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 "We
stand at a critical moment in Earth's
history, a time when humanity must choose
its future. As the world becomes increasingly
interdependent and fragile, the future
at once holds great peril and great promise.
To move forward we must recognize that
in the midst of a magnificent diversity
of cultures and life forms we are one
human family and one Earth community with
a common destiny. We must join together
to bring forth a sustainable global society
founded on respect for nature, universal
human rights, economic justice, and a
culture of peace. Towards this end, it
is imperative that we, the peoples of
Earth, declare our responsibility to one
another, to the greater community of life,
and to future generations." -- Preamble
of The Earth Charter
The
Earth Charter is one of the most significant
comprehensive blueprints for a better
world. It provides a framework for a holistic
ethical vision, calling for global partnership
to address our interdependent need for
environmental protection, human rights,
equitable human development and peace.
The Earth Charter was drafted over a decade
with input from thousands of people, and
it has been endorsed by more than 4500
organizations and governments, representing
millions of global citizens.
The
idea for the Earth Charter arose in 1987,
when the United Nations World Commission
on Environment and Development suggested
that the world needed a guiding charter
to assist in a transition to more sustainable
development, where the use of resources
aims to meet human needs while protecting
the environment so that future generations
will also be able to share in these resources.
The need for a new earth charter was again
urged by the UN in 1992 at the Rio de
Janeiro Earth Summit. But work on the
Earth Charter didn't begin until 1994,
when it was launched by civil society
organizations, the Earth Council, headed
by Maurice Strong, and Green Cross International,
headed by Mikhail Gorbachev. After years
of international consultations and meetings,
the Earth Charter was launched on June
29, 2000 at The Peace Palace in The Hague,
Netherlands. Today, The Earth Charter
Initiative spearheads promotion of The
Earth Charter and the document continues
to inspire individuals and serves as a
guiding blueprint for local, state and
national governments to create more peaceful,
just and sustainable communities. You
can help grow The Earth Charter by endorsing
it on the Earth Charter Initiative website,
as well as convince your organization
or local government to adopt it.
Endorse
The Earth Charter
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