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B E Y O N D T O M O R R O WYOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROWEVERY CHOICE LEAVES A FOOTPRINT EVERY FOOTPRINT SHAPES OURF U T U R EF E A T U R I N GA R T I C L E S7 ISSUE 01 SEPTEMBER 2026 VOLUME 01
C O N T E N T S 01 EDITOR’S NOTES 02 ARTICAL 1 : A PLANET PUSHED TO ITS LIMITS 03 ARTICLE 2 : THE WASTE WE CANNOT SEE 04 ARTICLE 3 : BUY, WEAR, DISCARD 05 ARTICLE 4 : ONE BILLION MEALS 06 ARTICLE 5 : CITIES AT A CROSSROAD 07 ARTICLE 6 : PROGRESSIVE TRANSPORT 08 ARTICLE 7 : BEYOND THE SMART CITY 09 BIBLIOGRAPHY i
“I remember being a teenager, carelessly throwing away takeaway containers which made me wonder where they end up. That small consideration made me realise how easily we overlook our daily choices which lead to surprising changes to our world. Perhaps sustainable living begins by simply asking a question: are we really throwing away items or moving the issue somewhere else?” Bhaanu NagarajanBhaanu NagarajanBhaanu Nagarajan “Dear potential buyers, fashion changes quickly, but its environmental impact lasts. By looking beyond price tags, buying less, reusing clothes, and choosing durable products, we can make small changes that create a more sustainable future.”KaviraajKaviraajKaviraaj “I once cleared leftovers straight into the bin, realizing how easily we disconnect from our food. Every tossed meal wastes the farmer’s hard work, water, and energy. Are we actually consuming what we buy, or just treating our kitchens as a brief stop before the landfill?.“KovarshiniKovarshiniKovarshini “The cities of tomorrow start with the choices we make today. Explore how growth, climate resilience, and people centred development can shape a better urban future for all of us.“ “I could recall when Malaysia’s roads were quieter, with people cycling and walking freely. Today, hours are lost in traffic. But how can we build cities where people, not congestion, come first?” A Message From The WritersSharanessh MohanSharanessh MohanSharanessh Mohan “I once imagined a future where technology and development would make life better for everyone. But as the world keeps growing, I started wondering what we are leaving behind. Climate change, pollution, and the loss of natural resources show that progress comes with a cost. Can we really call it progress if our planet pays the price?”Amareet KaurAmareet KaurAmareet KaurPaarthivPaarthivPaarthivKarthigeyanKarthigeyanKarthigeyan “I once imagined future cities as places powered by technology. But I’ve learned that true urban development goes beyond innovation. It means creating sustainable, accessible cities where people can truly thrive. 1 Project LeaderProject LeaderProject Leader Design LeaderDesign LeaderDesign Leader Rubric AdvisorRubric AdvisorRubric AdvisorInteractive Tool PlannerInteractive Tool PlannerInteractive Tool Planner Research CoordinatorResearch CoordinatorResearch CoordinatorChief Article EditorChief Article EditorChief Article EditorContent StrategistContent StrategistContent Strategist
Climate change is only part of the challenge. Modern economies rely on extracting enormous amounts of natural resources to build homes, vehicles, electronics, clothing, and everyday goods. UNEP notes that global resource extraction has tripled in the past fifty years, and without major changes, it could rise another 60% by 2060. Development improves lives, but a model built on endless consumption cannot last. PROGRESS AND ITS COSTSWish to learn more? Click here Human-development has improved lives, yet it has also pushed Earth’s system close to breaking point. The real issue is not whether the planet is under strain, but how longer it can withstand it.A PLANET UNDER PRESSURE Climate change is the most urgent signal of these limits. UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024 warns that emissions must fall by 42% by 2030 and 57 % by 2035, compared with 2019 levels, to keep warming below 1.5C. Current policies, however are already visible heatwaves, floods, droughts, and growing threats to human wellbeing and hard- won development gains THE CLIMATE WARNING A PLANET PUSHED TO ITS LIMITSModern progress has lifted living standards across the globe, but it has also come with a steep environment cost. Industrial expansions and technological growth have driven up greenhouse this as a “triple planetary crisis” climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. This challenge we face today is not whether development should continue, but how it can continue without exhausting the very systems the sustain life. The planet does not ask humanity to stop moving forward it asks us to move forward differently. Climate change, resources depletion, and pollution are inseparable from how societies consume and produce. Recognising this connection is the first step, The next is confronting one of the most visible consequences of modern lifestyles, the waste behind us. As UNEP's Global Resources Outlook 2024 remind us that, " The question is no longer whether transformation is necessary, but how to make it happen. “The planet does not ask for humanity to stop moving forward it ask us to move forward differently.” The task is not to halt development but to redefine it. Renewable energy, resource- efficient production, circular economies, and stronger climate policies can allow prosperity without destroying the environment. True sustainability begins when progress is measures nothing not only by what we produce, but by what we protect while producing it.A DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF PROGRESSPROGRESS WITH LIMITS 23 by Amareet CitationsPlay to hear the article
