In today’s time, it is impossible to talk about "environment" without including "climate change" in it-the threats of which are very real and are being felt all over the world-from increased heat, droughts and insect outbreaks to declining water supplies and reduced agricultural yields.

The only way to move forward is through development that is sustainable so as to mitigate the damage already caused. We owe this to our future generations who are the least involved in these changes yet they shall bear the consequences if we don’t act right.

Time is running out like sand out of a closed fist. Now is the time to bring in major changes that will protect our environment in the long run.

"Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here; it is happening now."
-Barack Obama

In the face of climate change, agriculture sustainability is essential for future food production. Although agriculture is necessary for providing food security, it has also been a major cause of deforestation.

We need to find harmony between agriculture and forestry in such a way that they positively impact the environment. A number of researches have highlighted that trees which are grown near agricultural fields will result in increased quality of soil, lesser soil erosion and increased water retention.

Our goal should be to increase forest cover along with crop productivity. In order to achieve this, integration of conventional farming with futuristic agriculture practices like precision agriculture, zero based farming, and promotion of farmer producer organisations can be implemented.

Consumer behaviour is one of the most prominent aspects of today’s growing economy. Understanding the needs of the market and what a person wants is the basic foundation of understanding the factors which influence their buying decision.

In order to make sustainable development a reality, it is necessary to dig deep into the requirements of individuals so that they can be moulded into using resources thoughtfully.

After extensive study, such products can be developed which fulfil the demands of the consumers as well as result in sustainable usage of resources.

Livestock is one of the main sources for food security and agricultural development. They are also a source of income and nutrition to billions of people around the world. They are a major part of sustainable food systems.

With the rise of population and changes in the dietary requirements of people, this has become one of the fastest growing sectors. It is also a huge factor in emitting GHG. Thus, it makes it even more important to manage it properly so that it does not create sustainability issues.

The health of animals should have to be monitored in order to make sure that they do not come in contact with diseases that can compromise food safety.

With the growth of the human population, there has also been an increase of food requirements globally. People are also more concerned whether the ingredients of their food are ethically sourced. There now exists a challenge to meet these requirements with equitable supply of raw materials.

The idea of a sustainable food supply chain is to encourage every person involved in this process, from the farmers to the sellers, to adopt environmentally sound practices. We can ensure a win-win situation for producers and consumers by shortening the span of product transfer amongst them.

Synthetic Biology can result as a very powerful and advantageous way to combat environmental changes. It can be used to build new methods and products that can provide for sustainable development.

It can help us to build ways in which we can conserve natural resources and ecosystems. Making green chemicals from agricultural waste, creating petroleum substitutes, natural like rubber alternatives, etc. are just very few of the examples in which synthetic biology can prove advantageous.

Hence, the use of genomics and synthetic biology research could really bring out ways in which we can lead up to a sustainable future.

In the 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations, the prominence of the role of heritage conservation in sustainable development was realized.

How does Heritage Conservation relate to sustainable development is an equation that most people fail to understand. It has been shown to us time and again that through conserving our age-old traditions and practices, we can also save the local communities by planning tourism activities accordingly.

It is hard to imagine a world where there are no remains whatsoever of our past and rich natural sceneries along with landmark monuments. These are also the sites which serve as a source of economic development when investments are brought in resulting in an increased number of jobs.

The idea of smart cities and smart villages is to reduce the burden on existing resources without compromising the standard of living of people residing therein.

Through the application of comprehensive integrative strategies in relation to the three dimensions of sustainable development i.e. economical, social and environmental, we can bring to life smart cities and villages which are planned by foreseeing the future requirements.

Technology is an inevitable part of our lives in the current times as well as the future. From televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners to gaming consoles, cameras, etc. everything involves technology.

If developed responsibly, technology will serve as the means of sustainability. Technologies which will sponsor innovations in order to preserve the environment are required.

Sustainable technological development is an important source in order to reduce our carbon footprint, recycling, minimizing waste emissions into the environment and many other activities.

Water is the most important source of our survival. Every other activity that we do involves the usage of water like transportation, food, leisure, etc which makes it even more necessary to conserve it and use it sustainably.

With the increasing population, there is also growing demand for potable water. This poses a major challenge in front of us as to how we can increase the efficiency of water and supply according to the requirements around the world.

There is a need to develop methods for water conservation, harvesting, uses, and recycling in order to increase water efficiency.

This is no secret that our ecosystem is depleting significantly in order to meet the growing demands. It poses in front of us a very real requirement to find a solution which can strike a balance between usage of natural resources for our development and simultaneously preserve our ecosystem.

We need to find a way wherein depleted eco systems will be restored by using local wisdom, public participation, and technology integration.

Finance is undoubtedly the most important pillar on which any business stands erect. Without finance, the business can hit substantial roadblocks which will result in disruption. Stable finance resources allow the activities to run smoothly making room for more time to work on other important aspects.

In order to make sustainable development a reality, it is important to ensure that we bring in green finance that will support the ideas related to viable and sustainable developments.

The innovations which are being brought in the sector of sustainable development can only result in success if there emerges financial support by different entities. Thus sustainable finance will make it sure that we look after the environmental and social effects of our business and investment decisions.

The depletion of our environment is directly correlated to the health of human beings all over the world. Due to ill effects of global warming and climate change, there is a significant effect on the environment which in turn affects the health of an individual.

The concept of sustainable health is to look after the fact that the health of the people is not compromised in order to achieve economic success. It has to establish an equilibrium between healthy survival and preservation of the ecosystem.

In order to reach the goal of sustainable development, there is a requirement of efforts from every individual on this planet. Government and public sectors are the main contributors who can influence each person to their part towards achieving this goal.

There is a need to form such policies that are centred around sustainable development. This ensures that in every sector will take systematic steps towards it and are held accountable as and when they act contrary to their obligations.

A special allocation of funds for policies, education, resources,etc which shall contribute towards the end goal of sustainable development shall be done.