal opportunities, health, education, safety and a vibrant quality of life. Shaping a better future is the spirit of the holidays and the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This holiday season, let’s pave the way for a better year, leaving no one behind!
Here are some things you can do to make this holiday sustainable, merry and bright:
1. Put others first – SDG 1 – Today, more than 700 million people live in extreme poverty, many without access to basic needs like healthcare, food, education, water and sanitation. Why not dedicate some time to volunteer at a local food kitchen or homeless shelter? Make sure that nobody feels excluded or alone.
2. Be mindful of your food! – SDG 2 – Waste less food and choose local, seasonal food that is produced sustainably. Or donate non-perishable items to your local food bank. Over 820 million people are hungry this holiday season, and the combination of conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic and higher food prices are only increasing those numbers. Food is a gift, don’t waste it!
3. Lead a healthy lifestyle – SDG 3 – Regular access to enough nutritious food is key to an individual’s health. It allows us to grow, fight diseases and live productive lives. This holiday, add nutritious foods to the menu, don’t forget about daily exercise and fight the urge to overindulge!