WASTE IS ALSO A RESOURCE PROBLEM What leads to pollution? Pollution is highly influenced and determined by the amount of material consumed by the modern society daily. It is estimated by The World Bank that about 2 billion tonnes of solid waste are generated globally every year. Shockingly, at least 30% of it is not managed or handled in an environmentally friendly method. As said by experts, by the year 2050, the global waste generation could potentially reach 3.4 billion tonnes if no effective resolution or action is taken which should be a serious concern and matter to curb. This unfolds a hidden truth which is the main weakness in the traditional economic model where resources are extracted, transformed into products, used briefly and discarded without ever giving the opportunity to the valuable and high potential products to be recovered and reused. FROM THROWAWAY TO CIRCULAR A circular economy imposes a different approach towards solving world pollution. What does it mean? For instance, instead of treating products (mainly food packaging) as disposable, it targets to keep materials in use for as long as possible. This can be done via repairing, reusing, recycling or even designing it into better products. Governments and businesses should also play their important role in this by reducing unnecessary or excessive packaging and instead create products specifically designed to last long and stay durable for the public to use. Apart from large organisations or groups, consumer’s responsibility do also matter significantly. However, individual efforts only work best when sustainable alternatives are easily accessible, convenient and mainly affordable. THE PROBLEM AFTER THE BIN Many believe wastes are highly processed till they vanish away but that is not the case. In reality, waste does not really disappear. Instead, it simply moves elsewhere such as to landfills, waterways, incinerators and ecosystems. Hence, the obstacle here is not just to produce less waste, but to question further on why modern society produces so much waste in the first place. This leads to another concern : what happens when consumption itself becomes a lifestyle? THE AFTERLIFE OF EVERYDAY THINGS A plastic water bottle, something widely used across the globe every day. A single use water bottle may come in handy in the quench of thirst, but becomes a nuisance and urges us humans to throw it away as soon as it is empty. A plastic bottle can disappear from our hands into a bin within seconds, but its environmental afterlife journey can continue for decades or sometimes even longer. What drives the modern lifestyle? It is convenience. From plastic utensils to plastic plates, boxes and cups, the global food chain depends on these food packages as they are cheap, lightweight and easily disposable, therefore saving plenty of time. Yet the same convenience do also create issues such as pollution which does not disappear when the bin is emptied. PLASTIC WITHOUT AN EXIT According to statistics and research done by UNEP, plastic production has expanded drastically , reaching 431 million tonnes in the year 2019. Due to a small portion of it (estimated 19 – 23 million tonnes of plastic waste) entering aquatic ecosystems annually, rivers, seas and coastal environments are living and surviving under threat. Most plastic products are engineered and designed for short term use. However, they do not break down quickly after disposal, which is why plastic pollution is particularly difficult to solve. Instead, large items gradually fragment into smaller particles and spread through ecosystems, slowly and silently polluting the environment.W A S T E CHALLENGESCHALLENGESWE FACETHE WASTE WE CANNOT SEEby Sharanessh 4 5Watch this to learn more on global waste managementCitations
BUY, WEAR, DISCARD: THE HIDDEN COST OF FAST FASHIONTHE PSYCHOLOGY OF “MORE”Modern consumption is no longer only because of essentiality. The thought of constantly needing something is created by social media influence, advertisements, promotions and attractive developments. The creates a common cycle: buy, wear, replace and repeat. This cycle worsens the environmental pressure especially when manufactures use water and collect raw-materials to make more of their products. In every shop there is a small price tag on each clothing, but the environmental cost of it is larger.WHEN FASHION MOVES TOO FASTThe impact on our environment caused by the clothing and textile industry is substantial. Statistics prove that textiles are in account for an estimation of 2-8% of global greenhouse- gas emissions and the usage of water it comes to offering jobs to the public and contributing in cultural traditions. However, the concerning impact is that many businesses are unnecessarily producing mass amount of cheap clothing, indirectly forcing people to discard them in a short period of time. UNEP have also pointed out the importance of the role in producing products according to the customer’s desire which supports many companies to continue this trend of mass-producing products.A TREND TODAY, WASTE TOMORROWIn just a