Newsletter

Thrivability Matters Newsletter | February 2023

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION: SDG12

Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), is one of the 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The goal aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG12 seeks to promote the efficient use of natural resources and the reduction of waste and pollution. It recognizes that sustainable consumption and production are critical to achieving sustainable development and business models, as they help to reduce environmental impacts, create jobs and stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life of people.

To achieve SDG12, the United Nations calls for actions such as promoting sustainable lifestyles and education, improving resource efficiency in production and consumption, reducing waste generation, and promoting recycling, including minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials into the environment.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | January 2023

QUALITY EDUCATION, DECENT WORK & ECONOMIC GROWTH: SDG4 & SDG8

A golden thread that runs through all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is education. Sustainable development can be promoted through education by providing students with the knowledge and skills they need. This significant global agenda needs to be addressed from early childhood, all the way through to higher education. As an example, a positive aspect of the application of SDG4 is that children and young adults can learn about the importance of forests, for the benefit of the earth and, ultimately, for their own well-being.

Education should also always be a main global agenda, as children are future workers, students and civilians. It is for that reason that decent/sustainable work needs to also be applied to company and institution policies, attracting new workers who value sustainability. 

Some of the obstacles that compromise quality education (SDG4) are discrimination, inadequate policies, and a lack of equity-focused budgeting and data collection. These are topics that still exacerbate inequalities among the most disadvantaged. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these challenges by highlighting the widening digital divide and the need for digital skills among learners and teachers.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | December 2022

Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions & Partnerships for the Goals: SDG16 & SDG17

Strong institutions and global partnerships are both required to create a thrivable future. Multilateral environmental agreements and progress towards international environmental goals can be better supported by strong and just institutions, the rule of law, and enforcement. In order to effectively prevent conflict, and promote post-conflict reconstruction and peaceful and inclusive societies, it is vital to understand the links between the environment and human security. Forty percent of conflicts in the past sixty years have been related to natural resources, and these conflicts are twice as likely to recur.

Achieving SDG16 relies on institutional changes, which require inputs from both the social sciences and the ethics domain. The social SDGs differ from the resource-use efficiency and objectives categories. For example, SDG16 requires constant collaboration within and between nations to uphold peace, justice, and stronger institutions. This is where SDG17 can thrive, as its main agenda is to create and uphold sustainable partnerships.

As partnerships grow, resources will be mobilized, knowledge will be shared, environmentally sound technologies will be developed and transferred, and capacity will be built. Integrating the environmental dimension into the existing financial system would make it more sustainable. Through different global and sustainable partnerships, we can ensure a thrivable future.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | November 2022

CLEAN & AFFORDABLE ENERGY: SDG7

Investing in our future through clean and affordable energy needs to happen now! Renewable energy sources cannot be considered a backup when we are running out of resources at an unsustainable rate. 

Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are primarily driven by the energy sector, which accounts for three-quarters of the emissions. A dirty diet is becoming more popular in some countries due to geopolitical circumstances. At the same time, existing energy systems fail to deliver. Globally, 733 million people lack access to electricity, locking them into poverty and preventing them from taking advantage of the opportunities it offers. The health costs of cooking and heating homes with polluting fuels are significant for one-third of the world’s population. Another reason for the slow progress toward universal access to electricity has been the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of people lacking access to electricity will increase unless decisive action is taken.

There is no doubt that traditional energy sources such as coal, oil, and gas have a negative environmental impact. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy has prompted us to explore other options for producing and storing energy. Although it may sometimes seem like we are heading nowhere, places like Tasmania, the Orkney Islands, and Iceland are leading the way in renewable energy production. For those of us who are still in the dark, they are beacons of hope.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | October 2022

NO POVERTY & ZERO HUNGER: SDG1 & SDG2

This month, THRIVE focuses on the UN’s sustainable development goals, SDG1 & SDG2 (No Poverty & Zero Hunger)

The proportion of population below the international poverty line is increasing, with an estimated 9% of the global population living in extreme poverty (living on less than 1.90$ a day). Moreover, new research published by the UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research warns that the economic fallout from the global pandemic could increase global poverty by as much as half a billion people, or 8% of the total human population.

