A Call To Action
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!
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