few minutes, we place orders for our desired piece of clothing through online platforms, but do we ever think about the huge environmental impact of creating and discarding the materials? Continuous evolvement of fashion has made clothing cheaper, quicker and easier to obtain. Social media users being highly influenced by fashion trends lead to constant innovation, making online purchases even quicker than physical shopping. However, the issue is that the consequences in fast fashion is being misunderstood as less of a permanent possession and more of a short-term possession.CAN FASHION BECOME CIRCULAR?Fashion systems and lifestyles which are longer-lasting would be giving more importance and priorities in reusing garments, repairing torn clothes and recycling textile waste. Customers can support this by purchasing lesser products, preferring eco-friendly clothes and increasing the lifespan of their clothes. Nevertheless, customers should not always be held for accountability. Alternatives to the manufacturing systems should be reinvented by business, meanwhile governments can raise stronger standards and encourage better waste management.CHANGING WHAT “NEW” MEANSChanges have always defined fashion. Potentially, ethnic can be the next evolution. People must understand and be convinced that modern is not always from the thought of endlessly purchasing something latest. Neglecting fashion does not define ethical consumption but more of increasing the lifespan of their fashion. The exact concept is also implemented outside the scoop of clothing. Food also represents another extraordinary evidence of how easily it can yield to massive food waste This leads to another concern “What if you already wore or own a pair of clothing which is viable?” by Bhaanu 6 7QUIZ TIME!! The price tag tells you what you pay, but does it reveal what the planet pays? Play to find out. TRUE COST OF YOUR CLOTHESClick here to test your knowledge Citations
With just few taps, foods can arrive straightly to our doorsteps, but what happens to the food that we leave behind? In today’s fast-paced world, convenience has become a major part part of the way we consume food. From ordering more foods than we need and buying large quantities of foods merely because they’re on sale, the convenience we enjoy can often contribute to the growing problem of waste. Minor adjustments can lead to far reaching consequences. Better meal planning, choosing appropriate portion sizes, proper food storage, and handling out the remaining foods to needy individuals can prevent major losses. At the same time, steps can be taken by the governments and companies to fights food waste more efficiently as well through better food waste tracking and creation of initiatives aimed at waste prevention rather than waste disposal.ONE BILLION MEALS,NEVER EATEN THE WASTE BEHIND THE MEAL Every day, billions of meals are prepared, but how many actually end up in human stomachs? Millions of meals every day actually end up in trash bins than plates. This mirrors what generally happens worldwide. Researchers have shown that in 2022, the world had wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food, which is about 20% of overall consumables available for us humans. Turns out, household waste is actually the largest category on the list, representing nearly 60% of waste in that year. We always gaze at the delicious meals on our table every day, but how often do we think about what happens to the leftovers that never gets consumed fully? Behind every meal lies a story of wasted food, water, energy, and resources. It was predicted that food loss and waste accountable for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that but the disappointing waste also takes up agricultural land and fresh water that could have been used to support food production elsewhere. A small amount of leftovers may seem like it is not a big deal but when almost every household act the same way, it becomes a major problem major problem almost impossible to solve. A large portion of this waste ends up in rubbish bins rather than being consumed. In 2022, UNEP reported that 783 million people suffered from hunger. This highlights the diabolical difference between food being wasted and people lacking access to it. CONVENIENCE CHANGES BEHAVIOURby Kovarshini FROM INDIVIDUAL HABITS TO A SYSTEMIC CHANGE The most effective approach includes a combination of acts of individuals and steps taken at instituional levels. Consumers can make smarter purchasing decisions and use their leftovers creatively while dining establishments, sellers, and local authorities can make use of mopnitoring, donating systems and strategies to reduce food waste. According to UNEP, closer collaboration between the public and private sectors can play a crucial role in reducing food waste. THE VALUE OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE Sustainability does niot always require purchasing things of better quality. Sometimes, it is merely about using what we have more wisely and responsibly. Food waste illustrates that sustainability does not only refer to what society develops but also what people are willing to value, consume, and discard. Our cities provide that clear example of this connection, as there are a huge number of people making buying and using decisions every day. 8 9CitationsChek out this quick trivia
