ActNow for Zero waste) by making choices, right choices, choices that are less
harmful to the environment. It is about taking care of the environment and the
environment will in turn taking care of us. Before we can speak about
corporations getting involved in all the SDGs (have environment guidelines to
follow in their operations) we need to start appreciating the goals at individual
level, at household level and see what one can do to make these goals achieve
their targets. It is in how we throw our waste through moving cars or dumping in
drainages instead of using prescribed disposal methods. People in communities
have a way of meeting; through churches, schools, markets, clinics, hospitals or
constituent assemblies. These are ideal platforms were good habits and the
well- being, care for the environment, suitable use of water and proper waste
disposal methods can to be taught. Churches have great influence in
communities we live in, they need to integrate their preaching that it is also
aligned to sustainable development goals after all cleanliness is next to
Godliness. They need to educate congregants that improper disposal of plastics,
bottles, condoms and other materials rather than water in drainages and
sanitation pits has adverse effects on the environment and such effects will
directly affect the people in these communities. To get rid of these materials it
would cost huge sums of money which could have been used on other important
developmental activities. Sometimes the laws that govern us are too far from us
and it is the communities that can help enforce these laws by protecting public
infrastructure that have been put in place to work for our own benefit. With the
coming of social media platforms it should be easy to disseminate the SDGs as
people slowly appreciate the use of technology. Other ways of educating each
other is by using poems, drama groups or by sending text messages that
promote these goals and the vision 2030. If these habits do not change, no
amount of donor aid or government funding will mitigate these effects. Change
starts with me.
Katele Robert
Lifestyle writer/blogger
bobbykays26@blogspot.com
HOW COMMUNITIES CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE UNITED NATIONS 7THSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND ZAMBIA'S VISION2030 (5minutes read)Figure 1: shows a drainage before and aer polluonMany times nations and world organisations come up with good developmentalagendas for the countries and communities. However there seems to be abarrier between the message and who the message is intended for. It is difficultto establish whether it is the complexity of the documents or maybe it is howthese programs are implemented.I have had the privilege of working for a scientific research institution and a utilitycompany for some time and mostly I have been involved with works pertaining tothe environment, this has helped me to appreciate some gaps that exist in ourlaws, regulations, and policies. This article is meant to be in its simplest form aspossible so that it can have an impact on one or two people who may alsoimpact on others regarding the United Nations' 7th Sustainable Developmentgoals (SDGs) which Zambia a party-to and our own Zambia's Vision 2030.In as much as all SDGs and vision 2030 seem to speak to each other, I havetaken keen interest in goals G3 Good health, G4 Quality education, G6 Cleanwater and Sanitation, G11 Sustainable cities and communities G12 ResponsibleConsumption and Production and finally G13 Climate Action.From the titles of these goals it is very easy to relate to all of them as all of usaspire to live in good health so that we can acquire quality education which wewill teach us how to produce and use clean water and benefit from goodsanitation which also help us to build and live in sustainable cities by producingand consuming responsibly. All these goals are bordering on nothing butadvocating for change in habits and routines at individual levels (Climate action
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