Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCL 29-02 Ûú¡ i1~ ,.. ~....... ~~ 187 REPORT TO COUNCIL FROM: Bruce Taylor, AMCT, CMM City Clerk DATE: July 15, 2002 REPORT NUMBER: CL 29-02 SUBJECT: Endorsement of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Resolution Earth Charter RECOMMENDATION: That the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering hereby endorses the following resolution ofthe Toronto and Region Conservation Authority: THAT the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority endorse the Earth Charter as a statement of our commitment to the spirit and aims of the document. In so doing, we pledge to join the global partnership for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world and to work for the realization of its values and principles. We pledge to promote and apply its principles in our programs, policies and other activities. ORIGIN: Resolution passed by the TRCA on June 21, 2002 AUTHORITY: Section 9 of the Municipal Act FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Not applicable EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Not applicable BACKGROUND: Please be advised that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority passed the following resolution at its meeting of June 21,2002: 188 Report to Council CL 29-02 Date: July 15,2002 Subject: Endorsement ofTRCA Resolution re: Earth Charter Page 2 THAT the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority endorse the Earth Charter as a statement of our commitment to the spirit and aims of the document. In so doing, we pledge to join the global partnership for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world and to work for the realization of its values and principles. We pledge to promote and apply its principles in our programs, policies and other activities; AND FURTHER THAT this report be forwarded to TRCA's Member Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), for their endorsement. Attached to this Report is a copy of the letter ITom the TRCA dated July 2, 2002 advising of the passing of the above resolution, a copy of the TRCA staff report and a copy ofthe Earth Charter. The Earth Charter seeks to promote awareness of the major challenges and choices facing humanity. It recognizes that in the midst of great diversity, we live in an increasingly interdependent world and that a global partnership involving civil society, business, and government is essential.. It is an urgent call for the changes in life style, institutional practice, and public policy required to protect the larger living world and to ensure a better future for all. It is the intention of the TRCA to inform the Earth Council in Costa Rica of its endorsement and the endorsement of its member municipalities, of the Earth Charter. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter ITom TRCA dated July 2, 2002 Pz: y ¿ Attachments Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council " . ATTAC~T#LTOREPORT# CL 2'1'- CJL- ... !"" " 189 0 n s e rva tl 0 n ~!7 ~~ P¡~:!{Ø1¡¡~ TORONTO AND REGION . ,j U L "" IJ CU~RI'\'S DIVISION July 2, 2002 Mr. Bruce J. Taylor Clerk City of Pickering Pickering Civic Centre One The Esplanade Pickering, ON L 1 V 6K7 Dear Mr. Taylor: At Authority Meeting #6/02, held on June 21, 2002, Resolution A 163/02, as outlined below, was approved. Also appended to this letter is the accompanying staff report and a copy of the Earth Charter. THA T the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority endorse the Earth Charter as a statement of our commitment to the spirit and aims of the document. In so doing, we pledge to join the global partnership for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world and to work for the realization of its values and principles. We pledge to promote and apply its principles in our programs, policies and other activities; AND FURTHER THAT this report be forwarded to TRCA's Member Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities in Ontario (AMO), for their endorsement. If you require further information on the Earth Charter, please contact Lisa King, Sustainability Specialist, The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, at 416-661-6600 ext. 5386. Kathy Stranks Þ ,{-f/ / /7 .<1 w.#~/ Executive Assistant, Chair & CAO IEncl. ¡'(Ivers" Biodiversity and Greenspace e Education for Sustainable l.i!/imy .. "-,,, .." ,..,. '.w..,= . . . 0 -'"""5s¡'o~:h~"';-Drive, Do~nsvíew, Ontario M3N ~is4 (4'16) 661-6600 FAX 661-6898 w';w.trca.on.ca --~~~\ "'" lDO ATTACHMEi'JT ti,",J- TO REPORT # C? "2 '1 ' () 1- Amended report, as approved by the Watershed Management Advisory Board at Meeting #3/02, held on June 14, 2002, and the Authority at Meeting #6/02, held on June 21, 2002. RES.#D47/02 - EARTH CHARTER We stand at a critical moment in the Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. 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. 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 reflected in the principles of the Earth Charter. Moved by: Seconded by: Anthony Ketchum Frank Scarpitti THE BOARD RECOMMENDS TO THE AUTHORITY THAT the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority endorse the Earth Charter as a statement of our commitment to the spirit and aims of the document. In so doing, we pledge to join the global partnership for a Just, sustainable, and peaceful world and to work for the realization of its values and principles. We pledge to promote and apply its principles In our programs, policies and other activities. AMENDMENT RES.