Recently,
the United Nations has committed to 17 goals for sustainable development that
have the potential to achieve three extraordinary things in the next 15 years.
End extreme poverty. Fight inequality and injustice. Fix climate change. It is
a widely held belief that these goals can be achieved – in all countries and
for all people.
This
is a wonderful opportunity for countries and citizens of the world to work
together to improve the lives of people everywhere. The decisions and policies
of every government will have an effect on our ability to end
poverty, promote prosperity and well-being for all, protect the
environment and address climate change.
People
gather at the United Nations from every corner of the Earth representing
governments and other organizations interested in the many issues they face. It
is remarkable and encouraging that the human spirit is capable of setting aside
personal interests in favour of the common good.
Not
everyone who developed these goals or who voted in favour of them was Christian
or religious. Yet at their very core are religious and philosophical values
that speak to the Golden Rule that is at the heart of so many belief systems –
do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The three main categories of
the Global Goals for Sustainable Development are supported by major themes in
the Bible.
End Extreme
Poverty
There
have been plenty of times when we have taken the words of Jesus out of context.
When he acknowledges that there will always be poor, he is not giving us
permission to ignore the very real needs of people who find themselves in
extreme poverty. Elsewhere in scripture there is overwhelming evidence that the
expectation is that we have a responsibility to care for the poor. Besides,
this goal has to do with the extreme poverty. The goal is to end poverty
everywhere; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and
promote sustainable agriculture; it means to ensure healthy lives and promote
well-being for all at all ages.
Fight Inequality
and Injustice
It
might come as a surprise for many people but the Bible speaks frequently of
compassion. It speaks of justice as if it is an achievable reality. It speaks
of love as a deliberate decision to love even our enemies. The goals for
sustainable development seek to ensure inclusive education and promote lifelong
learning. It seeks to achieve gender equality. In addition, the goals seek to
ensure the availability of sustainable water and sanitation. As well as, access
to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. The goals will promote
inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work; fostering
innovation. The goal will reduce inequality within and among countries; make communities
inclusive and safe.
Fix Climate
Change.
The
Bible seems to put humans in charge of the planet. Not as exploiters of the
Earth’s resources but as stewards, or caretakers, of this amazingly
biologically diverse garden. The UN Global Goals require us to take urgent
action to combat climate change. We are to conserve the ocean’s resources. We
are to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of land.
These
goals fit well within the parameters of any belief system that cares for others
and the planet. These goals are achievable and have to be accomplished. My hope
is that we elect a federal government that is attentive to the very practical
need we have to be united with other nations and see poverty, justice and
climate change as very real issues facing every citizen of this blue, green
ball we call home.
No comments:
Post a Comment