2021 — UHI Perth Blog

Our guest blogger - Shemila Ali, Communications and Marketing Assistant, writes:

2021. The year all events will (hopefully) happen - when it didn’t in 2020. The United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, and the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.

Let’s break it down a bit. 2021 is the year of choices. We all know that our choices, whether big or small, have an impact. From choosing the healthier option; shopping locally and using re-usable fruit/vegetable bags; questioning if we really need the latest outfit from our favourite designers; asking our elderly neighbour how they’re coping; being friendly and open minded about people who are different from you, and come from different places; deciding how much we really need to use our cars; and ultimately, what we want our future to look like. A lot to think about, isn’t it?

With regards to the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, it was said: “The proposal recognises the need to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect for all human rights. And the ongoing need to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in diversifying production and exports, including in new sustainable growth areas, including creative industries.” This is an exciting proposal that gives us the opportunity to think creatively about our future. There are many examples of people, young and old, coming up with innovative products that are sustainable and better for the environment.

If you have seen David Attenborough’s ‘Life on Our Planet’ testimony on Netflix, you will know our current way of life is just not sustainable. There is too much temptation to buy things we don’t really need. Convenience is also something we are looking for when living our very busy lives, and we essentially forget to think and act responsibly. It’s time to pause and question ‘What impact will this have?’. If you are anything like me, you don’t wish to leave a negative legacy for future generations. However, making any kind of change to our current way of living can be quite daunting.

Let’s find a way to make it do-able. Let’s make the year 2021, a year of change - to better ourselves, our way of life, and our planet. Make up your mind to change just one small thing today - just one. Then explore what options are available to you - or create your own, and then go for it! Quite often making any kind of change takes courage and effort. But it’s up to us to push through any barriers or fears holding us back, and have the courage to make the decision and take action.

Make up your mind to change one small thing today, and see where it takes you. When you start feeling comfortable with that, then make another small change and keep going. We all have it in us to make a real impact. 2021, a year we make responsible choices and look back on positively.