Download - There is nothing else in global civil society with the demonstrated power of the Earth Charter
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Introducing
The Earth Charter
Values and Principles for a Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful
Global Society in the 21st CenturyThere is nothing else in global civil society
with the demonstrated power of the Earth Charter
to unite people from across divisions
of culture, religion, and politics ...
background, sector, and profession ...
and inspire them to work together for a world that is
more just, more sustainable, and more peaceful.
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
How do we address
the current challenges
to life on Earth?
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Challenges like these…
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
... and these ...
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Challenges to Life on Earth include ...
Diminished natural resourcesRapid loss of biodiversity
Climate change
Population growth and rapid urbanization Unsustainable livelihoods and poverty Unsustainable consumption
Poor governanceLack of universal primary education
Lack of health education, potable water, and sanitation
Social inequity and war
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
What is“Our Common Future”?
If these trends continue,what will the Earth look like in 50 years?
If we want to alter these trends,
what should we do?
What is the “buzz word”
for these types of activities?
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
“Sustainable Development”
A Few Definitions
• Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987)
• Improving the quality of life within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems (UNEP, WWF, IUCN, 1991)
• …a process which enables all people to realize their potential and to improve their quality of life in ways which protect and enhance the Earth's life support systems (Forum for the Future, UK)
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Conventional Development vs. Sustainable Development
What are the values associated with
conventional development?
What are the values associated with
sustainable development?
Sustainable development is not a
technical term, but an ethical pursuit
So an ethical framework is needed
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
The Earth CharterRepresents a Global Consensus on Shared Values and Ethics
for Building a More Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful World
1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.
2. Care for the community of life ...
3. Build democratic societies ...
4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty ...
5. Protect and restore ... Earth's ecological
systems ...
6. Prevent harm ... apply a precautionary
approach
7. Adopt [sustainable] patterns of production,
consumption, and reproduction ...
8. Advance the study of ecological
sustainability ...
9. Eradicate poverty ...
10. Ensure that economic activities ... promote human development ...
11. Affirm gender equality ... ensure universal access
12. Uphold the right of all ... to a natural and social environment
13. Strengthen democratic institutions ...
14. Integrate [sustainability] into formal education and life-long learning ...
15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration
16. Promote a culture of ... peace
I. Respect for
nature
II. Universal human
rights
III. Economic justice
IV. A culture of peace
Core sustainability values + Shared ethical principles = Widely endorsed and inspiring call to action
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
This is the promise
of the Earth Charter:
By declaring
what we must care about ...
By describing
what we must do ...
By inspiring
as many people as possible…
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
More and more people
will care ...
More and more people
will take action ...
More and more people
will inspire
more and more people ...
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
... to work for the wellbeing of this:
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992
Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit; Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)
1994 -2000
Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation
Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments
2000 -2005
Phase 2 - Launch and EstablishmentFinal text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins (2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)
2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action OrientationStrategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992
Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit; Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)
1994 -2000
Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation
Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth Charter Commission created (1996); 5,000 people contribute comments
2000 -2005
Phase 2 - Launch and EstablishmentFinal text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins (2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)
2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action OrientationStrategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992
Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit; Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)
1994 -2000
Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation
Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments
2000 -2005
Phase 2 - Launch and EstablishmentFinal text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins (2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)
2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action OrientationStrategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992
Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit; Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)
1994 -2000
Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation
Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev re-launch Earth Charter as a civil society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments
2000 -2005
Phase 2 - Launch and EstablishmentFinal text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins (2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)
2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action OrientationStrategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
The Earth Charter Initiative is a global network of people, organizations, and institutions who participate in promoting the Earth Charter, and in implementing its principles in practice in different areas, including ...
Education forSustainable Development
Youth Action & Empowerment
Arts & CultureBusiness Engagementin Global Ethics
International Law & Ethics
Religion & Sustainability
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Selected EndorsementsOver 2,500 Organizations, Institutions, Cities and Ministries have
Formally Endorsed the Earth Charter
African Women’s Development and Communication Network, Kenya
Arab Office for Youth and Environment, Egypt
Associaçao Portuguesa de Educaçao Ambiental - ASPEA, Portugal
Australian Centre for Environmental LawBellagio Forum for Sustainable DevelopmentThe Club of BudapestNational Council on Environment and
Sustainable `Development, PortugalThe CORE Trust, United KingdomConsejo Estatal de Ecología de Michoacan,
MexicoCouncil of the Parliament of the World’s
ReligionsThe David Suzuki Foundation, CanadaDevelopment Alternatives, IndiaEnvironmental Defense, United StatesFundación Mundo Sustenable, MexicoFundación Valores, SpainFundación Cultura de Paz, SpainThe European Environmental BureauThe Ministries of Environment in the Nations of
Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras and MexicoThe Government of the Republic of NigerGreater Johannesburg Metropolitan Youth
Council
National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development (NCDO), Netherlands
National University, Costa RicaNational Wildlife Federation - NWF, United
StatesThe Green Belt Movement, KenyaGreen Cross InternationalGrupo de los Cien, MexicoGrupo Xcaret, MexicoInstituto Paulo Freire, BrazilInternational Consortium on Religion and
EcologyInternational Council of Local Governments
for Sustainability - ICLEIInternational Institute for Environment &
Development - IIEDInuit Circumpolar Conference - ICCThe Jane Goodall InstituteJordanian Hashemite Fund for Human
DevelopmentKehati, IndonesiaLEAD InternationalLenting, IndonesiaMillennium NGO Forum (a group of a 1000
NGO’s)The Ministry of Youth, EgyptThe National Center for Human Rights
Education, United States
The National Center for Youth Development, Nigeria
Natural Resources Defense Council, United States
Pro-Natura, Italy
The Senate of Puerto RicoThe Senate of AustraliaThe Parliaments of Tatarstan, Kabardino-
Balkaria, and Kalmykia, Russian Federation
Physicians for Social Responsibility, United States
Stockholm Environment Institute, SwedenThird World Academy of Sciences - TWAS,
ItalyUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization - UNESCOUnited Nations UniversityUniversity for Peace, Costa RicaThe US Conference of MayorsVitae Civilis, BrazilThe Wilderness Society, AustraliaWorld Conservation Union - IUCNWomen & Environment Development
Organization - WEDOWorld Federation of Engineering OrganizationsWorld Resources Institute, United StatesWWF International
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
What can you do?
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Be part of the Earth Charter Community!
• Make the Earth Charter values part of your daily life
• Promote the Earth Charter vision
• Endorse the Charter
• Volunteer your time for Earth Charter International
• Join the Earth Charter Youth Initiative
• Use Earth Charter Tools
• Take action to realize Earth Charter values in your community, organization, and personal life
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Visit our website!www.EarthCharter.org
• Read the Earth Charter in more than 35 languages
• Read “Earth Charter in Action,” our news site, and download dozens of free resources
• Endorse the Charter and/or subscribe to our Newsletter
• Find out how to contribute, get involved and become a member of the Earth Charter Initiative…
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
www.EarthCharter.org (Photos from Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Reports)
Charter International
Earth Charter International Secretariat and
Earth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development
at UPEACE, Costa Rica
For general enquires: info [@] earthcharter [.] orgContact the youth coordinator: youthcoordinator [@] earthcharter [.] org
Contact the volunteer coordinator: volunteercoordinator [@] earthcharter[.] org
Join the Earth CharterInitiative
ContactEarth
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
“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.” — PreambleThe Earth Charter 2000