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.
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