Response Paper on UNEP’s Rank on 21 issues of 21st Century (Essay Sample)

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Response Paper on UNEP’s Rank on 21 issues of 21st Century
The work in the prompt is well written and expresses an opinion on UNEP’s rank of the 21 environmental issues for the 21st century. In particular, the work focuses on top three most important issues, and stipulates that such concise ranking is an important step to analyze where the issues are, and provide insight on how to solve them.
The author suggests that these issues are well-ranked. I agree with this stipulation. An analysis of the ranking process reveals that UNEP categorized the issues based on rigorous scientific inquiry and contribution from over 400 panelists. This process ensured that items in the rank were well-debated, unbiased and represented a global perspective in sustainable development. This ranking is equally important since it provides the framework to prioritize and solve pressing issues.
The writer places significant emphasis on current practices and issues. This work continually mentions that modern approaches should be used to solve modern problems and identify new trends in environment conservation. The author seems to suggest that a forward-looking approach that focuses on present issues is more effective to make long lasting change. This is an excellent view point that captures the essence of the rapidly changing production landscape. Some solutions that worked in the past may fail to effectively handle current issues. Strategies need to focus on contemporary solutions to new issues before they become major problems for future generations.
The author believes that creating new capabilities through training and career, as evidenced by the increasing number of environment courses and careers is an important step towards sustainability. In my opinion, this assertion adopted a narrow view and focused only on a small subset of individuals enrolled in environment courses. The author needed to adopt a wider view and analyze how education institutions may transform their teaching methods and practices to include sustainability needs. Sustainability should be reflected across all courses in an effort to attain a green economy. This way, education institutions will create a workforce that is environmentally aware and more likely to include sustainability practices in various niches of work. Clearly, this approach has a wider impact compared to the narrow focus on environmental studies and careers.
The work in the prompt disagrees with the third ranking that focused on food safety and security, and opted for a more social strategy to transform behavior through policy. I admit that this approach may transform destructive habits of consumption as it shifts individuals towards a norm of greener thinking. However, I disagree with the writer on this ranking and believe that foo