Three SDGs with One Intention

Sustainable Developmental Goals are important for everyone.

This month, I have chosen three:

• Quality Education (Goal 4),
• Gender Equality (Goal 5),
• Climate Action (Goal 13).

These three goals can be achieved together by providing equal access to education that is directly related to the environment.

All professions that have some impact on the environment.

Medical fields include the use of paper for reports, chemicals for healthcare, and medical waste. There is a need for all employees to take part in the control and decrease of the use and management of resources.

The education field also requires the use of multiple resources, such as printed documents, plasticware for meals, and other potentially recyclable items. There are also many digital resources that are now used in many fields. I have done many Zoom interviews that have decreased my need for travel (plane tickets, hotel rooms), food (wrappers, cups, straws, bags), and printing (tickets, presentations, receipts).

There are many organizations that accept used items and repurpose them, a few are:

TerraCycle TerraCycle.com: They recycle so many different things that it’s impossible to list them all here. They range from the sprues miniature models come on to beauty items to Taco Bell sauce packets.

Image from TerraCycle.com

Habitat for Humanity Restore Habitat.org: They take used or excess items related to building such as the working light fixture you changed out or the left over un-returnable slate from a contracting job.

Goodwill Goodwill.org: They employ people with different abilities, like the children I work with every day.

Dress for Success DressforSuccess.org: They work with women who need clothes for interviews, and offer interviewing skills classes and other resources.

I have donated items to all four organizations, prior to each move (there have been four so far) and in general when I no longer need or want something, I know what to do with it.

I encourage ALL members to donate to the organizations I have listed and find others in your area. And to spread the word to everyone you know.

EVERY day is Earth Day!

And we all need to help keep the planet safe for everyone, forever.

We ALL need to educate each other with the intention of supporting and protecting the environment and reducing the dangerous effects of climate change.

Dr. Joanne Carfioli Naylor
National Treasurer
2024-2026
treasurer@nfbpwc.org