Earth Charter

Earth Charter

The Earth Charter is an international declaration of fundamental values and principles considered useful by its supporters for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all peoples a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the human family and the larger living world.

History

The Earth Charter initiative began as a United Nations project, but it was carried forward and completed by a global civil society initiative. The drafting of the Earth Charter was a unique process that involved the most open and participatory consultation process ever conducted in connection with an international document. The final version was launched in 2000.

Principles

The Earth Charter is organized into four main pillars:

I. Respect and Care for the Community of Life

• Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.
• Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love.
• Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.
• Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.

II. Ecological Integrity

• Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.
• Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.
• Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.
• Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.

III. Social and Economic Justice

• Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.
• Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
• Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.
• Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.

IV. Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace

• Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.
• Integrate into formal education and lifelong learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.
• Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.
• Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.

Implementation and Impact

The Earth Charter has been endorsed by thousands of organizations, including UNESCO and the IUCN. It has been used as a reference document in the drafting of international agreements and has inspired educational programs, community development projects, and social movements around the world.

Criticism

Some critics argue that the Earth Charter is too idealistic and lacks practical mechanisms for implementation. Others believe it challenges traditional economic and political systems too radically.

See Also

• Sustainable development
• Environmental ethics
• Global citizenship

External Links

• Official Earth Charter Website