An acute State of Emergency exists on Earth,
imperiling its climate, its life support systems and
the lives of billions of people. The related crises of
environmental degradation and the destitution of a
third of humanity are linked to the ever-greater
concentration of economic power and worsened by a
profound failure of world governance. The world
community, is called to act, agreeing a planetary
ethic - of respect for life and human dignity - as
expressed in the Earth Charter.
Millions of people worldwide are becoming
aware of the connectedness of all life. By working
together through our networks, globally and locally, we
can accelerate initiatives already under way, shifting
the global balance of power in favour of restoring the
Earth, sharing its resources equitably and assuring the
sustainable wellbeing of present and future generations.
To achieve these aims, we call for a
global alliance of all sections of society. The
creativity of all of humanity is needed - using
traditional and popular knowledge, art, design,
engineering, modern science and business to create a
thriving and sustainable relationship between people and
planet.
At this defining moment in history, we
urge world leaders to acknowledge the Earth’s State of
Emergency and give priority to major investment in
environmental security and peace, not war. Jointly, we
can work to restore the earth’s ecosystems, feed the
world and create liveable and sustainable human
settlements. We call for the current decade to be used
to:-
Rapidly phase in renewable energy
technology in place of polluting energy systems as a
key strategy for sustainability in industry,
agriculture, transport and the built environment,
Shift taxation from labour to the
use of resources, pollution and waste - promoting
conservation and clean production, and enhancing
social welfare and jobs,
Create ecological economies,
compatible with the Earth’s ecosystems –acknowledging
that perpetual economic growth is not possible in a
finite world,
Co-operate globally to revive
local democracies and economies - prioritising local
production for local consumption, and minimizing the
need for long-distance transport of goods,
Make sustainable agriculture the
global norm - securing food supplies with minimal
environmental impacts, avoiding genetic engineering
and prohibiting patents on life,
Protect tribal and traditional
societies and their lands - acknowledging their right
to decide their own future and respecting their
contribution to human knowledge,
Reform worldwide monetary and
financial systems to protect and enhance the
well-being of human communities and the natural
environment on which they depend,
Initiate a progressive shift of
funds from military spending towards environmental
security - providing adequate water, nutrition,
healthcare, shelter and sustainable livelihoods for
all,
Create a participative Earth
Democracy – fundamentally reforming global governance,
for the benefit of people and nature, so that
international decision making is open and accountable
within the framework of a strengthened and
democratised United Nations.
Another world is possible... Spread the word...
And let's make it happen!
