UNAIR NEWS – The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global initiative aimed at fostering peace and prosperity for humanity. As part of its commitment to realizing the SDGs, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through UNAIR SDGs Center, has held its first Airlangga SDGs School.
The two-day event featured several experts who discussed the four pillars of the SDGs. One of the speakers, Hakim Zulkarnain MSN, a lecturer from the Faculty of Nursing, focused on the environmental pillar within the SDGs.
Environmental impact
Zulkarnain opened his presentation by highlighting the critical importance of the environmental pillar, which he believes demands immediate attention given the current alarming state of the Earth.
“Why must we raise awareness about the environmental pillar? Our planet is getting hotter by the day, leading to higher temperatures and the alarming melting of polar ice caps,” Zulkarnain stated.
He warned that these changes could result in long-term consequences, such as rising sea levels, which could disrupt ecosystems on land. “The first impact will likely be an increase in sea levels, reducing the amount of habitable land. This will disrupt terrestrial ecosystems, including animal habitats, and may lead to the emergence of new diseases,” he explained.
Solutions
The industrial sector has proposed a short-term solution known as Greenwashing. However, rather than solving the problem, Greenwashing may worsen it. “Greenwashing happens when companies claim to adopt green practices but actually contribute to environmental harm. For example, they might report energy efficiency improvements while still being significant polluters,” Zulkarnain explained.
He argued that these industry-driven solutions are largely ineffective because they are primarily marketing tactics. Instead, he proposed real solutions that could be achieved through innovation and technology, such as developing green technologies and adopting renewable energy sources. Zulkarnain also highlighted the importance of reducing carbon footprints and implementing carbon trading.
“Renewable energy is a better option due to its minimal side effects compared to fossil fuels, which release carbon that damages the ozone layer,” Zulkarnain elaborated.
In conclusion, Zulkarnain emphasized the need for collective efforts to raise public awareness. “The key is to produce and consume responsibly, and to focus on greening and preserving the environment for future generations,” he concluded.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
