W1: Introduction to Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development?

In this first week, we have been taught about the introduction to Sustainable development. From this topic, I want to share the definition of Sustainable development and its goals because I think these two are the most important thing in this topic, and everyone must be clear about it. So firstly, what is sustainable development actually means?

Sustainable means 'able to maintains', thus, Sustainable Development means 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' From my own understanding, sustainable development is like a mission to develop a sustainable country from all aspects of the economy, politic, social, and others to fulfill the present generation's current needs by achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), without affecting the mission's of the future generation to meet their needs later.

Since I'm currently at home due to the MCO that has caused us to have online learning instead of physical learning, I would like to show my home environment which can be related to sustainable development:

 

As you can see, my home environment is filled with plants because my family loves to plant trees and flowers. Not only that, but my family also owns a lot of cats in our home too. We all love cats. We always take stray cats and take care of them. That is why the number of cats in our house has never decreased. The total number of cats we own now is 8 cats. Here are some photos of my cute cats >.< :

This is my favorite one, a stray cat that my sister took from her university (UPM) last year before the CMO was announced:

Planting trees and taking care of animals definitely can sustain the resources of flora and fauna which can contribute to the sustainable development of the country. This is related to SDG number 15, which is 'Life on land'. Life on land aims to 'protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.' Therefore, plants and animals will continue to be protected from extinction.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

According to Wikipedia, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". So basically, Sustainable development has 17 goals altogether that need to be achieved in order to sustain the current needs. Below I've attached a picture about the SDGs, so let's see what are those 17 goals:

Among all these goals, I would love to emphasize and do the reflection on SDG number 2, which is 'Zero Hunger' because I do understand more about this goal than the other goals.

➤ Zero Hunger aims to end hunger, achieve food security improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

Zero hunger is very important in sustainable development because food and nutrition is the most important thing to survive in life besides water. We as human beings need nutrition from foods in order for the organs in our body to function well. Without it, we will die because we don't have any energy to do anything. Nowadays, there are many people who have died because of starvation and not getting enough nutrition, especially in Africa. Thus, I've discovered some ways that we can do to help in achieving this goal:

• Support local business

We should support our local business by buying their products so that their business will thrive. Upon thrived, there is a high possibility for the workers' wages to be increased. Thus, the workers will get enough money to feed themselves and their families. Especially during this pandemic, there are many people who are losing their job because of the CMO. In order to survive, they started to do business, selling their own products such as foods or being an agent or dropship of other people business. 

Related to my life, my aunt also has started doing her own business or trading in the eatery for breakfast and lunch due to the pandemic to earn some money because she has retired from being a teacher and her husband doesn't have any job either. So, she and her husband have decided to manage their own eatery as their full-time job to survive the rest of their life. During the holiday or in the time when I don't have any online class, I will help her by being a waitress in that eatery. In my own experience, the more customers, the more my aunt will pay me. Therefore, supporting the local business also means helping to raise the workers' wages to survive in their lives, and thus the mission to zero hunger can also be achieved. These are some photos of my aunt's eatery: 

• Involve in charity/donation

Nowadays, we can find the donation box everywhere in public places including the mosque, restaurant, and shopping mall. The money in some of the donation boxes will be channeled to those who are poor and in need to help them get the necessities of life especially food. Besides, there are also many donation advertisements and programs spread in the media social to help those who are in need. Indeed, charity is a very good and noble deed on the part of Allah. As Allah said in the Quran surah Al-Baqarah verse 261, "The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing". Therefore, from now on, let's try to donate some amount of money according to our financial ability. For this, not only we will be rewarded, but also can contribute to sustainable development by helping out in achieving the goal of zero hunger among society. 

(Photo by Branimir Balogović from Pexels)

So, that is all from me about this topic. Stay tuned for the next topic! ❤