Environment: –
Environmental degradation and sustainability of basic resources presents a complex security challenge for the United States and the world. To address this challenge, the United Nations adopted an ambitious and aggressive set of Sustainable Development Goals designed to improve individual, community, and national resilience; strengthen economic and governance capacity; and address the most pressing environmental threats to health, livelihoods, and security. The United States must support this endeavor by engaging and enabling the Environment Industry, the pivotal player in developing technology, service, and process solutions to promote sustainable and efficient use of natural resources.
“There is no Plan B because there is no Planet B.” - Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Poor health and well-being around the world can threaten U.S. national security by creating conditions of instability and conflict that require U.S. attention and action, or fomenting health risks that may directly impact the U.S. population. In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted a set of ambitious goals titled the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to “end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.” These goals are to be achieved by 2030 and call all countries to action to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. The UN embraces the concept that, “The environment plays a pivotal role in lifting people out of poverty, in ending hunger, in growing our economies, in building peaceful, just and inclusive societies, and in promoting the health of our people and this planet.” Thus, the majority of the SDGs focus on environmental stability, resilience, and recovery. Inclusive in the goals are strategies and resourcing plans for climate change, environmental protection and impact mitigation, resiliency, and capacity building. (See Appendix E for the complete list of SDGs.)
Achievement of the ambitious targets established by the SDGs depends upon forward-leaning and complimentary action by governments and non-state actors. Industry will play a pivotal role in developing the technology, innovation, and solutions that enable communities to make sustainable use of resources, reduce pollution, minimize and correct environmental degradation, and tackle climate change. Governments that commit to achieving the SDGs have a responsibility to establish coordinated action plans to prioritize resources, leverage available tools within and outside of government, and galvanize public support. The U.S. government must commit to global leadership in pursuit of the SDGs by finalizing a national action plan; reviewing and adjusting environmental laws as necessary; providing incentives to industry through research and development funding and tax schemes; providing development assistance to build global capacity; and actively engaging the American public.
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