The Earth Charter

The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century.  Global Education Associates has collaborated in the international process to draft and promote the Earth Charter.  Beginning in 1988, GEA supported the development of “The Earth Covenant: A Citizens' Treaty for Global Ecological Security.” The Earth Covenant was signed by more than two million people and was later used in development of the Earth Charter.

For more information on the Earth Charter, visit the Earth Charter Initiative website.

Earth Covenant
A Citizens' Treaty for Common Ecological Security

Background

The Earth Covenant is a citizens' treaty for common ecological security. By signing the Earth Covenant, people around the world, from all walks of life, enter into a covenant with one another to care for the Earth and our common future. The Earth Covenant is not a petition to governments; nor is it anti-government. It actually represents a more mature stage in democratic evolution and citizen-government relationships. Governments alone have not caused all the ecological crises, and governments alone cannot turn these crises around. We do not need to wait for governmental legislation to force us to be more environmentally responsible. We can establish principles and laws in our own hearts and minds, and in relationship with one another, in which we bind ourselves to be more responsible for the state of our neighborhoods and the state of our Earth. In so doing, we help to create a global culture of ecological responsibility. We also help to create the political space that enables and requires governments to be more responsive and effective in protecting the Earth.

In 1988, GEA initiated what became the first global citizens’ treaty for global ecological security. The idea was presented by GEA co-founder Patricia Mische at a citizen diplomacy meeting between US and Soviet Citizens, and was quickly taken up as a joint enterprise. It was one of many collaborative steps taken to end the Cold War. The following year the project was expanded to involve people from around the Earth in a one-year process of sharing input. In 1989 a working group of people from diverse countries came together to draft the Covenant, utilizing this input. The Covenant was then translated into 20 languages and circulated around the Earth for ratification. By the time of the 1992 Earth Summit more than a million signatures had been gathered and the Earth Covenant was presented at the Summit. Since then, more than two million people have ratified the Covenant. It has also been used in schools, community and religious centers, radio and television, and many other public arenas as an educational tool for deepening ecological consciousness and commitment.

Text of the Earth Covenant

Preamble
We, the peoples of the Earth, rejoice in the beauty and wonder of the lands, skies, waters, and life in all its diversity. Earth is our home. We share it with all other living beings.

Yet we are rendering the Earth uninhabitable for the human community and for many species of life. Lands are becoming barren, skies fouled, waters poisoned. The cry of people whose land, livelihood and health are being destroyed is heard around the world. The Earth itself is calling us to awaken.

We, and all living beings, depend upon the Earth and upon one another for our common existence, well-being, and development. Our common future depends upon a reexamination of our most basic assumptions about humankind's relationship to the Earth. We must develop common principles and systems to shape this future in harmony with the Earth.

Governments alone cannot secure the environment. As citizens of the world, we accept responsibility in our personal, occupational and community lives, to protect the integrity of the Earth.

Principles and Commitments
In covenant with each other and on behalf of the whole earth community, we commit ourselves to the following principles and actions:

Relationship with the Earth: All Life is sacred. Each human being is a unique and integral part of the Earth's community of life and has a special responsibility to care for life in all its diverse forms.

Therefore, we will act and live in a way that preserves the natural life processes of the Earth and respects all species and their habitats. We will work to prevent ecological degradation.

Relationship with Each Other: Each human being has the right to a healthful environment and to access to the fruits of the Earth. Each also has a continual duty to work for the realization of these rights for present and future generations.
Therefore, concerned that every person have food, shelter, pure air, potable water, education, employment, and all that is necessary to enjoy the full measure of human rights - we will work for more equitable access to the Earth's resources.

Relationship Between Economic and Ecological Security: Since human life is rooted in the natural processes of the Earth, economic development, to be sustainable, must preserve the life-support systems of the Earth.

Therefore, we will use environmentally protective technologies and promote their availability to people in all parts of the Earth. When doubtful about the consequences of economic goals and technologies on the environment, we will allow an extra margin of protection for nature.

Governance and Ecological Security: The protection and enhancement of life on Earth demand adequate legislative, administrative and judicial systems at appropriate local, national, regional, and international levels. In order to be effective, these systems must be empowering, participatory, and based on openness of information.

Therefore, we will work for enactment of laws that protect the environment and promote their observance through educational, political and legal action. We shall advance policies of prevention rather than only reacting to ecological harm.

Declaring our partnership with one another and with our Earth, we give our word of honor to be faithful to the above commitments.


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