Jul 23, 2020
Sustainable Development Goals and the Space Industry
How space assets and space-generated data can impact Earth’s sustainability goals
A principle of FAAR is advocacy for sustainability on Earth and in space. Both classifications of sustainability, longevity and environmental protection, are interrelated and require the same commitment to long-term thinking grounded in resiliency.
By looking at the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in 2015, alongside activity in space, we can see they are integrated.
As with the SDGs, increased participation from international stakeholders in the space community can have and is having, a direct impact on our ability to set and achieve shared goals on Earth.
There are three broad categories that we can look at in space to understand the impact on SDGs: Satellites, Philosophy and Geopolitics, and System Design.
The below diagram highlights a number of the goals, with one to a few bullet points explaining why and how space-based activity serves those goals.
To advance this conversation
What other alignments do you see between space activity and SDGs? What concerns do you have? Please share in the comments below!
To learn more about how space is supporting SDGs on Earth, check out these resources
The ESA writes about how Space technology can help us on Earth
Webinar: SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy MIT Media Lab Space Enabled program, in partnership with the Secure World Foundation (more on the event site)
