A series of 17 videos featuring local sustainability champions has been created to help schools across Brighton & Hove mark United Nations Day (24 October).
In 2015, the UK and fellow United Nations Member States agreed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable society by 2030. These goals aim to end poverty, promote prosperity and wellbeing, all while protecting the environment.
This year marks the half-way point to the deadline of achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Local expertise
The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere, Brighton & Hove City Council, and the Our City, Our World environmental education programme have collaborated to produce a video series to mark the milestone.
Seventeen experts from Brighton & Hove and beyond, within The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere, have been interviewed to represent each of the SDGs.
The videos will be shown during assemblies at schools across the city to explain how these global goals are being pursued and achieved locally while inspiring Brighton & Hove children to take action in their communities.
Who the videos feature
- Introduction: Katie Eberstein, Environmental Education Officer, and Steve Kenzie, Executive Director at United Nations’ Global Compact Network UK
- 1: No poverty, Miles Davison, Sustainability and Energy Manager (Housing)
- 2: Zero hunger, Paul Loman, Director of The Real Junk Food Project Brighton
- 3: Good health and wellbeing, Dr Catherine Kelly, Senior Lecturer at University of Brighton
- 4: Quality education, Jonathan Cooper, Strategy Lead for Our City, Our World and former headteacher
- 5: Gender equality, Karen Dobres, Lewes Football Club
- 6: Clean water and sanitation, Fola Damola, Chemical Engineer in Portslade
- 7: Affordable and clean energy, Katie Scanlan, Visitor Centre Manager at Rampion Offshore Wind Farm
- 8: Decent work and economic growth, Sarah Springford, CEO at Brighton Chamber of Commerce
- 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Dougal Alexander Fleming, Innovation Adviser at Clean Growth UK
- 10: Reduced inequalities, Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
- 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the council’s’ City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee
- 12: Responsible consumption and production, Cat Fletcher, local reuse champion and co-founder of Freegle
- 13: Climate action, Ellie Wyatt, Schools campaign volunteer for Just One Tree
- 14: Life below water, Robert Pearson, Chief Fisheries and Conservation Officer at Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
- 15: Life on land, Kim Dawson, Biodiversity Officer at Brighton & Hove City Council
- 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, Reverend Martin Poole, Vicar of St. Luke's Prestonville
-
17: Partnerships for the goals, Martin Harris, Chair of The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere
The link to the playlist of the SDG videos is available here: https://shorturl.at/eyMPX
Reaching global goals locally
Councillor Tim Rowkins, chair of the City Environment, South Downs & The Sea Committee, said: "I’m very proud to have supported this project by representing Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
“Through the Our City, Our World programme, children and young people in Brighton & Hove are learning about climate change and the environment and being encouraged to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature.
“This video highlights the important work taking place across the city and The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere to reach the 17 global goals at a local level and make Brighton & Hove an accessible, clean and sustainable environment that we can all be proud of.”
Our City, Our World
Our City, Our World is the environmental education programme for Brighton & Hove schools. The council is working with schools to integrate environmental education throughout the curriculum, support climate action projects and create systems and practices that support sustainability.
The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere
The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere is part of a network of 738 UNESCO designated biospheres in the world, just like the Galapagos Islands or Mount Olympus!
Since 2014, our area has been recognised internationally for its outstanding environment and excellence in sustainability by UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation. From the South Downs National Park to the vibrant towns of Brighton & Hove, Lewes, and the surroundings, down to the beautiful chalk cliffs, stretching between the rivers Adur and Ouse, we aim to connect people and nature to inspire a positive future together.
Special thank you
This series has been created with volunteer support from Joe Elliott, Film Production student at Brighton Screen and Film School and Josef Stringfellow, Filmmaking student at UWE Bristol.
Thank you as well to all the interviewees who have agreed to give time for this initiative.