"Humans are the planet’s main ecological disruptor," suggests a paper written by Anthony Abanobi Ajero. According to the paper, humans, for whom the UN has made efforts to transform the world for the better, are hindering development. "As a species, we are at the centre of our planetary crises. We pollute the waters, indiscriminately fell the trees, impoverish others by our conspicuous consumption, start wars, and invest in nuclear armaments to deploy the immoral trade," Ajero noted. The SDGs are designed to address vital areas that include health, education, food, gender equality, peace, clean water, and economic growth. However, the author argues that the SDGs fail to address the "critical factor – the human factor" in the quest for the 'Future We Want'. He blames this as the cause of "the ecological imbalance troubling the planet" and therefore argues that until the UN pays attention to the promotion of human values, the SDGs may not be successfully achieved.

Man As the Planet’s Main Ecological Disruptor

Activities such as illegal mining, deforestation, land degradation, industrial waste, and improper use of plastics contribute to environmental degradation. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices, such as the use of harmful chemicals, pollute water bodies and threaten life underwater as well as those who consume polluted fish on earth. Additionally, bush burning, fossil fuel extraction, and transportation all contribute to climate change, which is a major problem facing the world today and is addressed by goal thirteen of the SDGs.

The unequal access to healthcare and education undermines the third and fourth Sustainable Development Goals, which focus on Good Health and Well-Being and Quality Education. Corruption and bribery are additional hindrances to sustainable development in many societies, as are tax evasion and illicit financial flows. Labour exploitation, as well as unfair labour practices, increase the socio-economic inequalities experienced in many parts of the world.

The excessive use of water, energy, and other resources is increasing. Issues such as unsustainable agricultural practices, food waste, single-use plastics, and packaging continue to be problems. These activities, along with fast fashion and textile waste, conflict with the twelfth SDG on Responsible Consumption and Production.

Many nations face the persistent problem of ineffective or corrupt institutions, highlighting the importance of the sixteenth SDG on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. In terms of policy and governance, many societies lack policy frameworks that promote the representation and participation of minority and marginalized groups.

Values For Sustainable Development

Human values are fundamental principles or standards that guide human behaviour, decision-making, and relationships. They play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they guide individual and collective behaviour, shape policies and decision-making, and foster empathy and cooperation. According to Ajero, the human mind is "the seat of affection and motive" and holds that "the human mind must be intentionally and contextually cultivated" for the task of sustaining the planet. But how can we instil moral values in humans?

Instilling values in people is a shared responsibility among various individuals and institutions. Ajero suggests that the UN should involve members and groups from various cultures around the world who are dedicated to promoting transformative values for humanity. These groups include families, educational institutions, local leaders, faith communities, government, the media, and social networks. According to Ajero, the youth are the intended beneficiaries of the future that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve. Therefore, he recommends that the UN and its agencies encourage national governments to incorporate graded curriculums on the SDGs into their educational syllabi. Ajero asserts that knowledge of the SDGs will help equip young people with a moral responsibility to safeguard the planet.

As it is with humans, the United Nations is guided by core values that include respect for diversity, integrity, and professionalism, which shape its organizational culture and decision-making processes. Anthony Abanobi Ajero believes that these values can serve as a starting point for conversations with partner agencies in the tradition of human character formation. For him, having positive values is the way to promote a more compassionate and responsible generation that can care for the earth and its inhabitants.