The United Nations has created 17 sustainable development goals, also known as SDGs. These goals are set to be accomplished by 2030. According to the United Nations, the SDGS “provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.” In 2015, all participating UN countries adopted these goals with the understanding that fighting poverty goes hand in hand with education and improving health on a global scale, all while meeting goals of sustainability to protect the world’s oceans and forests. 

The UN’s SDGs are a part of Penn State Behrend’s five year sustainable strategic plan. Behrend plans to implement all 17 goals on campus. According to Dr. Sherri Mason, “what I like about the UN sustainability goals is it provides us a framework for talking about sustainability and really opening people’s minds that sustainability is more than just saving the bees and hugging trees.” 

Goal number four of the SDGs is quality education. This goal is at the forefront of Behrend because it is an educational institution. In order to add to the sustainability aspect of this goal, Behrend will be increasing the number of programs with sustainability learning outcomes. Goals one and two, which are no poverty and zero hunger, are being met at Behrend with programs such as the Lion Pantry. Behrend has also made progress on SDG seven, affordable and clean energy. This is being done by the energy audit on campus which has resulted in and will continue to result in reducing the campus’s energy consumption, and will also lower energy costs.

Behrend has also been making progress in achieving goals 10, 13, 14, and 15, reduced inequalities, climate action, life below water, and life on land. The Wintergreen Gorge restoration project will aim towards these goals. Since the Gorge is a part of the Lake Erie watershed, restoring the site will help to increase the overall quality of the water in and around Lake Erie. According to Dr. Mason, “the first phase has already been completed, that makes a one mile loop which is completely ADA accessible. At the end of this summer, we will be continuing the ADA accessibility up to trout run.” Having accessibility is a crucial part of these goals. By implementing these changes to the Gorge, anyone will be able to have access to this beautiful piece of nature so close to campus. The more people that can have access to the Gorge the better, so that people can have a better understanding and appreciation of our surrounding environment.

By striving to tie all of these goals together, Penn State Behrend will be able to come closer to accomplishing a more sustainable environment for students to live, learn, and grow in. Between making campus more accessible by having a more refined sustainable, learning atmosphere, and access to food for those who will need it. Behrend is beginning to take greater steps towards a more sustainable future.