I read the Earth Charter today.A document which was created over a period of 10 years, and a magnificent declaration of values. It is concise and thorough, and if it was taken up "as a common standard by which the conduct of all individuals, organizations, businesses, governments, and transnational institutions is to be guided and assessed" we might all be better able to meet the challenges ahead.
From the Preamble:
THE GLOBAL SITUATION: The dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing environmental devastation, the depletion of resources, and a massive extinction of species. Communities are being undermined. The benefits of development are not shared equitably and the gap between rich and poor is widening. Injustice, poverty, ignorance, and violent conflict are widespread and the cause of great suffering. An unprecedented rise in human population has overburdened ecological and social systems. The foundations of global security are threatened. These trends are perilous—but not inevitable.
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