The year 2022 has been very challenging for many reasons, from the war in Ukraine to the energy and food crises, inflation, the increase in inequality, the increase in the burning of coal and fossil fuels… But above all it has been Globally visible that climate change is accelerating with extreme heat waves in East Africa, hurricanes like Ian and Fiona, extreme droughts in Europe or Brazil, floods in Pakistan, West Africa or South Africa, storms in northern and central Europe, tropical storms in Philippines or cyclones in Bangladesh, to name a few examples. These phenomena caused, in addition to hunger, deaths and millions of displaced persons. In Spain there have been devastating heat waves (with the annual temperature record that has already exceeded 15 degrees since records exist), burned areas of more than 300,000 hectares, one of the most important droughts in the last 50 years . It is crucial that we take steps to mitigate these impacts and protect people and the environment.
Sustainability policies are key to addressing these challenges, and they must be robust and scientifically sound in order to have a real effect. Such has to be the focus for 2023.
This must be the year of decarbonization through measures such as energy efficiency, the implementation of renewable energies, the electrification of the economy, but also with decrease, necessary in many of the most polluting activities. The principle of differentiated responsibility must be taken into account and applied so that those sectors that have contributed significantly to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions acquire greater responsibility in the solution. In the world, emissions continue to increase, in Spain as well, which is why real achievements in the decarbonization of society are not yet being achieved. António Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, has also proposed that governments tax the extraordinary profits that fossil fuel companies are having and that this tax serve to compensate for the damage from the climate crisis.
Products and materials must be reused and recycled efficiently to avoid the generation of waste, and reduce dependence on natural resources.
In 2023, humanity has to take biodiversity conservation more seriously, indicated at the COP15 summit in Montreal. Their loss has serious consequences for the environment and for society. Some measures that can contribute are the protection of natural habitats, sustainable forest management and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, as well as the inclusion of biodiversity in all plans and programs.
The circular economy is another priority for the coming year, as it promotes the efficient use of resources and reduces environmental impact. In addition, it can contribute to job creation and long-term sustainability. Products and materials must be reused and recycled efficiently to avoid the generation of waste and reduce dependence on natural resources.
In this wish list of how we can improve the planet by 2023, the fight against inequality is another of the central challenges. Social and economic inequities have worsened in recent years, and have a negative impact on the quality of life for all, as well as on the stability of societies. It can be combated through policies that promote equal opportunities and social justice, such as redistribution, the promotion of quality jobs, social protection for the most vulnerable people and the improvement of education and training.
Citizen participation can be useful to identify creative and affordable solutions to reduce carbon footprints, promote biodiversity conservation and protect ecosystems.
Transparency is another pending task this 2023, and it can be addressed with information and accountability as key principles to promote trust and responsibility in companies and public institutions. Transparency implies the availability of relevant and verifiable data for the public, while accountability must account for the activities and decisions of an organization, so that the greenwashing (image laundering on account of sustainability) It should go away right away. Clear and periodic indicators are necessary that continually warn us of whether or not we are advancing.
Also in 2023, and in times of crises caused by the ecological crisis and climate change, it is especially important to involve the community in decision-making and in the implementation of sustainable policies and measures. Open democracy and citizen assemblies are essential to promote participation and ensure that policies reflect the needs and concerns of all members of the community. This is not only crucial for decision-making, but also for the implementation and monitoring of the measures adopted. Thus, it can be useful to identify creative and affordable solutions to reduce carbon footprints, promote biodiversity conservation and protect ecosystems. In addition, it contributes to increasing trust in institutions and social cohesion, which can be especially valuable in times of uncertainty and crisis. It is essential to have mechanisms to ensure that the decisions made in the citizen assemblies are implemented effectively and are maintained over time, and allow citizens to evaluate and monitor them.
All these actions are important to achieve a more sustainable future. And they have to be applied at all levels of the different governments, as well as by private actors. Society, for its part, must commit and get involved in each of these areas. There is a lot to do and the exercise of working for sustainability can be very addictive. There is still time to change the future. Let’s take advantage of it.
You can follow PLANETA FUTURO on Twitter, Facebook and instagramand subscribe here to our newsletter.
