41 SDG 14 – Life Below Water – Team 41

Team Reflection

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, known as “Life Below Water,” emphasizes the urgent need to protect and responsibly utilize the oceans, seas, and marine resources in order to achieve sustainable development. As a team committed to comprehending and supporting sustainability, we undertook a thoughtful exploration utilizing the “What, Then What, Now What” methodology to examine the implications and difficulties of SDG 14, as well as our role in advancing its objectives. This article consolidates our analysis, reflections, and learning, representing our combined voice and joint dedication to advocating for the well-being of our seas.

What: Comprehension Sustainable Development Goal 14.
The inclusion of SDG 14 serves as a monument to the worldwide acknowledgment of the oceans’ crucial function in supporting life on our planet. Encompassing more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, oceans play a crucial role in our ecosystem by fostering biodiversity, regulating temperature, and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of individuals. The objective includes specific targets focused on decreasing marine pollution, safeguarding marine, and coastal ecosystems, minimizing ocean acidification, regulating fishing methods, preserving coastal and marine regions, and maximizing the economic advantages for small island developing states and least developed countries through sustainable marine resources. We had a combination of optimism and apprehension in response to SDG 14. We were captivated by the ambitious vision it embodies, yet daunted by the enormity of the difficulties it tackles. The narratives of ingenuity and perseverance, ranging from the development of Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products to the creation of Making Corral Restoration Fun or Sustainable Tourism Koralia, emphasized the capacity for beneficial transformation. However, they also emphasized the pressing requirement for coordinated worldwide efforts.

Connecting SDG 14 to Our Academic and Personal Perspectives.
Our examination of SDG 14 led us to establish links with our scholarly understanding, namely with themes such as sustainability concerns, the triple bottom line, and accountability. This objective strengthened our comprehension of the interrelation between environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Furthermore, it emphasized the deficiencies in our understanding, particularly in relation to the difficulties encountered by nations in effectively overseeing their maritime resources in a sustainable manner. The narratives of enterprises and societies engaging in innovative practices to safeguard the well-being of our oceans astonished us, confronted our preconceived notions, and, in several instances, surpassed our anticipations. They demonstrated the efficacy and reverence of amalgamating conventional wisdom with contemporary scientific methods to discover solutions that are both efficient and considerate to indigenous cultures and environments. These anecdotes also sparked thoughtful contemplation on the role of companies in environmental conservation and the significance of integrating sustainability into the fundamental structure of business models.

Now What: Contemplating Future Actions and Consequences.
Upon contemplation of our exploration of SDG 14, we acknowledge the significant influence that a more comprehensive comprehension of these matters may exert on our next endeavors, both as a group and as individuals. As aspiring entrepreneurs, the knowledge acquired from this investigation has emphasized the significance of sustainability as a fundamental aspect of innovation and company strategy. There is a distinct correlation between this exercise and our intended approach to entrepreneurship, which prioritizes sustainable activities that uphold and save the natural environment for future generations.

Then What: Connecting SDG 14 to Our Academic and Personal Perspectives
Our team’s involvement in SDG 14 has been a really rewarding experience, providing great insights into the crucial significance of the oceans in our planet and the shared obligation we have in preserving them. We have gained an understanding of the significance of incorporating sustainability as a fundamental concept in the core operations of a firm. This experience has emphasized the necessity for inventive solutions that harmonize economic expansion with environmental conservation and social fairness. Our collaboration on SDG 14 has shed light on the many obstacles and possibilities that different areas have in their efforts to accomplish this objective, when seen from a cross-cultural standpoint. It has enhanced our comprehension and admiration of the worldwide scope of sustainability difficulties, instructing us the need of working together and exchanging knowledge across cultural barriers. The curriculum we completed enhanced our experience by equipping us with a theoretical framework and fostering our critical thinking abilities, which we utilized during our analysis and reflections. Regarding cooperation, we implemented a cooperative strategy by assigning responsibilities according to everyone’s talents and interests, while also ensuring that all opinions were acknowledged and appreciated. The approach encountered difficulties, namely in synchronizing activities across many time zones and handling divergent perspectives, as well as managing team members as responsibility is never easy to handle. We had a disagreement because of a late submission of a paper. Nevertheless, by engaging in transparent communication and demonstrating mutual respect, we successfully managed these obstacles and ultimately developed a more robust and unified team dynamic.

Conclusion,
When considering SDG 14, “Life Below Water,” our team has undertaken a transformative journey that went beyond academic knowledge, deeply resonating with our fundamental principles and desires for a sustainable future. This project has not only enhanced our comprehension of the pressing issues confronting our seas, but also motivated us to become champions for transformation, incorporating the ideals of sustainability into our future pursuits. As we progress, we bring along the knowledge gained, the motivation derived from tales of ingenuity and perseverance, and a reinvigorated dedication to fostering a sustainable future for our world.

Individual Reflections

Jaime Lucaya

Participating in this virtual team activity was a journey marked by learning and adaptation, especially in navigating cross-cultural dynamics, communication challenges, and the complexities of working across multiple time zones. The diversity within our team, while initially challenging, became a source of strength. It was enriching to our collective creativity and problem-solving capabilities. I made an effort to approach these differences with openness and adaptability, learning to appreciate and celebrate the varied backgrounds of my team members.

Communication posed its own set of challenges, necessitating extra care to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings in the virtual meetings. We relied on google meets for real-time discussions, emphasizing the importance of patience and active listening. Meanwhile, coordinating across different time zones required sacrifices and flexibility, pushing us to find compromise and balance personal convenience with team needs.

Reflecting on this experience, I feel a sense of pride in our achievements and the mutual respect we cultivated. It was a practical lesson in the value of clear communication, cultural sensitivity, and the importance of adaptability in a global team environment.

Breanna Malcolmson

Working on the COIL group project, focusing on SDG 14, “Life Below Water,” was an enriching experience that broadened my perspective on the concept of corporate social responsibility and the role it plays in organization development. Collaborating with students from Kenyatta University and Universidad de Navarra introduced me to diverse viewpoints and approaches to tackling global challenges.

One of the most significant challenges we faced was organizing meetings across different time zones. With team members spread across various regions, finding a suitable time for everyone proved to be quite a task. However, through effective communication and flexibility, we managed to schedule regular meetings that accommodated the majority of the group’s availability. It required patience and understanding but ultimately strengthened our teamwork skills. Despite the logistical challenges, our group collaborated effectively on assignments. Each member brought a unique set of skills and knowledge to the table, which enriched our discussions and problem-solving processes. We leveraged technology to stay connected, utilizing Google Meets video conferencing, shared Google Docs and WhatsApp messaging to brainstorm ideas and delegate tasks efficiently.

Moreover, working on SDG 14 provided us with a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable ocean management. Through research and discussion, we explored various initiatives and solutions aimed at addressing issues such as marine pollution, and habitat destruction.
Overall, the COIL group project was an invaluable learning experience that extended beyond the confines of traditional classroom learning. It taught me the importance of collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability in today’s interconnected world. By working alongside students from different backgrounds and regions, I gained a broader perspective on global issues and the role of international cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals.