The Global Goal: Over the last 15 years, the number of childhood deaths has been cut in half. This proves that it is possible to win the fight against almost every disease. Still, we are spending an astonishing amount of money and resources on treating illnesses that are surprisingly easy to prevent. The new goal for worldwide Good Health promotes healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and modern, efficient healthcare for everyone. Source: Global Goals.org Banner Photo: Tina Currie

Canada’s Response:

For Canada, the 2030 Agenda goal 3 is: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Source: Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda. There are a number of actions, measures and many indicators that include:

  • By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

  • Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

In March 2020, the UN World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The spread of the virus has impacted the lives of millions of people around the world. Fighting the disease continues in 2022 as variants develop and new vaccines are needed to respond. Canada’s target 3.b Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases, was put to the test.



How are actions within our biosphere region contributing toward these goals?

The Howe Sound region has an abundance of clean water, clean air, access to health care services and recreation opportunities from sea to sky. But our region has seen COVID-19 infections and deaths, overdose deaths and serious injuries and death on the Sea to Sky highway.

BC Parks

Millions of people headed out to B.C.’s provincial parks this year to experience the very best that nature has to offer with more people than ever seeking the benefits to their health and well-being that nature and open spaces provide. In response, BC Parks announced investments during the next three years to expand and enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, including new campsites, trails and upgrades to facilities.  Three of the ten parks being improved are within our region. This included investments at:

  • Cypress Provincial Park: improve facilities within the park, including refurbished trails and better backcountry access

  • Garibaldi Provincial Park: develop the loop trail linking Singing Pass to Blackcomb Mountain

  • Stawamus Chief Provincial Park: improve existing trails and develop new trails, provide additional parking

Below are the UN SDG 3 targets that are relevant to our region. Click here to learn more about the targets for UN SDG 3

What more can we be doing or are we on track? We want to hear from you.

In developing a management plan for the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, we are assessing where we are in our collective vision of Life on Land in the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound region for 2030, and setting priority goals and objectives. Read more here about the Nchu’ú7mut/Unity Plan.

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