#D48/02 Moved by: Seconded by: Frank Scarpitti Tanny Wells THAT the following be Inserted after the main motion: , AND FURTHER THAT this report be forwarded to TRCA's Member Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities in Ontario (AMO), for their endorsement. THE AMENDMENT WAS CARRIED THE MAIN MOTION, AS AMENDED, WAS CARRIED ATTACHMENT #--L TO REPORT#~ 2 Gì ~ 0.'2-- 191 BACKGROUND The Earth Charter was one of the expected outcomes of the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It was to have formed the ethical foundation upon which Agenda 21 and the other Rio documents were to have been based. The call for such a document caught the imagination of individuals and organizations around the world, as well as some governments. During the two years leading up to and including the Earth Summit, NGOs and government delegations from around the world worked on elements of the Charter. Still, governments could not reach agreement on an Earth Charter and instead adopted the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, which valuable, as it was, did not meet the expectations of a Charter. Following the Earth Summit, two international NGOs, the Earth Council and Green Cross International, with the support of the Dutch Government, joined forces with others to pursue the development of an Earth Charter. Over the past decade the international Earth Charter Initiative conducted a world wide, cross cultural dialogue on common goals and shared values. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals participated. Guided by this global conversation, the Initiative drafted the Earth Charter as a people's declaration that gives expression to an emerging global consensus on fundamental values and principles for a just and sustainable world. The Earth Charter seeks to promote awareness of the major challenges and choices facing humanity. It recognizes that in the midst of great diversity we live in an increasingly interdependent world and that a global partnership involving civil society, business, and government is essential. It is an urgent call for the changes in life style, institutional practice, and public policy required to protect the larger living world and to ensure a better future for all. In September of 2001 the Board of the Authority recommended that TRCA staff be directed to explore the Earth Charter as a framework for sustainability, including discussions with the Authority's municipal partners and constituents as appropriate, and report back to the Watershed Management Advisory Board. On this basis, a cross-organizational staff team was formed to explore the Earth Charter. principles and their relevancy and applicability to the TRCA's programs and activities. The team included Anthony Ketchum, Lisa King, Tim Feher, Brian Byrnes, Bernie Mcintyre, Adele Freeman, Ken Towle, Brian Dundas, David Green, Chandra Sharma and Allan Foster. Over a period of six meetings, staff engaged in meaningful discussion and debate about the principles and clauses that particularly guide the Living City vision and TRCA programs. The benefits of undertaking this process were in the consideration of a wider notion of sustain ability values and principles that inform our work and in identifying clearer linkages between local and global issues. Some examples of particularly relevant Earth Charter principles and clauses are provided below: Principle 1: Respect Earth and life in all its diversity. A) Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has a value regardless of its worth to human beings. J RF:PORl # ¿ '- 2 1 - 0 "1- 192 Meaning: The Living Gity vision recognizes the intrinsic value of all beings as part of the web of life. The TAGA's terrestrial natural heritage program values biologically diverse habitat as the support system tor diverse life forms, rather than focussing on rare or endangered species. It recognizes the interdependence between many species and natural elements that comprise complex ecosystems. Principle 6: Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection, and when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary principle. A) Take action to avoid the possibility of serious or irreversible environmental harm even when scientific knowledge is incomplete or inconclusive. Meaning: Serious and complex issues such as global climate change are difficult to accurately model and predict. However, we must make sound decisions with future generations in mind, and take immediate action using the best information available to prevent drastic changes to the earth's climate. The TRGA uses and applies environmental science as a cornerstone of its work. We recognize that ecological information is complex rather than finite, and we rely on a combination of traditional wisdom, community opinion and science. When information is limited or complex we apply a precautionary environment-first approach. Principle 8: Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired. G) Ensure that information of vital importance to human health and environmental protection including genetic information, remains available in the public domain. Meaning: The TRGA understands that a healthy natural environment-is the fundamental basis for the health and well being of all living creatures including humans and their communities. On this basis our work helps to advance public knowledge about the links between health and the environment, central to a Living Gity Region. 