The first step: An accumulation
Bantar Gebang, the largest landfill in South-East Asia. 45 million tonnes, 50 metres high, and the permanent impact of short-term consumption.
Workers too young and too old, exposed with no shoes or coverings stood upon mounds of filth, labouring continuously against an unforgiving pile of waste in the hopes of a more sustainable future.
My understanding of the importance of our global sustainable development goals comes to light through seeing the direct opposite; social and economic inequalities, indecent work conditions and payment, unsustainable industrialisation and much more, compounding in front of my eyes.
The second step: A reflection
Living and growing up in Tasmania. Endless opportunity and diverse ecosystems, small and large. Dappled light trickles through dense canopy supporting endless life on land. Our water, teeming with diversity from charismatic seals to the smallest micro-organism. A road trip to the coast, a camping trip by the sea, or a hike through a rainforest, all of it available at our doorstep.
One future, determined by the choices we make today and the steps we take to change.
The next step: A future greener than the past
Experiences build who we are, and for me, my experiences have informed and will continue to inform my sustainable choices in the pursual of a connected dream for a green future, driven by the SDGs.
As I understand the associated effects of travel within the UK and wider areas, with carbon emissions fuelling the ongoing climate crisis, urbanisation and exploitation of natural phenomenon’s contributing to degradation of Celtic culture and unique natural, over tourism and irresponsible waste-handling, I push myself to make more sustainable choices. I have and will promote slow and eco-friendly travel by prioritising immersive experiences through responsible consumption and production (SDG 12); public transport and bike-riding/walking (SDG 13), supporting small businesses and informing myself on relevant UK issues and company ideals (SDG 8) (1. https://stroodles.co.uk/blogs/news/10-apps-to-help-you-be-more-sustainable & 2. https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/united-kingdom/), investing my time in cultural experiences to support the ongoing persistence of Celtic history (SDG 11).
Growing up in Tasmania, a country defined by it’s incredible nature alongside studying a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, protecting our natural environments has become my purpose. I hope to contribute to SDG 13, 14, and 15 by growing my cross-cultural understanding of the UK’s marine ecosystems. The UK maintains a leading role in global sustainable energy and net zero initiatives through offshore energy farms, alongside strong public and industrial marine management systems/MPAs supporting life below water and on land (3. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/commonwealth-marine-economies-programme). By furthering my understanding of global sustainability initiatives and their management techniques I will contribute to a cleaner environment both within my placement through volunteering within coastal cleanups and community events (4. https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/beach-clean/find-beach-clean/ & 5. https://www.egcp.scot/) and within my future career, building cross-cultural sustainability connections.
