While life was easier for many of us before COVID-19, below the surface “normal” was far from perfect. Often out of sight and out of mind, “normal” was a time of inequality with food banks getting ever busier across the country, of rising mental ill health, of loneliness, of social and political divisions, and of environmental and climate crises, and of economic instability. These problems are still there and getting worse, pandemic or no pandemic.

For many of us in East Lothian, life is pretty good at the moment, for others it's a struggle or worse. But we all know more difficult times are coming that will affect us all one way or another, including economic turmoil due to COVID-19, rising social inequality and insecurity, and of course the climate crisis.

We want to play our part in tackling these issues, looking beyond our own families and communities, to make sure we respect the wellbeing of all people, and the health of the whole planet.

True prosperity requires…

A good life doesn't come from more money and more stuff – despite what some advertisers and some politicians would have us believe. Beyond a certain level of material resources and financial reserves, research has shown us time and again, that what really matters is family and friends, a community where we feel we belong and that we matter, meaningful work and secutiy, good health and a good environment.

Researchers at the Stockholm Resilience Centre have arranged the SDGs to show how our true prosperity depends not just on the economy, but also on society and the planet.

a fair and vibrant economy…

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We need a fair and vibrant economy based on Reduced Inequalities (10), Decent Work (SDG8), Responsible Consumption & Production (12) and Sustainable Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure (9).

in a society based on dignity and justice…

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We can only have a fair and vibrant economy, with a society based on dignity and justice. A society that has No Poverty (1), Zero Hunger (2), Good Health & Wellbeing (3) and Gender Equality (5). A society that provides Quality Education (4), Affordable & Clean Energy (7) in Sustainable Cities and Communities (11) with Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions (16).

on a healthy living planet…

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All this rests on a healthy living planet which provides Clean Water & Sanitation (6), where Life on Land (15) and Life Below Water (14) is flourishing. This requires Climate Action (13).

To achieve this, we must work locally and globally, in Partnership for the Goals (17) – exactly what we are doing through the What If Network.

Thriving locally and globally

The Sustainable Development Goals set out what we must aim towards. What would an economy that helped deliver them actually be like?