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. A) Eliminate discrimination in all of its forms, such as that based on race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, religion, language, and national ethnic or social origin. Meaning: This principle and clause provide a code of conduct for actively ensuring and pursuing diversity and equity both within the TRGA human resources policies towards staff and in terms of outreach to the community. Our multi-cultural stewardship education program is an active implementation example. Principle 14: Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values and skills needed for a sustainable way of life. ATTACHMEi'JT#L TO REPORT # é L 7. er - ()"7-- - 193 B) Promote the contribution of the arts and humanities, as well as the sciences in sustainability education. . Meaning: Not only do the arts and humanities provide different modes of learning e.g. story telling, arts and drama, they also are essential to interdisciplinary education. Interdisciplinary education is the basis of education for sustainable living because it encourages a deeper understanding and awareness of issues across economics, science, environment etc. The TACA will continue to use the Earth Charter as a framework for action towards sustainability. As described in the examples above, the Earth Charter principles help us to reflect on our accomplishments and identify new directions. The Earth Charter can be used in many valuable ways as described below. . an educational tool for developing understanding of the critical choices facing humanity and the urgent need for commitment to a sustainable way of life . an invitation to individuals, institutions, and communities for internal reflection on fundamental attitudes and ethical values governing behaviour . . a catalyst for multi-sectoral, cross-cultural, and interfaith dialogue on global ethics and the direction of globalization . a call to action and guide to a sustainable way of life that can inspire commitment, cooperation, and change . an integrated ethical framework for creating sustainable development policies and plans at all levels . a values framework for assessing progress towards sustainability and for designing professional codes of conduct and accountability systems . a soft law instrument that provides an ethical foundation for the ongoing development of environmental and sustainable development law. . As a soft law document, the Earth Charter in no way obligates any group, organization or individuals to it in any legal fashion to adhere to it, but rather should be .used to spur dialogue and reflection about our situation on Earth. The Earth Charter has been endorsed by 5314 organizations thus far. In Canada these include the City of North Vancouver and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (includes Toronto office), United Nations Association in Canada, Transformative Leaning Centre of Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE Toronto), Moose Deer Point First Nations, L'Education au service de la terre and others. Global cities include Berkeley, California; Melbourne, Australia; Urbino, Italy; Glasgow, UK; and others. Seventeen cities in the state of Vermont recently endorsed the Earth Charter with an overwhelming positive response. 1.94 c, I Rb'ORT # ¿ t - Z Cf ~ 0'-- RATIONALE The Earth Charter supports and enhances the Conservation Foundation's Living City Vision: TRCA is a leader in making a Living City Region with healthy rivers and shorelines, biodiversity supported by a network of greenspace and people committed to sustainable living. Sustainable Living Through Education is identified as one of the three primary objectives of the Living City campaign and the 2001 business plan. The Living City vision recognizes that achieving sustainability will depend ultimately on changes in behaviour and lifestyles, changes that will need to be motivated by a shift in values and rooted in the cultural and moral precepts upon which behaviour is predicated. This greater understanding joins the Earth Charter and the Living City in a universal approach to achieving sustainability in the Greater Toronto Area and abroad. DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE Following the Board s endorsement of the Earth Charter the following Next Steps will be undertaken: 1. The TACA will inform the Earth Council in Costa Rica of this endorsement. 2. The Earth Charter will be circulated among TRCA business units for further internal discussion about its sustainability valùes and principles, about ways that the Earth Charter could assist and inform their work and about opportunities to disseminate the charter externally. Members of the staff team will be available to help facilitate these sessions. The purpose will be to promote further dialogue and dissemination of the Charter principles in- house. 3. The Earth Charter will be disseminated to watershed councils and alliances for their consideration for both education and endorsement for their own uses. 4. TACA staff will be available upon request to facilitate sessions or speak to other partners including ember municipalities about the Charter. 