DESIGNING FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE Preparing cities for both present and future conditions is known as sustainable urban development. Carefully planning buildings can help cities manage heat and heavy rainfall by having green spaces, trees, permeable surfaces and better drainage systems. Public spaces are also sufficient for human well-being that we tend to overlook most of the time. UN-Habitat notes that well designed green and open spaces can support physical activity, mental state of and human being, social interactions, ecological sustainability and enhance urban life quality. A CITY FOR PEOPLE, NOT JUST BUILDINGS Skyscrapers or technological sophistication should not be the only factor focused on and judged by sustainable cities. They should be measured by affordability, accessibility, safety, clean air , public spaces and resilience. The difference requires planners to think outside the box of construction itself. A perfect city may provide residents to reach essential services actively while not forcing on natural systems. Click to see more on urban development Click here for another trivia challenge !! THE COST OF AUTOMOBILE ADVANCEMENT Although automobiles are convenient for daily use, cities that are built primarily around automobile usage require vast amounts of space and land to build more roads and parking zones. This heavily contributes to air pollution and gives the city a very "stuffy" feeling. The World Health Organization even stated that almost the entire world population (99%) breathes polluted air. This urgent matter is surprisingly related to the excessive use of automobiles worldwide. A DIFFERENT MEANING FOR " DEVELOPMENT" A developed city shouldn't just be making automobiles go faster; it should instead make people go faster. When transportation services are based around efficiency and convenience, the streets can become more than just a traffic hub, it can become a space for the public to live their lives without any inconvenience. URBAN DEVELOPMENT THE CITY OF TOMORROW IS BEING BUILD TODAY Every new house, road and railroad are more than just simple infrastructures. It shows what kind of a we are shaping and generating for a city. One of the most defining changes of a modern society is urbanization. The United Nation projects that roughly 68% of the world’s population could end up living in an urban area by 2050, with approximately 2.5 billion more people living in cities compared to 2018. This drastic growth is mostly expected in Asia and Africa. THE CHOICE IS OURS Urban growth is not automatically unsustainable. How the impact on the designed is the most Important. As cities grow rapidly, every transportation, residents and public space becomes a chance to improve on both expects which is human well-being and in environmental performance. Even now one of the largest opportunities might be much simpler than a futuristic skyscraper. GROWTH CREATES OPPORTUNITY Cities bring people together through jobs, education, healthcare and public services. Urban intensification can also improve efficiency of public transit and shared infrastructure, Nevertheless, serious problems continue to rise from poorly planned growth. The UN-Habitat warns that some cities are increasingly exposed to mass flooding, extreme heat, storms and other climate related hazard, this risk can lead to disproportionately on poorer communities with less resources to adapt. DISTINGUISH & DETERMINE A city can easily be distinguished by how its people travel daily. Take Chennai, India for example, the auto rickshaw is the most common and easily distinguished mode of transportation at the city. In fact, it is widely known for being a recognizable method of transportation throughout every city in India. Public transportation is a determinant factor on how well a city council utilizes its expenses, or how easily it grants citizens daily travel opportunities. However, it also determines how often people come into contact with pollution. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, a singular four-wheeled vehicle emits an estimated 4.6 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide per year. Now, can imagine how many vehicle users there are in the world? THE ROAD TO SOLUTION CITY Sustainable transportation doesn't just mean replacing every diesel automobile with an electric one. It also means seeking an alternative form of transportation that can still provide the same convenience as an automobile. Take Singapore for example, its land-transport initiative has included alternatives such as railroad, bus, cycling and walking. Due to this initiative, around 75% of its peak-hour journeys are made with these alternative transportation methods. This effort can only produce its fruitful outcome only if people show the effort to utilize a new method of transportation. This is only attainable if the service provided is safe, reliable, affordable, and advanced. TRANSPORTATION AS SOMETHING MORE A key thing to remember is that transportation also r