Increased poverty leads to other issues, such as hunger. Around the world, more than enough food is produced to feed the global population, yet approximately 800 million people still go hungry or are facing famine. There is a prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity in this population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Thus, food security is becoming critical at the global level.

These issues need to be sustainably solved, as we are already encroaching on the natural world in an unsustainable way. We are using up approximately five billion hectares, or 38 percent of the global land surface, for agriculture. Also, poverty and hunger will increasingly affect disadvantaged and vulnerable groups leading to further instability. 

A solution might be found in innovations like the universal basic income (UBI). A UBI is a policy principle in which all citizens receive a regular and equal financial grant from the government without a means test. Remote Sensing Technology and the Geographic Information System might offer another solution by optimising crop management and land use. Innovations like these are yielding positive results but there is still a long way to go to eradicate global poverty and hunger.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | September 2022

TALKING SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITES: SDG11

This month, THRIVE focuses on the UN’s sustainable development goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.

As the world is becoming increasingly urbanised, with over half of the population living in cities, new urban development plans are needed. These urban developments need to be sustainably planned, as we are already lending natural space that is needed for the earth to THRIVE.  Mass deforestation and draining lakes and rivers have allowed us to build megacities and wonderful buildings, but at what costs?

Rapid urbanisation is one of the major causes for increase in disasters, especially in the developing countries. The UN population fund predicts that by the year 2050, 86% of the population in developed nations (64% in developing nations) will live in urban areas. However, research has shown that urbanisation does not necessarily lead to increasing urban disaster damages and if properly managed, urbanisation can reduce urban disaster damage.

Another aspect that needs to be discussed is how urban disasters affect disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Sustainable communities could help in creating awareness regarding how urban disasters may affect vulnerable groups before the rest of the community. There are a variety of different policies created for creating community sustainability initiatives, for example social mixing, but are these policies the right ones for your community?

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | August 2022

LIFE UNDER WATER & LIFE ON LAND: SDG14 & SDG15

This month THRIVE focuses on SDG 14 and 15 i.e. sustainable use and conservation of oceans, seas and resources of marine life as well as terrestrial ecosystem. As a matter of fact, life on the planet is supported by the ocean that also helps in regulating the global climate system. However, levels of ocean degradation are increasing – by 2050, it is expected there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish and by 2100, a 100–150% rise in acidity will affect half of all marine life. SDG 15 seeks to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of our terrestrial ecosystem. It calls for sustainable management of forests, the combatting of desertification, and a halt and reverse of land degradation and biodiversity loss. One-fifth of the earth’s land area is affected by land degradation, while the proportion of forest area fell from 31.9% of total land area to 31.2% in the last 20 years, a net loss of 100 million hectares.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | July 2022

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: SDG9

This month we’ve focused on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Achieving socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic development is vital if we want a prosperous future for humanity. Building partnerships, investing in infrastructure, and fostering innovation are essential to solving our economic and environmental challenges. If all that sounds a little beyond your control we’ve also had a lot to say about sustainability at home. We are not powerless against climate change and much of what we can do begins at home. If you’re keen to see how your country fares in terms of achieving the SDGs use this performance index to see where your country ranks.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | June 2022

Clean Water and Sanitation: SDG6

This month, THRIVE focused on Clean Water and Sanitation. Currently, clean water, flushing toilets and other forms of sewage treatments are the biggest concerns among many, affecting the health of millions all over the world. According to WHO and UNICEF, 900 million or one in eight people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water. The quality of life especially in developing nations is impacted due to poor hygiene conditions and unclean water. However, people in developed nations are equally suffering. If you think living in a city or a first world country exempts you from the problem, consider that demand for water in cities is expected to increase by 80 per cent by 2050 and that of the world’s largest 500 cities it is predicted that 19 per cent of them will be in conflict with rural areas over water.

2018 – 2028 has been declared a Water Action Decade and you can see what your country is doing to secure your future water supply here. It is high time that we start raising big questions…

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | May 2022

Gender Equality & Reduced Inequality: SDG5 & SDG10

According to the World Economic Forum, one of the iconic moments in the history of women’s rights was when 20 years ago189 governments adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In an effort to realize equal opportunities for women and girls, this liberal proposal remains a powerful source of inspiration for nations around the world. However, when much progress has been made in the past decades, much more needs to be done in order to ensure that women are provided with healthy lives, education and complete social inclusion. Unfortunately, in only 42 countries women hold more than 30 per cent seats in the national legislature and young girls still don’t have the opportunity to acquire education as boys in Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and Western Asia.

