Toward a Sustainable World: The Earth Charter in Action

This book was published in 2005 by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in the Netherlands. It is available in English, Dutch, and Spanish, with other translations pending. You can be download the book chapter-by-chapter from Earth Charter International's website.

From the book's introduction by Peter Blaze Corcoran:

Thematic and descriptive essays from around the world tell of action informed by the Earth Charter and demonstrate its utility in diverse cultural contexts. They show its promise in working across the divide between the northern and southern hemispheres, across the faith traditions, the nations, and the generations.
Each Part of the Earth Charter, including the Preamble and The Way Forward, is given in full text, presented in a separate color, and is introduced by an extended essay on the overarching themes of that Part. Then, each of the sixteen main Principles is spoken to in either a thematic essay on its content or in a descriptive essay on a project related to the substance of that Principle.

The writers include the well-known whose action within an ethical framework has been enhanced by their work on the Earth Charter. The writers also include those little-known outside their circles whose heroic fortitude in putting the Earth Charter in action is often without recognition but which has been of critical importance. There are sixty-two essays by seventy-four contributors. They are from thirty-two nations and represent a wide diversity of geographies, cultures, and traditions. Several of the essays are by young people taking part in the great adventure of putting their high hopes and aspirations for a better world into action as inspired by the Earth Charter. Through these writers,
taken together, we see that this is a people's movement – even as the Earth Charter is a people's treaty.

It is my desire that this book celebrates the ways in which the Earth Charter has been used. I also trust that it shows the efficacy of the Earth Charter in international law, religion, diplomacy, education, business, public policy, and many other fields – and that it points the way toward increasing usefulness.

Finally, it is my hope that you, the reader, will add your creative imagination to this endeavor of putting the Earth Charter into action – that you will live the Earth Charter, and thereby, join in the process of defining it as a living document.

Here's the book's table of contents
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Colofon

Acknowledgements

Preface

Mikhail Gorbachev
The Third Pillar of Sustainable Development

Maurice F. Strong
A People's Earth Charter

Foreword

Wangari Maathai
Abandon Apathy and be Moved to Action

Introduction

Peter Blaze Corcoran
Making the World One

The History and Provenance of the Earth Charter

Mirian Vilela and Peter Blaze Corcoran
Building Consensus on Shared Values

Preamble

Mary Evelyn Tucker
Humanity is Part of a Vast Evolving Universe
An extended thematic essay on key concepts in the Preamble

Parvez Hassan
Earth Charter: An Ethical Lodestar and Moral Force
A thematic essay on the historical context and significance of the Earth Charter

Hamza Alamoosh
Black Iris: The Earth Charter as a Common Vision for Muslim and Christian Youth in Jordan
A project descriptive essay on bridging Islamic and Christian cultures

Abelardo Brenes
Universal and Differentiated Responsibility
A thematic essay on responsibility to the whole Earth community and to promote the common good

J. Ronald Engel
The Earth Charter Covenant
A thematic essay on solidarity and kinship with all life.

Part I: Respect and Care for the Community of Life

Leonardo Boff
Respect and Care for the Community of Life with Understanding, Compassion, and Love
An extended thematic essay on the overarching themes of Part I

Principle 1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity

Homero Aridjis
Saving the Landscape of our Childhood and Backdrop for our Dreams
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 1 on the rights of nature

Principle 2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love.

Jane Goodall with Robert R. Sassor
Our World's Youth: Taking Compassionate Action for a Better Tomorrow
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 2 on caring for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love

Principle 3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.

Wakako Hironaka
The Aims of the Earth Charter in Japan
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 3 on using the Earth Charter in the Japanese House of Councillors

Alberto Cárdenas Jiménez and Mateo A. Castillo Ceja
The Earth Charter in Mexico: Actions to Advance Towards Democratic Societies that are Just, Participatory, Sustainable, and Peaceful
A project descriptive essay on building participation in sustainable development as it relates to Principle 3

Principle 4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.
English | Nederlands

Awraham Soetendorp
To Avert the Day of Destruction
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 4 on intergenerational responsibility and the Millennium Development Goals

Laura Westra
Securing Earth's Bounty for Present and Future Generations
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 4 on legislation regarding harm to nature

Part II: Ecological Integrity

Brendan Mackey
Ecological Integrity - A Commitment to Life on Earth
An extended thematic essay on key concepts in Part II

Principle 5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.

Khyn P. Yap
Using the Earth Charter in Local Campaigns against Genetically Modified Organisms
A project descriptive essay as it relates to Principle 5 on preventing introduction of harmful organisms

Principle 6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.

Ruud Lubbers
The Shift from Economy to Ecology
A thematic essay on globalization relating to Principle 6

Principle 7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.

Hazel Henderson
Beyond Economism: Toward Earth Ethics
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 7 on regenerative economies and the economics of sustainability

Hermann Garritzmann
The Earth Charter on its Way Through Germany
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 7 on lifestyles that emphasize the quality of life

Principle 8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and
wide application of the knowledge acquired.

Hans van Ginkel
The Ubuntu Alliance: Mobilizing Knowledge for Sustainable Development
A project descriptive essay on the Ubuntu Declaration as it relates to Principle 8 on advancing sustainability education and knowledge

Part III: Social and Economic Justice

Yolanda Kakabadse
Using Earth Charter Principles to Assess Social Economic Justice in Latin America
An extended thematic essay on key concepts in Part III

Principle 9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.

Erna Witoelar
The Earth Charter and the Millennium Development Goals
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 9 on using the Earth Charter to achieve the United
Nations Millennium Development Goals

A.T. Ariyaratne
Awakening and the Earth Charter in Sri Lanka
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 9 on recognizing the ignored, protecting the vulnerable, and serving those who suffer

Michèle Sato, Luiz Augusto Passos, and Carlos Maldonado
Mato Grosso Writes Its Earth Charter
A project descriptive essay on the many inspirations and applications of the Earth
Charter in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Principle 10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.

