Lifestyle Choices for People & Planet!

Published on April 9, 2021

The Anatomy of Action is a 15-day social media challenge that engages organizations, global influencers and the public to encourage their communities to make sustainable lifestyle changes.

By 2050 the world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion. With more people comes more consumption – for basic needs as well as a thirst for well-being, fashion, travel and better living. Two to three billion of these will be young urban consumers, who set today’s consumption trends, will be tomorrow’s decision-makers and receive 90% of their information from social media. [1]

The world is under threat from global health concerns, economic challenges, biodiversity loss and climate change so, in essence, our collective lifestyle choices will determine our future. Targeted individual actions can tip the scales for climate progress, and this Anatomy of Action social media challenge proves the momentum to act is here!

The Anatomy of Action was born out of a partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme and The UnSchool of Disruptive Design to support interventions that would help make sustainable living irresistible.

The social media toolkit identifies and communicates impactful actions that anyone can take to contribute to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

These 15 everyday actions, when taken individually and accumulated across the globe, can and will have positive impacts on the health and sustainability of our planet.

Who joined the challenge?

On 19 March 2021, the challenge took place over 15 days working closely with IUCN, SDSN SSP, Green is the New Black, AIESEC Peru, Earth Charter International, Veggie Mijas, Eco UNESCO, UNESCO Youth, SOS UK, individuals and social media influencers globally took inspiration from the provided menu of actions and visuals assets and adapted their messages to suit their country and community contexts.

The results? The hashtag #AnatomyofAction recorded a reach of 4 million, with 4,500 social media posts and stories spanning countries all over the world.

This challenge and its passionate participants will also contribute to holistic lifestyles conversations surrounding AEISEC Peru’s Congress of Momentum, IUCN’s Global Youth Summit, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Global Summit, and UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development conference in March, April and May 2021.

Together, we can all make a tangible difference. The challenge is ongoing with more supported reactivations planned, so you can contribute today using the hashtags #AnatomyofAction #ActNow and follow and tag @TheOfficialAnatomyofAction on Instagram.

[1] All Hands on Deck, Sustainable Lifestyles and Education, UN Environment Programme.