Center for Respect of Life and Environment (CRLE)

The Earth Charter is an integrated ethical framework to guide us toward "good" globalization and sustainable living. Developed through a ten-year worldwide consultative process, it was completed in 2000. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals have endorsed the Charter and are promoting its affirmation and implementation at the World Summit for Sustainable Development and beyond. This issue contains a range of background materials and reflections on the Earth Charter that can assist us in developing global Earth ethics.

September 11th and the Earth Charter, by Steven C. Rockefeller. This article explains how the global vision of peace, justice, and economic and ecological interdependence expressed in the Earth Charter can be used to combat terrorism. "At the heart of the Earth Charter is an ethic of respect and care for all life," and this must continue to be fostered on the local, state, national, and international level in order to create a peaceful and sustainable society.

Towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development, by Richard M. Clugston. Dr. Clugston ponders how far we have come since the Earth Summit in Rio ten years ago, and considers the great gains we still must make in order to lay down the ecological, social, and spiritual foundations of the "good life" for all future generations. He stresses the importance of using the Earth Charter at the WSSD to help develop a more complete framework for sustainability.

The Earth Charter. This is a reprint of the Earth Charter, complete with Preamble, Principles, and The Way Forward.

Questions and Answers Concerning the Earth Charter. This piece answers eleven of the most frequently asked questions on the Earth Charter, including "What is the Earth Charter?", "Why is the Earth Charter important?" and "Who wrote the Earth Charter?".

Mission and Programs of the Earth Charter Initiative. The mission of the Earth Charter Initiative is to establish a sound framework for a sustainable world based on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Earth Charter Initiative programs have been developed in the areas of education, business and professional accountability, and religion, to name only a few.

History of the Earth Charter. This article is an overview of the Earth Charter's historical context and significance, starting with the development of the United Nations in 1945, to the issuing of the final version in 2000, to the impact of the Charter now.

Reflections from the Founders of the Earth Charter Initiative, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Maurice F. Strong, and Ruud Lubbers. Each of these renowned world leaders discusses the importance of shaping a new value system and integrating a new ethical vision for the global society through the Earth Charter.

The Earth Charter: The Journey from The Hague 2000, by Parvez Hassan. Mr. Hassan discusses the international significance of the Earth Charter as a historic and inspirational document that has launched a global campaign "to change human societies in their relationship not only to each other but also to our planet Earth."

The Earth Charter: Science and Spirituality, by Kamla Chowdhry. In this article the Earth Charter is used as a paradigm within which the dominant patterns of production and consumption, as well as our current notion of progress, which is measured in terms of economics, are analyzed and subverted.

Indonesian Realities and the Promise of the Earth Charter, by Erna Witoelar. Ms. Witoelar addresses the dilemma of implementing sustainable development practices in a developing country that faces considerable environmental, social, and economic challenges. She urges the Earth Charter Commission to show resolve in working towards the implementation of Earth Charter principles on a global scale.

Earth Charter in Action, by Stephen L. Smith. This article documents examples of countries, international organizations, community groups, and individuals around the world using the Earth Charter to educate those around them and create positive change.

The City of Urbino and the Earth Charter, by Massimo Galuzzi, Mayor of Urbino.

The Russian Republic of Tatarstan Adopts the Earth Charter as a Blueprint for Development.

Earth Charter Teaching Resources.

An Affirmation Not Yet Realized, by John A. Hoyt. Mr. Hoyt expresses his disappointment in the lack of overt affirmation for animal rights in the Earth Charter, but expresses hope that the fundamental principle of respect for the intrinsic value of life that forms the foundation of the Charter will be extended to animals as well.

Religion: Ethics and the Earth Charter - an Ecumenical Forum, by Dieter T. Hessel. This forum was edited from various presentations on the Earth Charter in 1999 and 2000. Includes comments from Steven C. Rockefeller, J. Ronald Engel, Jay B. McDaniel, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Stephanie Kaza, Douglas Sturm, Christina L.H. Traina, and Rosemary Radford Ruether.