1.3. Sustainable Development Goals and Global Impact

The present condition, post pandemic, with respect to each SDG (sdgs.un.org) is as follows:

1. No Poverty – COVID 19 pushed 8 million workers into poverty worldwide and working poverty rate climbed for the first time in two decades. Furthered by inflation, wars and political crisis, and disaster there is an ongoing migration and refugee crisis making ending poverty the foremost priority.
2. Zero Hunger – 1 in 10 people worldwide are suffering from hunger and 1 in 3 people lack regular access to adequate food. Moreover, food shortages and soaring food prices affected 47% of countries in 2020, up from 16% in 2019.
3. Good health and well-being – The COVID 19 led to 15 million deaths, and essential health services in 92% of countries got disrupted (2021), leading to reduction in global life expectancy and prevalence of anxiety and depression.
4. Quality Education - Between 2020-21, over half of in-person instruction at schools were missed by 147 million children, and it is estimated that 24 million learners worldwide may never return to school.
5. Gender Equality - While there was a rise in women employment in 2019, the 45% global employment loss in 2020 set back the equal representation pace. It was revealed through a survey that 1 in every 4 women were subject to violence at least once in their lifetime.
6. Clean water and sanitation – World’s water ecosystems are degrading; over 85% of wetlands are lost, while 733+ million people live in countries with high levels of water stress.
7. Affordable and clean energy - Progress in energy efficiency is occurring, yet the annual energy-intensity rate needs to double by 2030.
8. Decent work and Economic growth – Global unemployment dropped, but child labour continues to be a significant issue.
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure – Global manufacturing is recovering, yet small industries have suffered due to COVID-related disruptions.
10. Reduced inequalities - The pandemic caused an increase in income inequality, with discrimination remaining a challenge.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities - Urban issues like air pollution and waste management need urgent attention.
12. Responsible Consumption and production – Reliance on natural resources is increasing, which complicates sustainability efforts.
13. Climate Action – Climate crises are rising, necessitating immediate action.
14. Life below Water - Ocean ecosystems face significant threats from pollution and climate change.
15. Life on Land - Deforestation and extinction risks are critical issues.
16. Peace, Justice and strong Institutions - Conflict areas require effective institutions for justice.
17. Partnerships for the Goals - Post-pandemic challenges necessitate stronger global partnerships for sustainable development.

This chunk outlines the current global status regarding the Sustainable Development Goals post-COVID-19. Each point identifies a specific goal, the challenges faced, and relevant statistics indicating the severity of the issues. For example, 'No Poverty' highlights the increase in poverty due to COVID-19, while 'Zero Hunger' emphasizes the increasing hunger rates due to various crises. Each goal is interconnected, and the chunk emphasizes the need for urgent action in multiple sectors to address the challenges illuminated by the pandemic.

Consider a family that once could afford five meals a week. After the pandemic and economic challenges, they now struggle to save enough for three meals a week. This situation reflects the broader impact of COVID-19 on global poverty and hunger statistics, showing how individuals and families around the world are grappling with similar difficulties.

Goals Overview and Challenges

1. No Poverty - The ongoing migration and refugee crisis has elevated poverty to a critical global challenge.
2. Zero Hunger - With 1 in 10 people hungry and 47% of countries facing food shortages, improving food security is critical.
3. Good health and well-being - Ensuring healthy lives, particularly through disruptions in healthcare due to COVID, remains crucial.
4. Quality Education - Educational disruptions and infrastructure challenges highlight the pressing need to address schooling for millions.
5. Gender Equality - Addressing gender violence and employment disparities is essential for an equitable future.

This chunk provides bullet-point summaries of the broader challenges faced in achieving each Sustainable Development Goal. It encourages students to recognize the specific aspects of poverty, hunger, health, education, and gender inequality that need immediate attention. By breaking down each goal into concise bullet points, students can better understand the complex nature of sustainable development and the interconnectedness of these goals.

Think of an ecosystem, where each species relies on others to thrive. If one species declines—like with education— the entire ecosystem suffers. Similarly, if children's education suffers due to lack of infrastructure, the future workforce and society at large will struggle too. Each Sustainable Development Goal is like a crucial species in the greater ecosystem of our society, highlighting how their individual success contributes to the health of the whole.

Each SDG has a number of Targets, each measurable by indicators; for example, Target 1.1 ‘By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less that $1.25 per day’. This can be measured through the indicator 1.1.1 ‘Proportion of population living below the international poverty line by sex, age, employment status and geographical location (urban/rural)’. India plays a crucial role in the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the future.

This chunk explains the necessity of measurable targets in tracking progress towards each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). It uses the example of measuring poverty by defining a specific target (eradicating extreme poverty) and an indicator (people living on less than $1.25 a day). This emphasizes the importance of quantitative measures in assessing whether goals are being met or not, and highlights India's critical role in global sustainable development efforts.

Consider preparing for a marathon. To gauge your training, you might track how many miles you run each week. Each week’s distance is like an SDG indicator: it shows your progress towards the race. Just as these training metrics help you realize if you are on track to finish, the indicators for SDGs illustrate how nations measure success in fighting poverty, improving health, and advancing education.

As the world moves towards sustainable development, the role of civil engineering becomes pivotal, needing to shoulder the responsibilities of designing and developing sustainable solutions.

This chunk highlights the crucial role that civil engineering plays in achieving sustainable development goals. Civil engineers are responsible for creating infrastructure that supports sustainability—this includes everything from building energy-efficient structures to designing systems that conserve water. As society tackles environmental challenges, engineers must innovate solutions that balance human needs with ecological health.

Think of civil engineers as gardeners who design and cultivate a community garden. They select plants that will thrive together, ensure there are sources of water and nutrients, and create paths that people can use to enjoy the garden. Just like a gardener planning for the future health of their plants, civil engineers must plan for sustainable urban environments that meet the needs of today while ensuring resources for future generations.

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