Our Pillars in Popular Media
Sustainable Development in Books
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The Hunger Games
These books demonstrate the stark economic and social disparities between the Capitol and the districts and emphasizes the importance of addressing inequalities (Goal 10) and promoting social justice. The story prompts readers to consider the consequences of injustice and the role of institutions in perpetuating or rectifying it. The central plot revolves around a young girl fighting to save the people she loves and finds herself becoming loyal to protecting those who ask her to stand up for their ideals.
Additional Information:
Release Date: 14 September 2008
Author: Suzanne Collins
Content/Age Warning: 13+, depictions of violence.
Genre: Fiction
The Future We Choose
This book focuses on SDG 13 and warns about the preparation needed to address climate change. It highlights the positive outlook of tackling challenges the human race is going to face as a result of rapid climate change. The book describes two potential Earths, one where climate change is mitigated by 2050 and one where it is not. The contribution to the discussion only enhances the progression of education on SDG 13.
Additional Information:
Release Date: 25 February 2020
Author(s): Tom Rivett-Carnac and Christiana Figueres
Content/Age Warning: 13+, higher level vocabulary.
Genre: Documentary
A Thousand Splendid Suns
This a book that discusses the trauma associated with growing up in a conflict environment. It highlights themes present by SDG 5, gender equality, and SDG 16, peace, justice, and strong institutions. It follows the tale of a young girl growing up in Afghanistan during the years it was under Soviet and Taliban control. It addresses how her situation and life drastically shifted during that time and how she tries to maintain her own security despite the threats she faces every day. It also reveals themes around the need for security following post-conflict years in order to protect what remains in a society.
Additional Information:
Release Date: 22 May 2007
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Content/Age Warning: 13+, depictions of warfare and violence, suggestive contents, and references to domestic abuse.
Genre: Fiction
The Thousandth Floor
This is the first in a trilogy of novels that has a tie to the Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals. The primary setting of the novel takes place in a skyscraper with 1000 floors, which grew as the city of New York required more space for the growing population. It highlights the importance of remembering that in the sustainable cities and communities everyone's needs require attention, and a significant portion of character tension grows due to the ignorance of these sustainable practices.
Additional Information:
Release Date: 22 August 2016
Author: Katharine McGee
Content/Age Warning: 13+, suggestive content, language, and references to drug use.
Genre: Fiction
The Glass Arrow
This is a novel that introduces a world that reflects the danger of not fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 5. The plot revolves around women being subjected to all levels of discrimination. They operate in a subservient role to men in this fictional society. In this book, the storyline follows a so called 'wild' girl, who was captured by hunters in the forest outside of the major city. She is rapidly educated in the ways of the society, but due to her upbringing she fights against the expectations being imposed on her. She seeks to bring down the threat to women from the inside of the society.
Additional Information:
Release Date: 10 February 2015
Author: Kristen Simmons
Content/Age Warning: 13+, suggestive content, derogatory language, and depictions of violence (sexual and other).
Genre: Fiction