World Sustainability Day 2024 : For a Green Planet
- 30 October -

Dr N Munal Meitei *

World Sustainability Day, celebrated on 30 October, the last Wednesday reminds us the urgent need to protect the planet for future generations. This day focuses on promoting sustainable development, reducing carbon footprints, conserving natural resources and encouraging individuals, businesses and Govts to act responsibly in preserving the planet.

Sustainability is essential for addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion. UN’s sustainability is, ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ and sustainable development goals encompass a broad spectrum of environmental goals such as clean energy and climate action as well as goals for economic growth, hunger, poverty, health, education, equality, peace and justice.

Sustainability is not only about the nature and ecological products, but also about a healthy planet, thriving economy and well-being of people. More than that, sustainability involves knowledge, in its first step, right before action. This day encourages everyone to reflect on their environmental impact and take steps to reduce waste, save energy and support sustainable practices.

Throughout history, civilizations have collapsed when they ignored sustainable practices and over- exploited their natural resources. Civilizations like the Egyptians, Sumerians, Mayans and Polynesians failed to balance human progress with the health of their environments. Scholars, like Thomas Malthus in 1798, predicted resource shortages due to population growth, marking the beginning of sustainability con- cerns in modern times.

At the individual level, people can drive to a sustainable future, such as reduce, reuse and recycle, minimizing personal usage and embrace eco-friendly habits. At the State and National level, there are many responsible political decisions that can drive sus- tainable practices.

Human activity is pushing the planet’s ecological systems to their limits. Recycling means turning an item into raw materials which can be used again, usually for a completely new products. Reuse, in contrast, refers to using an object as it is without breaking it down.

Advocacy can be a powerful tool to effect real change in environmental sustainability. These initiatives focus on creating solutions that balance the needs of people and the planet, ensuring that pro-gress today does not come at the expense of future generations.

Sustainability in food systems is crucial for the future of both the planet and humanity. According to the United Nations, one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, which equates to around 1.3 billion tons annually. Food waste is not only an ethical issue but also an environmental one.

The wasted food not only could feed more than one-fourth of world’s hungry people but contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while valuable natural resources like water and land are consumed unnecessarily.

One of the primary objectives of sustainability is to foster community growth by creating economic opportunities and improving livelihoods. By equipping community members with skills and resources, these initiatives enable individuals to secure stable employ- ment and generate income.

For example, in our agriculture, we introduce sustainable farming techniques that increase crop yields and reduce dependency on chemical inputs. Farmers are trained in organic farming, agroforestry and crop residue management, direct seeding of rice and water-efficient irrigation methods. These prac- tices not only enhance productivity but also protect the environment, leading to more sustainable livelihoods.

Health is a critical component of sustainability focusing on improving healthcare access, sanitation and nutrition. These efforts reduce disease prevalence, improve maternal and child health and increase life expectancy. Access to clean water and proper sanitation prevent diseases. Education is at cornerstone of sustainability on improving to quality education and skill development that empower individuals and drive community growth.

Protecting the environment and addressing climate change are integral to sustainability. Initiatives that focus on reforestation, waste management, renewable energy and sustainable land use help communities mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges. Women’s empowerment is also another issue for sustainability, improving access to education, health-care and promoting gender equality.

Community participation is a key element of sustaina-bility. When community members are actively involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring of initiatives, they foster and tailored to the needs of sustainability.

India being the most populous country, rank 112th out of 166 countries in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG) and 176th in 180 countries in Global Nature Conservation Index in 2024. With many anthropogenic impacts, Manipur ranks 16th in all India Sustainable Development Goals index.

Sustainable initiatives are vital for fostering community growth and resilience. By balancing environmental protection, social equity and economic viability, these initiatives create a lasting solution to benefit both current and future generations.

Sustainability is more than just a word—it’s a necessity for the planet. By working together, we can create a world where human progress and environmental stewardship and sustaina-bility go hand in hand.