Global warming, which brings about various harmful effects, is an urgent issue that must be stopped somehow, not only for humanity but also for skiers and snowboarders who love snowy mountains. This major issue is also listed as one of the 17 goals in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Let's take a look at the SDGs again
The SDGs are "17 goals to be achieved by 2030"
SDGs is an abbreviation for " Sustainable Development Goals " a set of common goals for the international community Sustainable Development Summit , held in September 2015 and attended by world leaders from over 150 countries.
It is a long-term development guideline from 2015 to 2030 that aims to realize a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive society in which "no one is left behind." made up of 17 goals and 169 targets (specific goals) .
The 169 targets are more specific than the 17 goals, describing what to aim for and to what extent globally, and as specific as possible the goals to be achieved. The 17 goals and 169 targets are "integral and inseparable," and are characterized by their interrelationship
To learn the basics of the SDGs, we recommend watching this video produced by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
check out the UN's "New Translation of the SDGs and Targets" at https://xsdg.jp/shinyaku.html
▼YouTube video/What are the SDGs? (7 minutes 34 seconds)
Strong goals related to the snow industry and skiers
There is a growing movement in the snow industry to use the SDGs framework and movement to protect the snow of the future and to realize a sustainable world where we can continue to enjoy great snow sports. So how does this relate to the SDGs?
SDG goal (13) "Take concrete measures to combat climate change" aims to take concrete measures to combat global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and to stop global warming even if only slightly. "If it snows less, won't we no longer be able to enjoy the snowy mountains as we do now?!" This is a straightforward and easy-to-understand theme that is linked to the snow industry and skiers
Of course, that's not all. The SDGs apply to various people depending on their role and position in society
Taking the snow industry as an example, it is possible to consider initiatives to contribute to the SDGs in each of the following roles: snow resorts, product manufacturers, individual users (skiers), and the media
For example, switching to renewable energy for powering lifts, snow machines, and snow groomers at resorts, promoting local production and consumption at restaurants and reducing food waste, clothing made from recycled materials and fluorine-free wax, gear repair, switching to electric vehicles and eco-driving..
SDG initiatives that create synergy
The ideal of the SDGs is for the 17 goals to be interrelated and create synergies. For example, the spread of renewable energy (Goal 7), which is considered the most effective way to reduce CO₂ emissions, is not only directly linked to climate change countermeasures (Goal 13), but also contributes to people's health by reducing air pollution (Goal 3) and has a positive impact on the creation of sustainable cities (Goal 11)
Take local beer, for example, which is brewed in snowy regions. There has been an increase in local beers named after resorts, such as "Niseko Beer," "Arai Beer," and "Shiga Kogen Beer." The beer is brewed by local residents using underground water that flows abundantly from ski resorts and the surrounding mountains. While cherishing the richness of the mountains, it creates new jobs in resort areas and revitalizes local industries. The commitment to crafting products and job satisfaction can be seen as an SDG initiative that creates synergy effects
In fact, each individual action creates a synergistic effect, and various activities are being carried out to bring about change. STEEP would like to disseminate information about these activities in its role as a media outlet
For example, like this..
Towards the goal (17) of the SDGs, "Achieving the goals through partnerships," we would like to introduce SDG initiatives in Japan and overseas, act as a bridge between companies and users, and connect people
So that we can continue to skate forever on this beautiful Earth!
Think about the future of snow
[References]
Introduction to SDGs: Changing the Future for Everyone, by Norifumi Kanie (Iwanami Shoten);
Understanding the Shape of the Earth in 2030 Through Data, by Kenji Fuma (Nikkei BP);
30 Ways to Protect the World from Climate Change: Our Climate Justice!,
by the International Environmental NGO FoE Japan Climate Change and Energy Team (Godo Publishing);
A Book to Understand the Basics of Environmental Issues, by Hitoshi Kadowaki (Hidewa System);
Global Environmental Keyword Dictionary, by the Global Environmental Research Group (Chuohoki);
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Emissions Trading, by Mizuho Corporate and Mizuho Information & Research Institute (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun)