SDG 15: Protect ecosystems, forests and biodiversity loss

We, humans, have been following a basic pattern of consumption since decades across the globe. This was justified, because earlier there was no requirement to change the way we eat. We also never felt the need to even ponder on the impacts of our eating habits. However, times are now changing and we need to think of what and how we are eating on a daily basis. As we are all aware, protein is one of the major key nutrients in our balanced diet. These building blocks of our body are required in adequate quantity to maintain a healthy living. Milk, meat, dairy products, eggs, meat or even all animal-derived products are often considered to be the best source of protein. Under this impression, people have been consuming them for decades to fulfill their protein requirement.. But you must be wondering why shall we change and eat something different from what we currently are? Why not just stick to our ongoing eating habits? Little do we know, that these protein sources are unsustainable and cause a major ecological imbalance. Well….. you must know the cost we are paying due to this increasing reliance on animal-derived protein . More requirement of land, water and feed which could be utilized. Increasing emissions of greenhouse gasses Transportation in feeding and more…… I strongly believe that switching to sustainable protein sources be it coming from meat, eggs, fih or dairy will play a key role in protecting our climate. Also, the proconcieved notion that total protein can only be obtained from animal sources is gradually dimishing owing to the advancemnt in science and technology. With this in mind, even a single switch can lead to a greener future.

Find out the the plastic products nearby such as the bottles, bags and utensils; think of appropriate usage or drop them into the recycling bin; avoid using them by choosing alternatives.

Putting rubbish in the bin: an action so simple, yet so few do. The step I am taking aims to motivate people to put their rubbish in the bin and encourage people to pick-up litter they may see on the ground around them. With the world's increasing consumerist behaviour, it is our collective responsibility to ensure correct disposal of the waste we are producing. Thus, my one step is to pick up rubbish if I see some on the ground, no matter where I am or what I am doing. Through completing this simple action, I hope to encourage others to join me in cleaning up our environment. It is astounding to see how much litter is spread across the land we occupy and how many people disregard it. If people removed the stigma of ‘not my rubbish not my responsibility’ it would drastically improve the overall cleanliness and health of our ecosystem. No positive action is ever achieved by a bystander. The best part about this is that the more people who do pick up rubbish, the less rubbish there will be to pick up. It builds resilience cities, fosters positive socio-ecological environments, and encourages humans to take ownership over their own actions.

Do not buy or use anything processed or packaged. Support sustainable farming by buying groceries from sustainable farms. This helps avoid the use of chemicals in food growing, processing and packaging which ends up as waste in soil, water or air. Also, the process of processing and manufacturing consumes energy and emits gases that are harmful. I believe if each person can commit to sustainable eating which contributes largely to pollution and climate change, it will make a big difference.

In an attempt to disrupt the flow of carbon into the atmosphere, I will be disrupting the flow of my money to coal, oil and gas. Like many others, I have switched to a plant-based diet, carry a keep cup and drink bottle and get heated about environmental issues. However, neither my bank nor my super account aligns with my environmental values. The concept of divesting is simple. Without our money, banks cannot keep funding the companies that pollute for profit. I would like to put my money where my mouth is, as the money that you deposit in a bank may be financing projects that fuel the climate crisis. In the last five years since the signing of the Paris Agreement, 35 of the world's leading banks have invested more than US$2.7 trillion in fossil fuel investments and have made over $16.6 billion in profits. Moving my money away from fossil fuels is one of the most powerful and easiest actions that I can take to leave behind the unviable trend of coal. This one step of divestment is proof that small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. Finally, I would like to use my social media platforms, such as Instagram, to blog about environmental activism. I pledge to use my following to spend more time talking about climate change as there is far too little discussion around the issue in the public sphere. Ultimately, we know that a rapid transformation of our world is possible - evident in how fast corporations, communities and governments have acted throughout this pandemic. Notably, the recent 2021 Sustainable Development Report by the United Nations revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic is a setback for sustainable development everywhere. For the first time since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, the global average SDG Index score for 2020 has decreased from the previous year. Now more than ever, we must take simple and powerful steps towards healing our one planet.

It is a worldwide fact that products made by plastic, including bottles, cutleries and straws will damage the environment as they are not able to resolve in the solid naturally. Also, during the process of production, a lot of toxic chemicals are released such as benzene, which will pollute the air and further increase the level of climate change. Most people know about it, but theyseldom care. They keep using plastic cutlery when they order take-away food, or even in restaurants just because it is convenient. Buying bottled water instead of bringing their own, again, just because it is convenient. Therefore, I would like to start by myself, start bringing my own mental cutlery and water when I eat outside. Say no to plastic cutlery when I order take-aways, and bring my own cup when buying coffee outside. I believe it is a good and simple way to build the habit of becoming green and sustainable.

Whenever I feel like losing a reason to fight for nature, I go out for a walk, leave my house and go watch the sunset. Doing so, I bring myself closer to nature and with my eyes, observe and appreciate the beauty of the world around me. This never fails to motivate me to continue taking action to protect the world I am living in and feel optimistic about the future. There will be always amazing things happening around the globe and the community I am a part of.

I plan to transform my council owned nature strip into a functioning patch of biodiversity! Invasive or introduced grasses serves very little purpose to the environment and wider biodiversity, through lack of habitat, cooling ability and energy though required maintenance of cutting. By following my council guidelines and planting native and indigenous plants I will be able to increase biodiversity, help filtrate storm water, provide habitat and limit solar radiation just as a start. I hope to show other individuals the benefit of replanting, increasing positive interactions outdoors and create sustainable spaces for the wider community one plot at a time. The photo is Hardenbergia violacea. It's a great climbing plant or ground cover which flowers in the cooler months, providing a much needed food source for many animals and I personally think it cheers people up during the colder months in Australia.

I would like to change to at least a plant based diet. I love food so much and meat is a big part of this, but I understand the negative impact that the livestock industry is having on the planet so I would like to make a change to do something about it. At least 4 days a week I would like to be meat free by the end of the year. This is hard since I live with my family so I will have to try and work with them on it but I am sure that they will support me in this. I love to cook so trying new recipes will be fun!

A pretty simple one. I just want to reduce the amount of finite materials I consume in my day to day life. I make sure to do the basic ones like always carrying my water bottle around, I use a keep cup and I have a bamboo cutlery set that I carry around so I don't have to use single use plastic ones when I buy food at uni or the shops. As well as this I make sure to only get online versions of my textbooks. I am trying more and more to sell or donate things that I no longer need or use rather than just letting them collect dust, this way maybe someone else can use it rather than buying something new. I also just started working at a homeware salvage warehouse where we salvage materials and furniture from houses that are being demolished to give them new homes to reduce the amount of waste. I hope to get to a point where I don't need any single use plastic other than maybe food packaging in my day to day life but this is something I will have to work on over a while as it requires research and lifestyle changes to be able to make such a dramatic change.