Poverty + Development

Sustainable urban cities: Ecogardens and environmental education for all

Environmental action at the local level can serve as a powerful model for national policy.

By Gaia Pardiso for The Huffington Post

Sunday is devoted to relax and body battery recharge after a tough working week. The well-being of humanity, the environment and the functioning of the economy, ultimately depend upon the responsible management of our bodies and minds, as well as of the planet’s natural resources.

See also: One man’s plan to end water scarcity for everyone

The Rio+20 Outcome “The Future we want” document actively recognizes the importance of advancing sustainable development and urges all countries to fully implement commitments under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (signed at the Earth Rio Summit in 1992) aimed at preserving biodiversity, sustainably use its components and fairly sharing benefits arising from genetic resources. The newly adopted sustainable development goals call for ” sustainable , resilient, inclusive, safe cities and human settlements” (SDG 11).

A woman collects carrots in an urban garden in Barcelona.

In its targets, SDG 11 aims at ensuring access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums, accessible and sustainable transport system for all, improving road safety; enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries, as well as protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

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