Hello friends! Today, we’re diving into an important topic: Sustainable Development Goal number 12, which is all about Responsible Consumption and Production. Let’s explore what this means and why it’s so important for our planet.
Consumption and production happen everywhere on Earth. They involve using natural resources, like water, trees, and minerals, which come from our environment. Right now, the way we produce and consume things is harming our planet. That’s why it’s crucial for everyone to focus on sustainable production and responsible consumption.
Over the past 100 years, we’ve made a lot of progress in terms of technology and society. However, this progress has also hurt the environment and put the natural resources we need at risk. The United Nations has made it a goal to encourage responsible ways of producing and consuming to protect our planet.
Let’s look at some facts. If we keep using resources the way we do now, by 2050, we’ll need three times more resources than our planet can provide. That’s a big problem, and we need to act now.
Every year, even though many people are hungry, one-third of all food is wasted. This is a huge issue. Also, our energy use keeps growing. Did you know that from 1990 to 2020, emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases went up by 50%? This shows why it’s important to use sustainable energy sources and be careful with how we use energy and resources.
The international community has set some goals to tackle these problems. These include:
To reach these goals, we need to give people the tools to support sustainability and help developing countries improve their scientific and technological abilities for better consumption and production.
We all need to work together to achieve responsible production and consumption. Here are some ways you can help:
Can you think of other ways to support responsible production and consumption?
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Design a poster that highlights the importance of responsible consumption and production. Use drawings, slogans, and facts from the article to show how we can protect our planet. Display your poster in the classroom to inspire others!
Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or school to find examples of sustainable practices, like recycling bins or energy-saving devices. Take notes or photos of what you find and share them with the class to discuss how these practices help the environment.
Keep a diary for one week to track any food waste in your household. Write down what gets thrown away and why. At the end of the week, brainstorm ways to reduce this waste and share your ideas with your classmates.
In small groups, role-play as “Planet Protectors” who are tasked with solving a specific environmental problem related to consumption and production. Present your solutions to the class and discuss how they can be implemented in real life.
Challenge yourself and your family to reduce energy use for one week. Try turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging devices when not in use, and using natural light during the day. Record your energy-saving actions and share your experiences with the class.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello friends! Today we’re going to continue learning about the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s time for number 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Consumption and production occur all over the planet and rely heavily on natural resources, which means they also depend on the environment. Currently, production and consumption have destructive effects on the planet, making it crucial to promote sustainable production and responsible consumption by everyone.
Over the last 100 years, there has been significant economic and social progress, but it has also harmed the environment and endangered the natural resources we need to survive. For this reason, the United Nations has established environmentally responsible production and consumption as a key sustainable development objective.
Let’s take a look at some data to understand the situation. If we continue to consume at the current uncontrolled rate, by the year 2050, we will need three times the natural resources available on Earth. This is alarming, and we must take action.
Every year, despite hunger being one of the biggest problems in the world, one-third of all food is wasted. This is a significant issue. Additionally, energy use continues to grow, with both businesses and households relying on it daily. Did you know that between 1990 and 2020, CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions increased by 50 percent? This highlights the importance of using sustainable and renewable energy sources and promoting responsible consumption of both energy and natural resources.
Some goals set by the international community to address this problem include cutting food waste in half, promoting environmentally friendly waste management, and reducing the use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. To achieve these goals, it’s essential to equip people with the tools to promote sustainability and to assist developing countries in enhancing their scientific and technological capacities for more responsible consumption and production patterns.
Achieving more responsible production and consumption requires collective effort from all administrations and from all of us as a global community. Here are some ideas on how we can help:
– Buy seasonal and local foods to reduce transportation emissions.
– Use energy-saving light bulbs to conserve energy and save on electricity bills.
– Recycle correctly and avoid wasting water, as natural resources are not infinite, and it’s our responsibility to preserve them.
Can you think of any other ways to promote responsible production and consumption?
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This version maintains the original message while removing informal language and ensuring clarity.
Responsible – Being in charge of something and making sure it is done correctly and safely. – Example sentence: We are responsible for turning off the lights when we leave the room to save energy.
Consumption – The act of using up resources or goods. – Example sentence: Reducing water consumption is important to conserve this vital resource.
Production – The process of making or creating something. – Example sentence: Factories need to find ways to reduce pollution during the production of goods.
Sustainable – Using resources in a way that does not deplete them and can be maintained over time. – Example sentence: Solar power is a sustainable energy source because it uses the sun’s energy, which is renewable.
Resources – Materials or substances that are used to produce goods and services. – Example sentence: Forests are important natural resources that provide us with wood and clean air.
Environment – The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. – Example sentence: Planting trees helps improve the environment by providing oxygen and habitats for animals.
Waste – Unwanted or unusable materials that are left over after something has been used. – Example sentence: Recycling helps reduce waste by turning used materials into new products.
Energy – The power derived from physical or chemical resources to provide light, heat, or work. – Example sentence: Wind turbines convert wind into energy that can be used to power homes.
Goals – Targets or objectives that people aim to achieve. – Example sentence: One of our environmental goals is to reduce plastic use by 50% this year.
Protect – To keep something safe from harm or damage. – Example sentence: We need to protect endangered species by preserving their natural habitats.