The Earth Charter
PREAMBLE
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. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures
and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must
join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human
rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples
of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future
generations.
Earth, Our Home
Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of
life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure, but Earth has
provided the conditions essential to life's evolution. The resilience of the community of life and the
well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological
systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air. The global
environment with its finite resources is a common concern of all peoples. The protection of Earth's
vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.
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.
The Challenges Ahead
The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for Earth and one another or risk the
destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life. Fundamental changes are needed in our values,
institutions, and ways of living. We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human
development is primarily about being more, not having more. We have the knowledge and
technology to provide for all and to reduce our impacts on the environment. The emergence of a
global civil society is creating new opportunities to build a democratic and humane world. Our
environmental, economic, political, social, and spiritual challenges are interconnected, and
together we can forge inclusive solutions.
Universal Responsibility
To realize these aspirations, we must decide to live with a sense of universal responsibility,
identifying ourselves with the whole Earth community as well as our local communities. We are at
once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked.
Everyone shares responsibility for the present and future well-being of the human family and the
larger living world. The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we
live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life, and humility regarding the
human place in nature.
We urgently need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging
world community. Therefore, together in hope we affirm the following interdependent principles for a
sustainable way of life as a common standard by which the conduct of all individuals, organizations,
businesses, governments, and transnational institutions is to be guided and assessed.
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Go Here to view the entire Charter
Earth Charter
 
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