Gender equality is a human right and not just the concern of half of the global population. It is everybody’s concern as no society can achieve success in any field – social, economic or political – if half of its population is marginalized. It is imperative that we leave no one behind. This month, THRIVE talks about equality that is also a part of SDG 5 and 10…

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | April 2022

Climate Action: SDG13

Climate change is more than just feeling a little bit hotter in summer and a little less cold in winter. It’s an extinction-level event, wiping out species every day. It’s more violent and more frequent extreme weather events. And for many humans, it’s the root cause of a great deal of hunger, poverty, water scarcity, human unrest, and diseases. There’s too much at stake to do nothing. This month, we bring you the low-down on what’s driving climate change. And more importantly, how we can stop it together.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | March 2022

Good Health & Well-being: SDG3

For a sustainable future, ensuring good health and well-being is vital. Currently, the world is living through a pandemic that has a global impact over human health, economy and lives of billions of people around the world. There is no gain saying the fact that COVID-19 has also made it all the more important to prioritize our health, both mental and physical.

March has been an intense month, with war in Ukraine and devastating floods here in Australia. For too many of us, SDG3 – good health and well-being for all – has never seemed further away. Here at THRIVE, we are seeing the impacts of an unsustainable society play out all around the world. Hence, we are trying our best to offer complete guidance on how to increase your personal health, and that of the community. We believe that we need to be in good health – mentally and physically – to be resilient enough to face the challenges ahead.

 Want to know more about increasing good health and wellbeing? Our blog has you covered…

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | February 2022

Responsible Consumption & Production: SDG12

We are blessed to receive an abundance of natural resources from our planet. Sadly, we haven’t consumed all those resources responsibly. In fact, we have utilized them far beyond the capacity of the planet. It’s time, we must learn how to use and produce in sustainable ways to reverse the harm that we have inflicted on the planet. This month at THRIVE, we’re all about responsible consumption; no easy task in our consumer-driven world.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | January 2022

Quality Education and Economic Growth: SDG4 & SDG8

The THRIVE Project wishes everyone a happy new year! While we reflect on the turbulent year we had, we must learn from these experiences to better prepare for the future. To start the year, we discuss quality education and sustainable economic growth. 

For a sustainable future, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education is vital. SDG 4 comprises 10 targets to be achieved by 2030. Whereas SDG 8 i.e decent work and economic growth, can drive progress and generate decent jobs for all in order to improve living standards.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | December 2021

Talking Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions AND Partnership for Goals: SDG16 & SDG17

It has been a tumultuous year. Just as we thought we had survived COVID19 (alpha), came delta and omicron. We are still reeling at the prospect of several more variants, each an order of magnitude more potent and devastating than the one before. There is no doubt that this will not be the last, and that epidemics will plague society in years to come.

Here at THRIVE Project we have long assessed existential threats to humanity brought on by the likes of pandemics, loss of biodiversitypollutionclimate change, and a long list of social ills. We have examined and provided practical guidance on how to address these issues and how to endure and prosper against such adversities.

If we are to thrive as a species…

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | November 2021

Talking Affordable & Clean Energy: SDG7

While the environmental impact of traditional energy sources such as coal, oil and gas are undeniable the intermittent nature of renewable energy have elicited a need to explore additional options in terms of where and how we get our energy, as well as how we store it. At COP26 more than 40 world leaders committed to what is now being called The Glasgow Breakthroughs. An initiative to encourage global private investment in low carbon technologies. The five sectors to be targeted first are steel, road transport, agriculture, hydrogen and electricity. The initiative aims to draw in trillions of dollars in private finance for cutting emissions. And while it may sometimes feel like we are getting nowhere slowly, places like Tasmania, the Orkney Islands and Iceland are leading the way in renewable energy generation and serving as a beacon of hope for those of us still in the dark.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | October 2021

Talking No Poverty and Zero Hunger:

