The crowd’s roar fills the arena as the next boxing match is announced: “In the Blue corner, representing UN Sustainable Development Goals, we have Heidi! And in the opposing red corner, we have ‘The Challenges against UN Sustainable Development Goals!”
The crowd jeers, putting their all into support for Heidi, because who wouldn’t want to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals whilst studying at Summer School in Malaysia?
Ding-ding-ding! Round one begins.
With the first strike, The Challenges has thrown an aggressive punch. The force behind the punch represents the carbon emissions Heidi’s 13-hour flight to Malaysia emit, going against UN Sustainable Development Goal 7. However, Heidi is quick to duck- dodging the punch by committing to reducing her carbon emissions by traveling to the airport on a coach. By sharing this journey with many other people, Heidi will save 55.2kg of carbon, that otherwise would compromise her emissions further! (https://nxts.nationalexpress.com/about-us/carbon-calculator)
Soon to make the next move is Heidi, back in the fight, driven by her passion for Goal 15: Life on Land. Heidi’s studies will incorporate an excursion to The Orang Asli, where she will learn about importance and restoration hill rice cultivation for cash-crop agriculture for Aboriginal people in Malaysia. This visit will not only raise Heidi’s awareness to the essentiality to sustain our lands but will also show Heidi the importance around the rights to own and utilising the resources that the land can provide. (https://minorityrights.org/communities/orang-asli)
What a knockout from Heidi- taking the red corner down with a strong blow.
Peeling off the floor, The Challenges regains strength and power, ready to make an aggressive attack. The next punch strikes Goal 12. “Surely Heidi can’t combat Responsible Consumption and Production on her Summer School?” thinks The Challenges.
How wrong.
Heidi is poised, ready in her defensive stance to ensure the challenges has no chance in winning the fight; Heidi’s research and preparation really comes into play now! Whilst Heidi packed for her travels, she realised she needed light, appropriate clothing for her time in Malaysia. Instead of buying new, Heidi made sure she found what she needed in a local charity shop, promoting sustainable consumption. (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)
As the red corner bounces closer, once again ready to launch an attack, Heidi has yet another defence. When she is in Malaysia, Heidi is committed to eating local cuisine, not only to immerse herself in the culture, but to support local production and preparation of foods with a low carbon footprint!
Smack- The Challenges is back on the floor: defeated. Heidi is elated; all her preparation and education around the UN Sustainable Development Goals has clearly paid off!
The ding of the bell rings out again, this time marking the end of the fight.
The referee positions themselves to reveal the winner…
“And our winner, in the blue corner, is Heidi!”
Heidi’s fist is raised in victory. What a fight! The Challenges against UN Sustainable Development never stood a chance in the face of an educated and determined Heidi!