Dumisani Nyoni and Ismail Serageldin
Youth Employment: A Global Priority for Sustainability, Peace and Prosperity
A project descriptive essay on equitable employment for the future as it relates to Principle 10.

Rene Ledesma and Josephine Espaillat
The Earth Charter: A Beginning of Sustainable Development in the Dominican Republic
A project descriptive essay on equitable and sustainable human development as it relates to Principle 10

Oscar Motomura
The Earth Charter and the World of Business and Economics
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 10 and sustainable business practice

Sixto Rojas
Giving The Earth Charter "a Local Habitation and a Name" In The Philippines
A project descriptive essay on humane sustainable development in national economic policy

Principle 11. Affirm gender equality as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.

Irene Dankelman
Gender Equality and Equity: At the Heart of the Earth Charter
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 11 on gender equality and equity

Principle 12. Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.

Henriette Rasmussen
Sustainable Greenland and Indigenous Ideals
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 12 on indigenous thinking embedded in the Earth Charter and the participation of Circumpolar peoples

Philip Osano
Shaping Our Common Future: Youth Campaigning for Sustainable Development Using the Earth Charter in East Africa
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 12 on honoring and supporting youth people

Sergey Shafarenko
A Test for the Maturity of Humankind
A project descriptive essay on democracy and social justice in Central Asian civil society as it relates to Principle 12

Michael Slaby
Making Ripples of Change: The Hopes of the Earth Charter Youth Initiative
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 12 on youth aspirations

Part IV: Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace

Federico Mayor
Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace
An extended thematic essay on key concepts in Part IV

Principle 13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making and access to justice.

Edgar González-Gaudiano
The Earth Charter in Action: Experiences and Perspectives for Education in Values in México
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 13 on citizen participation in environmental and
educational programs

Alexander Likhotal
The Earth Charter as a Vehicle of Transformation
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 13 on creating global dialogue on sustainable
development

Alide Roerink
Pay it Forward - Living the Earth Charter in the Netherlands
A project descriptive essay on the uses of the Earth Charter in NCDO projects as they relate to Principle 13

Karine Danielyan
Five Years with the Earth Charter in Armenia: The Development of Democratic Institutions
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 13

Chamniern Paul Vorratnchaiphan
Earth Charter Imperatives: Linking the Global and the Local in Developing Countries
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 13 on localizing the Earth Charter in developing countries

Rustem Khairov
The Earth Charter in Russia: 1994 - 2004
An Earth Charter project descriptive essay on the process of Earth Charter endorsement by the
Republic of Tatarstan as it relates to Principle 13

Principle 14. Integrate into formal education and life-longlearning the knowledge, values, and
skills needed for a sustainable way of life.

Angela Antunes and Moacir Gaddoti
Eco-pedagogy as the Appropriate Pedagogy to the Earth Charter Process
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 14 on eco-pedadogy

Razeena Waiget
South African Initiatives that Draw on the Earth Charter
A project descriptive essay on using the Earth Charter in the national curriculum and in national park staff training as it relates to Principle 14

Louise Erbacher, Ben Glass, and Kendon Glass
Taking it to the Brink: The Story of the Brink Expedition
An Earth Charter project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 14 on education for sustainable development and sustainable living

Liu Yunhua
The Earth Charter and Development of China's National Guidelines for Environmental Education in the School Curriculum
A project descriptive essay on the Earth Charter as an inspiration for environment education as it relates to Principle 14

Guillem Ramis
Testimonials and Experiences from the Balearic Islands, Spain
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 14 on empowering children

Sally Linder and Cameron Davis
The Ark of Hope and The Temenos Books
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 14 on promoting the arts in sustainability education

Principle 15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.

Richard M. Clugston and John A. Hoyt
The Earth Charter and Animals
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 15 on humane animal treatment and humane sustainable development

Principle 16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence and peace.

Sylvannus Murray
Using the Earth Charter with Ex-combatants in Sierra Leone
A project descriptive essay which speaks to Principle 16 on encouraging and supporting mutual understanding, solidarity, and cooperation

Martin Lees
The Earth Charter as a Guide to Building a Culture of Peace and Sustainable Development
A project descriptive essay on education at University for Peace

Mohamed Sahnoun
Degradation of the Environment as the Cause of Violent Conflict
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 16 on African diplomacy and resolving environmental conflicts

Muazama Burkhanova
Environmental Problems and Sustainable Development in Tajikistan
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 16 on peace through participation

Jan Pronk
The Earth Charter as the Basis for a Comprehensive Approach to Conflicts in Sudan
A thematic essay which speaks to Principle 16 on African diplomacy and the Earth Charter

The Way Forward

Steven C. Rockefeller
The Transition to Sustainability
An extended thematic essay on key concepts in The Way Forward

Klaus Bosselmann and Prue Taylor
The Significance of the Earth Charter in International Law
A thematic essay on the significance of the Earth Charter for global law

Joan Anderson
Building Support for the Earth Charter Movement
A thematic essay on Earth Charter advocacy and activism

Herman Wijffels
The Way Forward on Coalitions of Workers and Businesses for Sustainability
A thematic essay on encouraging solidarity

Nigel Dower
The Earth Charter and Global Citizenship: A Way Forward
A thematic essay on global interdependence and universal responsibility

Kamla Chowdhry
The Spiritual Way, the Gandhian Way
A thematic essay which speaks to values and politics

Afterword

HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal
The Only Way Forward

Contents © Earth Charter International except where otherwise noted.