5. The TACA will incorporate the Earth Charter onto its web site as a link. Examples of TRCA's application of the Charter may include Education for Sustainable Living programming, the Environmental Management System and Employee Code of Conduct. Other opportunities will be identified through further internal review. FUTURE BENEFITS The Earth Charter provides one example of a linkage to the international sustain ability agenda to inform local and regional issues and solutions. Public dialogue around sustainability principles is the primary intent of the Earth Charter and is encouraged by the TACA to make full use of this important document. The principles inform the underlying assumptions and intent of the Living City objectives and TACA programs. By using the Earth Charter as a framework and a resource, it creates a common foundation to move towards a more sustainable society. \", l ¡{EPORT # L¿ 2" '7 - C.l .L.....- - FINANCIAL DETAILS There are no financial impacts. Report prepared by: Lisa King, extension 5386 For Information contact: Lisa King, extension 5386 Date: June 3, 2002 Explore the Earth Charter web site for more information: http://www.earthcharter.org 195 196 ,,-\fTACH('j I ¿L ')..e:¡- Oz- .' THE EARTH CHARTER PREAMBLE. We stand at.o8 critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its. future. As th~ 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 mids of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth commu!1ity 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 Ea.rth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to futú,re 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 dominånt 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 risl 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 bas 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 forg 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 thè.local and global are linked. Everyone shares responsibility for the present \ ! ¡'J: / ~ : ,;. ¿ L 2. 1 ~ 01-- IT - ..,....-. 197 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 humar 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 orall individuals, organizations, businesses, governments, and transnational institutions is to be guided and assessed. PRINCIPLES I. RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LIFE 1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity. a. Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardles~ its worth to human beings. b. Affirm faith in the inherent dignity of all human beings and in the intellectual, artistic, ethi and spiritual potential of humanity. 2. Care for th.e community of life with understanding, compassion, and love. a. Accept that with the right to own, manage, and use natural resources comes the duty to prevent environmental harm and to protect the rights of people. b. Affirm that with increased freedom, knowledge, and power comes increased responsibil, to promote the common good. 3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful. a. £nsl..[re that communities at all levels guarantee human rights and fundamental freedom and proyide everyone an opportunity to realize his or her full potential. b. Promote social and economic justice, enabling all to achieve a secure and meaningful livelihood that is ecologically responsible. 4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations. a. Recognize that the freedom of action of each generation is qualified by the needs of futL generations. b. Transmit to future generations values, traditions, and institutions that support the long-t€ flourishing of Earth's human and ecological communities. : 'In order to fulfill these four broad commitments, it is necessary to: II. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY 5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life. a. Adopt at all levels sustainable development plans and regulations that make environme¡ conservation and rehabilitation integral to all development initiatives, b. Establish and safeguard viable nature and biosphere reserves, including wild lands and marine areas, to protect Earth's life support systems, maintain biodiversity, and preserve natural heritage. . c, Promote the recovery of endangered species and ecosystems. AT1ACH!"H:(\j . HHI ¿ L.-- 29 - cJ 2- 198 d. Control and eradicate non-native or genetically modified organisms harmful to native species and the environment, and prevent introduction of such harmful organisms. e. Manage the use of renewable resources Buch as water, soil, forest products, and marim life in ways that do not exceed rates of regeneration and that protect the health of ecosystems. f. Manage the extraction and use of non-renewable resources such as minerals and fossil fuels in ways that minimize depletion and cause no serious environmental damage. 6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach. a. Takè action to avoid the possibility of serious or irreversible environmental harm even w scientific knowledge is incomplete or inconclusive. b. Place the burden of proof on those who argue that a proposed activity will not cause sigf!