BEYONDTHE SMARTCITYby Karthigeyan Think of a city where buildings adjust and adapt to their energy consumption mechanically. Perhaps another one where transport systems communicate with one another while making travelling seem instant or a city where authorities govern districts and improve public lifestyle by using advanced technology for development as well as issue identification and solution. As much as it seems impressive and cool, most may believe it is too good to be true. Yet many cities are already heading towards this new trend. The development of the smart city promises the efficient use of technology in quality of life. Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that a city embedded in all sorts of smart complex technology does not always guarantee a sustainable city lifestyle. Buildings are always a large and complex component when discussing the impacts on urban environment. International Energy Agency (IEA) have proven through research that 26% of global energy system emissions in 2022 along with emissions linked to construction materials which adds on another 7% are caused building operations. What does this indicate? This means that sustainable urban development is responsible for both the energy buildings use and the resources used to construct them. Curbing this issue is actually quite simple. It is possible if the overall environmental impacts are reduced which can be made successful by benefitting energy efficient designs, better insulation, low carbon materials, renewable energies and smarter building management. Technology growth still has its own limitations and restrictions. UN-Habitat warned that certain smart city programmes have been focusing more on its technological capabilities rather than residents’ actual needs. Surveillance, inequality, discrimination along with digital divisions make up these concerns. Instead, a true smart city should prioritise human needs and convenience while maintaining environmental well-being. These technologies should be focused more on improving accessibility, safety sustainability and public services rather than merely making the cities technologically impressive and attractive. Singapore illustrates a great practical solution of policy-driven urban sustainability. Moreover, its the green plan, the country targets to achieve 80% of its building to meet green standards by 2030. This shows a crucial principle of sustainable urban development requiring more compare to individual innovation. More importantly, the design of an entire built environment can be influenced by government standards, planning rules and incentives. Undoubtedly the usage of technology will continue to expand in future cities. However, sustainability will always depend on the objective beyond the simple technology itself. The best smart cities of tomorrow may not be the ones with advanced sencors, screens or the well-known artificial intelligence. Perhaps, it can be the ones where buildings use less energy, transport works efficiently, public spaces remain welcoming and technology that genuinely improves the publics’ standard of living. After all, sustainable development is about creating better places for people to live in rather than developing smarter machines. CAN TECHNOLOGY MAKE A CITY SUSTAINABLE? 1 2 SMART IS NOT ENOUGH1 3 How can AI influence the smart cities? Find out here Watch this
BIBLIOGRAPHY1.International Energy Agency( IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and UN Climate Change High-Level Champions (2023) Breakthrough Agenda Report 2023. Paris: International Energy Agency. Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/breakthrough-agenda-report-2023 (Accesed 12 October 2026). 2.United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)(2024a) Emissions Gap Report 2024: No More Hot Air ... Please!.Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2024 (Accesed 12 October 2026). 3.United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2024b) Food Waste Index Report 2024.Nairobi United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/food-waste-index-report-2024 (Accessed 12 October 2026). 4.United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2024c) Global Resources Outlook 2024. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/Global-Resources-Outlook-2024 (Accessed 12 October 2026). 5.United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2024d) Global Waste Management Outlook 2024. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/global-waste- management-outlook-2024 (Accessed 12 October 2026). 6.United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)(2024) World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate action.Nairobi: UN-Habitat.Available at: https://unhabitat.org/world-cities-report-2024-cities-and-climate-action (Accessed 12 October 2026). 7. World Health Organization(WHO)(2024) Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news- room/fact-sheets/ambient-%28outdoor%29-air-quality-and-health (Accessed 12 October 2026). ARTICLE REFERENCES 8.United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2023) Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle: Questions and Answers. Available at: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P1017FP5.txt (Accessed 14 October 2026). 9.World Bank (2026) What a Waste 3.0: Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management toward Circularity until 2050. Washington, DC: World Bank. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/what-a-waste (Accessed 14 October 2026).
YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROWTHE CHOICES WE MAKE TODAY SHAPE THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TOMORROW.www.beyondtomorrowmag.com