SDG1 & SDG2

More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty. That’s 700 million people living on less than $1.90 per day. Furthermore, 690 million people are suffering from hunger. Targets to eradicate poverty and hunger by 2030 have been completely disrupted by the pandemic with the impact of Covid-19 affecting the world’s poorest, the most. This month we’ve looked at policy changes, social protection systems and how a global food and agriculture overhaul is vital to our efforts to achieve no poverty and zero hunger. COP 26 takes place in Glasgow this year, with meetings opening up 31 October. Considering that the poorest nations are least responsible for environmental degradation caused by climate change but most affected by it’s impact, we’ll be keen to hear how various parties commit to the SDG targets.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | September 2021

Talking Sustainable Cities and Communities: SDG11

In their 2017 Global Status Report, the United Nations projected that the world will add 230 billion square metres of buildings by 2060. That’s an entire New York City added to the planet every month for the next 40 years. And more than two thirds of the expected population of 10 billion will be living in urban areas by the same time. Rapid urbanization places severe strain on fresh water supplies, sewage systems, the living environment and public health. As is often the case, those living in poverty are the most vulnerable. This month we’ve been looking at what cities can and are doing in order to adapt to the challenges they face now, and in the future.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | August 2021

Talking Life on Land and Below Water:

SDG14 & SDG15

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest report this month and made it clear that the next decade is going to be pivotal in terms of securing the future of our planet. It maintains that the climate crisis is unequivocally caused by human activity and that the direct impacts of climate change are only going to get worse. Hopelessness can often be paralyzing, but the report is clear: we can STILL mitigate what we’re doing – if we act now. At THRIVE we focused on Life on Land and Life Below Water this month. Protecting and promoting ecosystems and biodiversity both on land and below water is key to their survival. And ours. With that in mind, we have five tips to help you get involved. Remember, action is the antidote to helplessness.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | July 2021

Talking Industry and Innovation: SDG9

This month we’ve focused on industry, innovation and infrastructure. Achieving socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic development is vital if we want a prosperous future for humanity. Building partnerships, investing in infrastructure and fostering innovation are essential to solving our economic and environmental challenges. If all that sounds a little beyond your control we’ve also had a lot to say about sustainability at home. We are not powerless against climate change and much of what we can do begins at home. If you’re keen to see how your country fares in terms of achieving the SDGs use this performance index to see where your country ranks.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | June 2021

Talking Clean Water and Sanitation: SDG6

This month, THRIVE focused on water scarcity, which is sometimes referred to as water stress or water crisis. It may seem hard to grasp when you’re living in a first world country and clean water is readily available each time you turn on a tap, but billions of people lack access to this basic service. One in three, according to the World Health Organisation. And if you think living in a city or a first world country exempts you from the problem then consider that demand for water in cities is expected to increase by 80% by 2050 and that of the world’s largest 500 cities it is predicted that 19% of them will be in conflict with rural areas over water. 2018 – 2028 has been declared Water Action Decade and you can see what your country is doing to secure your water future supply here. Stay informed and take action.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | May 2021

Talking Inequality: SDG5 & SDG10

This month we’ve been talking about inequality. The first attempt to organise a national movement for women’s rights took place in New York in July, 1848. One hundred and seventy-three years later and women are still fighting for equal pay, equal opportunities and, in some places, even having to fight for reproductive freedom! This continued inequality also means that women and children are more negatively impacted by the effects of climate change. So it’s great to see that 52 of the people driving tangible policy change on this Climate 100 List are women. And although we tend to focus on gender inequality, imbalances in society also act to endanger and exploit children, people living in poor communities as well as people discriminated against based on their race or sexual orientation. So here are some tips on how we can work together to reduce inequality.

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Thrivability Matters Newsletter | April 2021

Talking Climate Action: SDG13

This month, our focus is on climate action. If you’re receiving this newsletter, chances are you care about the environment and want to join in the effort to combat climate change. You might also feel frustrated by the lack of progress, or even feel powerless to help. The one thing we cannot afford to do is to stop talking about climate change. We have an amazing collection of blog articles being published this month, offering up-to-date information on the challenges and breakthroughs in the field of climate action. If you’re wanting something a little bit more practical, we’ve also provided a handy list of five things you can do in your personal life to take part in climate action. We’re also sharing the latest buzz on things outside the Hive that you may wish to check out to help you keep the conversation going. We simply can’t keep quiet and leave climate change to run its course. Keep raising awareness in your communities and pressing for change.

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