Did you know that the Green Belt Movement started with only one tree?

That's all it took Wangari Maathai to start this tree planting movement. People joined her, planting more trees, and before long, the Green Belt Movement was born. Today, that small act has led to over 51 million trees being planted worldwide.

That’s how sustainability works. Your small actions can inspire others to do the same. One small step from you can spark a wave of change, and before you know it, you’re part of something bigger. It’s like setting off a ripple in the water—what you do matters, and it spreads.

You don’t need to be a celebrity or have all the answers — just start. One step, one choice, one action at a time. Who knows? Your community's move toward sustainability could start the next big movement. So make that move, and watch it grow!

Sustainability is more than just protecting nature — it’s creating a future where communities grow without depleting the resources future generations will need. It’s built on three pillars:

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The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global goals designed by the United Nations to address major challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. Here’s a breakdown of how the SDGs connect to each pillar:

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Looking for ways to spread the word?

Consider these options:

• Organize a sustainability challenge in your community

• Collaborate with a local school for an awareness session

• Create a short video to share on social media

Sustainability isn’t always a priority for everyone — people tend to stick to familiar routines without questioning them. But all it takes is one person to step outside the norm, and others start to follow. The same goes for sustainability — when people don’t see a direct connection to their lives, it’s easy to keep doing things the way they always have.

Without purpose, it’s hard to stay engaged with sustainability. But when it connects to something you care about, even the tiniest tasks are filled with motivation.

To make it fun and engaging — host a "Purpose Challenge" on social media or at a local event. Encourage people to share what sustainability issue matters most to them and how they connect it to an SDG — whether it’s protecting nature (SDG 15), ending poverty (SDG 1), or fighting climate change (SDG 13).

You can even create a hashtag to track the conversation, or set up a "Purpose Wall" where people write down their goals and see how others are getting involved!

Sustainability isn't limited to big organizations and global movements. It focuses on the little things we do every day. Here are some practical actions that directly contribute to the SDGs:

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Lead by example and participate in global movements like:

• UNEP's Education and Environment Initiative— Supports environmental education and increases sustainability awareness.

• Youth for Climate (YfC) — Encourages youth-led climate action and advocacy.

• The Climate Reality Project— Provides training for young leaders to educate and inspire communities about climate change.

• Green Jobs for Youth — Encourages young people to explore sustainable careers that support environmental goals.

• United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) — Helps young people be heard in global decisions, standing up for their rights and inclusion.

• One Young World Summit— Brings together young leaders from around the world to find solutions to social, environmental, and economic challenges.

You can attend virtual events to learn more, connect with others, and share this knowledge and inspiration with your local community to inspire them to act.

Track your progress and share your efforts on social media to highlight local achievements and inspire others. The more you share, the more you spark action in your community.

The #TrashTag Challenge started with one person posting before-and-after cleanup photos. It quickly went viral, inspiring millions worldwide to join in and clean up their communities!

How can members of your community take part in sharing their progress?

Balkees is launching a "One Small Change" Challenge to get her community excited about sustainability. She’s planning to use social media to spread the word and inspire others to reduce waste, save energy, choose eco-friendly transport, use reusable products, conserve water, or support sustainable brands.

What’s the best way for Balkees to get more people involved?

A. Create a catchy hashtag and encourage people to share their actions online.

B. Ask people to make a donation to an environmental cause before participating.

C. Post a story about her own personal sustainability journey without asking others to take action.

D. Share a quiz about sustainability with a reward for the highest scorer.

It’s not just about the planet, it’s about people, families, and the future we’re leaving behind. The world won’t fix itself — do your part!