COP28 UN Climate Change Conference Science, Solutions, Solidarity for a Livable Planet
Mary-Ellen Lovinsky
The root cause for climate change is our dependance on fossil fuel.
The Climate Goals for the UN Conference being held this week in Dubai include Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production Patterns.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/
Goal 12 has targets for reducing waste generation and promoting circular economy practices. Transitioning to a circular economy involves designing products for longevity, repairability and recyclability. Transitioning to a circular economy also promotes practices to minimize waste and resource depletion.
Individuals can help meet this goal to minimize waste and resource depletion by adopting more sustainable lifestyles. This can involve consuming less, choosing products with lower environmental impacts and reducing the carbon footprint of day-to-day activities.
Businesses can find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production patterns. They can consider the impacts of the products and services they offer and product life cycles.
There are ways for consumers like us to help meet the goals of this conference. If we are going to find “solutions for a livable planet,” then it is our job to work collaboratively to make changes that will make that a possibility. “It’s our planet and while we know it is in crisis, we also know that solutions are in reach.” Let’s work together on developing solutions beginning now.
We can reduce our waste.
We can recycle and reuse things instead of throwing them away.
We can be thoughtful about what we buy and choose a sustainable option whenever possible.
We can reduce our consumption of plastics, which is one of the main pollutants of the ocean.
We can carry a reusable bag.
We can make informed choices and buy from local and sustainable sources.
We can pressure businesses to take responsibility for their products and adopt sustainable practices.
Source: The Sustainability Development Goals Report 2023, Goal 12 targets.
