A Sustainable Future Is Possible
New research shows that meeting global development and conservation goals together is
indeed possible. But only if we make if we make significant changes in the ways we provide food,
water, energy and other resources. “An Attainable Global Vision for Conservation and Human
one we could face if we continue on a business-as-usual path. By addressing 10 of the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the stu dy1 emphasizes the health of the
natural environment and links to human health and well-being.
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG
s)
ADDRESSED DIRECTLY IN OUR ANALYSIS
The UN SDGs envision a world where all people are fed, healthy, employed, educated,
empowered and thriving, and where all other life persists.
1 The study was conducted by The Nature Conservancy, The University of Minnesota and 11 other institutions.
2 We recognize there are many interconnections among the SDGs. Represented here is the subset included in the modeling exercise.
Visit
nature.org/
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SDGs
OUR SUSTAINABLE PATH’S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SDG
Better matching crops to growing conditions allows
for meeting calorie demands with less water on
substantially less land
Dramatically shifting energy sources away from fossil
fuels leads to massive reduction in air pollution exposure
Shifting where crops are grown reduces the number of
and supporting freshwater ecosystems
Increasing the share of renewable energy ensures
mitigating climate change
Decoupling aspects of economic growth from
environmental impacts mitigates degradation and
sustains per capita economic projections
Carefully siting clean energy infrastructure provides
Considering optimal locations and total land area use realizes
energy production and natural habitat protection
Stanching the flow of harmful greenhouse gases limits
the global average temperature, meeting Paris Climate
Accord goals
Adopting sustainable management in all fisheries
increases yields and ends overfishing while
improving biodiversity
Better siting of crops and energy infrastructure
ensures more natural habitat and protected areas
remain intact
LINKS ACROSS SDG s
AS EXPLORED IN
THE STUDY
Recent research has revealed
that it is possible to achieve
both global development and
conservation goals at the same
time, but doing so will require
signifcant changes in the way
we produce and consume
food, water, energy, and other
resources. A study titled "An
Attainable Global Vision for
Conservation and Human
Well-Being" examines the
possibility of creating a vastly
diferent world by the year
2050 if we depart from the
usual business-as-usual path.
By addressing ten of the
United Nations' Sustainable
Development Goals, the study
underscores the importance of
protecting natural habitats
and their links to human
health and well-being. The
fndings emphasize the urgent
need for action to create a
more sustainable and
equitable world for all.