“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. ..” These words from the Earth Charter challenge us as we look to the future and to sustaining life on our planet. The Earth Charter is a UN-commissioned declaration of principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century. It has been called the “Declaration of Interdependence”. It instills the shared responsibility we have to one another and to the planet itself.
Daily we struggle with issues of war, the environment, educational opportunity and economic injustice. We typically fail to recognize the interconnectedness of these issues or feel overwhelmed by their scope and enormity. We thus miss opportunities to address them and effect change.
The Earth Charter was drafted over a 10 year period by thousands of individuals from 77 countries. It was launched at The Hague Peace Palace in 2000. It has subsequently been endorsed by thousands of organizations representing millions of individuals worldwide. The Earth Charter is an expression of hope and a call to help create a global partnership at a critical juncture in history.
The Earth Charter focuses on four principle areas. These areas encompass many of the issues we grapple with in today’s society.
Respect and Care for the Community of life.
Ecological Integrity
Social and Economic Justice
Democracy, Nonviolence and Peace
Our commitment to understanding and incorporating these principles into our actions is critical as we reflect on how to build a sustainable future for our children and subsequent generations.
Countries around the world have incorporated the Earth Charter in many different ways into their society. In the U.S., the annual Earth Charter Summit is held each October. This year’s Summit on October 13th will find citizens from 4 nations and 21 U.S. cities participating as they explore, celebrate and connect, each in their own ways to the core values of the Charter. From Honolulu to Ventura, California the first U.S. County to endorse the Charter to Denver, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Pittsburg, and St. Petersburg, Florida among others, citizens are invited to participate in these community summits. This year has particular significance as we build global support for next year’s “U.N. International Year of Planet Earth”. To become more familiar with the Earth Charter or for more information, contact: www.earthcharter.org.
The Earth Charter concludes with a challenge called “The Way Forward”:
“Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.“ Just imagine. It is up to us. What will be our commitment in realizing this opportunity? We invite you to join us in this celebration of hope and possibility.
Submitted by Robert Dodge, M.D.
Robert Dodge is a family physician practicing in Ventura, California. He is president of Ventura County Physicians for Social Responsibility and Co-chairman of Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions (www.c-p-r.net) and is also a board member of Beyond War (www.beyondwar.org). Ventura County is the first U.S. County to endorse the Earth Charter.
