HOME SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: BRIDGING HOUSEHOLD PRACTICES WITH GLOBAL GOALS

Abstract

Home Science, as an interdisciplinary field encompassing food and nutrition, textiles and clothing,
housing, resource management, and family welfare, plays a pivotal role in achieving the United Nations'
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This comprehensive review examines the intersection of home
science disciplines and sustainable development, exploring how household-level interventions contribute
to global sustainability objectives. Through systematic analysis of current research, this paper
demonstrates that household consumption accounts for 60-70% of global greenhouse gas emissions,
positioning home science professionals as crucial agents of change. The review synthesizes evidence
across multiple domains, identifying behavioral, structural, and educational challenges while proposing
strategies for integrating sustainability into home science education and practice. Key findings indicate
that sustainable household practices can reduce environmental footprints by 25-70% across different
domains while providing economic benefits. The paper concludes that home science education and
professional practice are essential tools for fostering sustainable communities, bridging the gap between
individual actions and global development targets, and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development
Agenda.