Agenda 2030: A Leap Toward Utopia or a Stumble into Totalitarianism?

Have you heard of the 2030 Agenda? Despite the United Nations being at the midway point in implementation, it has flown under the radar perhaps by design. Together we will dive-in and explore this initiative. If fully implemented it is a game-changing global plan known as Agenda 2030. 

Imagine a world where poverty is eradicated, the environment thrives, education is top-notch, and fairness rules the day. Are you skeptical? You are not alone. Agenda 2030, with its lofty goals and far-reaching vision, is receiving its fair share of skepticism and opposition from critics around the world.

To some, it sounds like a utopian daydream, others a gateway into the New World Order. Regardless, think of it as a superhero blueprint for countries with powerful goals, set by the United Nations, that need to be accomplished by the year 2030. From fighting climate change to promoting gender equality, it is billed as our ticket to building a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. 

The official name of Agenda 2030 is "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." However, it is commonly referred to using various nicknames such as "Agenda 2030," "Sustainable Development," "SDGs" (which stands for Sustainable Development Goals), and even "15-minute cities" or “Smart Cities” (which refers to a specific concept within the broader agenda that we will detail later).

The United Nations will convene the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)  Summit in September 2023 at its headquarters in New York. Frankly, the Summit is an attempt to refocus, recharge and reenergize the Herculean aspirations of SDG. World leaders have expressed a commitment to the SDGs but so far it is just hopes and dreams. At the halfway mark, many seem to think it is at risk of failure. 

Mission (Im)Possible: In a Nutshell the Unfolding Story of the SDGs

The 17 SDGs are the ambitious brainchild of the United Nations. They came to fruition by a UNGA resolution in 2015 but have been decades in the making. The seventeen interwoven principles are billed as the blueprint to collectively heal our world. The utopian Global Goals focus on a shared worldwide objective of bringing peace and prosperity to the planet. At its core is sustainability and a realization that the world is interconnected. Most targets are to be achieved by 2030 and while all the objectives are “in progress” - by any metric, the successful implementation was stalled largely by the Covid-19 pandemic. For critics of Agenda 2030, it is ironic that the pandemic is to blame for the Agenda’s plausible failure.

You may be wondering who is keeping track of this world-wide project. Monitoring the lofty aspirations quickly became a priority so in 2018 an online tracker was launched.  Embedded within the United Nations' 17 SDGs – is a multitude of sub-goals meticulously designed to provide countries with essential guidance, to steer them towards the achievement of these ambitious worldwide aspirations. 

Is the United Nations and the World Economic Forum teaming up in an attempt to "save the world," or is it just an alliance of convenience with questionable results?

A common misconception is that the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the United Nations are interchangeable or part of the same organization.  While they may collaborate on certain initiatives and share common goals, they are separate entities with distinct roles and structures. The WEF is a private organization that hosts influential leaders to discuss global issues and foster collaboration. Whereas, the United Nations is an intergovernmental organization composed of member states. Generally speaking, the WEF co-signs the UN’s global goals and broad mandate of world peace and sustainable development worldwide. Their union surrounding Agenda 30 is the ammunition that fuels conspiracies because WEF has been politicized in recent years. The 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos faced substantial criticism due to a growing perception of its attendees as a detached global elite, formulating policies out of sync with the broader public's concerns.

Dissecting the Controversial Link Between 15-Minute Cities and Agenda 2030

The concept of 15-minute cities emerged from the work product of various urban planners and thinkers in the field of urban development. While it's challenging to pinpoint an exact year when the concept was first developed, it gained increased attention and popularity in the 21st century as urban planners and researchers began exploring innovative approaches to create more sustainable and livable cities.

Urban planning experts like Carlos Moreno, a French-Colombian academic, have played a significant role in promoting and advocating for the concept of 15-minute cities. However, it is important to note that the idea of creating neighborhoods where residents can access their daily needs within a short distance has been a fundamental principle in urban planning for many years. The specific term "15-minute cities" and the focus on walkability and proximity to amenities have gained traction in recent years as cities worldwide seek to address issues such as congestion, sustainability, and quality of life.

Therefore, while the concept of 15-minute cities has evolved over time, it represents a culmination of ideas and efforts from various urban planners, thinkers, and researchers seeking to create more sustainable and people-centric urban environments. 

The goals of 15-minute cities revolve around creating more sustainable, livable, and people-centric urban environments. 

Some key goals include:

Accessibility: The primary goal is to ensure that essential services, amenities, and facilities are easily accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from residents’ homes. This includes necessities such as grocery stores, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, cultural centers, and employment opportunities.

Walkability and Adequate Transportation: Encouraging walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation is a key objective. By designing neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, bike lanes, and well-connected pathways, the key is to reduce reliance on cars and promote physical activity.

Integrating Mobility: Fostering sustainable modes of transportation is another goal. This includes improving public transportation systems, enhancing connectivity between neighborhoods, and promoting electric vehicles.

Community Engagement: 15-minute cities aim to strengthen the sense of community and social cohesion by creating neighborhoods where residents can easily connect, interact, and engage with each other. The goal is to foster vibrant and inclusive communities.

Environmental Sustainability: Reducing car dependency and promoting local amenities contribute to environmental sustainability. By minimizing the need for long commutes, 15-minute cities can help reduce traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental impact.

The dream of a utopian society and micro cities certainly predates Agenda 2030.  However, at the outset it seemed clear that Agenda 2030 would have a natural link to 15-minute cities, after Covid-19 there was a severe backlash against the urban planning theory.  The backlash was so severe that Team 2030 quickly sought to distance themselves from 15-minute cities.  Although the idea of 15-minute cities is in line with the goals of sustainable development in Agenda 2030, the official UN materials shy away from explicitly using the term "15-minute city."   During the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns confined people to their homes, providing a unique perspective on restricted movement and limited freedoms.  After a glimpse of freedom being restricted, there is a vocal section who vehemently reject 15-minute cities, smart cities or Agenda 2030. Perhaps, there is no louder voice sounding the alarm on the potential dangers of 15-minute cities and Agenda 2030 than Jordan Peterson.

In Peterson’s Youtube video, he declares:  "I WARNED YOU, 15-Minute Smart Cities Are Here!”

For Peterson, smart cities means lockdowns, 24/7 surveillance and total Government Control but his critics dismiss him as a “conspiracy theorist.”

Political Affiliation and Worldview Shape the Perception of Whether Agenda 2030 is a Superhero Blueprint or New World Order Gateway

As the clock ticks towards 2030, the battle rages on to shape the narrative surrounding smart cities and sustainable goals. Amidst lofty goals and skepticism, only time will reveal the true consequences of this global initiative. Brace yourself, for intense scrutiny as the UN reboots its fledgling global project. Remember SDGs are a wide range of global challenges, and each goal can be explored in detail, considering its specific benefits and drawbacks. In other words, we have only scratched the surface. 

Critics will continue to argue that the agenda, set by the United Nations, hides a more ominous mission. Whispers of New World Order and a surrender of individual liberties will continue to spark flames as proponents ban and dismiss critics as dangerous. As the halfway point in implementation approaches, doubts loom large, amplified by the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is ironic, that a global crisis that could have united humanity threatens to derail a plan -proclaimed to rescue our world. Critics, scared by the restrictions of Covid-19 pandemic, fear that 15-minute cities, smart cities, and Agenda 2030 is paving the way for more lockdowns, 24/7 surveillance, and oppressive government control. Buckle up, for the future of humanity is being shaped on a global scale.