íficant harm, and make the responsible parties liable for environmental harm. c. Ensure that decision making addresses the cumulative, long-term, indirect, long distanci and global consequences of human activities. d, Prevent pollution of any part of the environment and allow no build-up of radioactive, tox or other hazardous substances. e. Avoid military activities damaging to the environment. 7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption; and reproduction that safeguard Earth~ regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being. a. Reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials used in production and consumption systems, and ensure that residual waste can be assimilated by ecological systems. b. Act with restraint and efficiency when using energy, and rely increasingly on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. c. Promote the development, adoption, and equitable transfer of environmentally sound technologies. d. Internalize the. full environmental and social costs of goods and services in the selling pr and enable consumers to identify products that meet the highest social and environment standards. e. Ensure universal access to health care that fosters reproductive health and responsible reproduction. f. Adopt lifestyles that emphasize the quality of life and material sufficiency in a finite world, 8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and widE application of the knowledge acquired. a. Support intemational scientific and technical cooperation on sustain ability, with special attentiçn to the needs of developing nations. b. Reciognize and preserve the traditional knowledge and spiritual wisdom in all cultures th contribute to environmental protection and human well-being. c. Ensure that information of vital importance to human health and environmental protectio including genetic information, remains available in the public domain. ," , III. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE " . 9. Eradicate i:ioverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative. a. Guåtantee the right to potable water, clean air, food security, uncontaminated soil, shelt and ~afe sanitation, allocating the national and international resources required. b. Empower every human being with the education and resources to secure a sustainable livelihood, and provide social security and safety nets for those who are unable to suppo themselves. c. Recognize the ignored, protect the vulnerable, serve those who suffer, and enable them develop their capacities and to pursue their aspirations. I *i;.¿.~.. 29- o£.- 199 10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human developme in an equitable and sustainable manner. a. Promote the equitable distribution of wealth within nations and among nations. b. Enhance the intellectual, financial, technical, and social resources of developing nations and relieve them of onerous international debt. c. Ensure that all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protection, and progressive labor standards. d. Require multinational corporations and international financial organizations to act transparently in the public good, and hold them accountable for the consequences of the actiVities. 11. Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ens universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity. a. Secure the human rights of women and girls and end all violence against them. b. Promote the active participation of women in all aspects of economic, political, civil, SOCI and cultural life as full and equal partners, decision makers, leaders, and beneficiaries. c. Strengthen families and ensure the safety and loving nurture of all family members. 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 inqigenous peoples and minorities. a, Eliminate discrimination in all its forms, such as that based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, language, and national, ethnic or social origin. b. Affirm the right of indigenous peoples to their spirituality, knowledge. lands and resourCE and to their related practice of sustainable livelihoods. c, Honòr and support the young people of our communities, enabling them to fulfill their essential role in creating sustainable societies. d. Protect and restore outstanding places of cultural and spiritual significance. , ,.' IV. DEMOCRACY, NONVIOLENCE, AND PEACE 13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to just a. Uphold the right of everyone to receive clear and timely information on environmental matters and all development plans and activities which are likely to affect them or in whic they have an interest. b. Support local, regional and global civil society, and promote the meaningful participation all interested individuals and organizations in decision making. c. Protect the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, association, an dissent. d. Institute effective and efficient access to administrative and independent judicial procedures, including remedies and redress for environmental harm and the threat of su harm. e. Eliminate corruption in alf public and private institutions. t Strengthen local communities, enabling them to care for their environments, and assign environmental responsibilities to the levels of government where they can be carried out most effectively. 14. Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life. . a. Provide all, especially children and youth, with educational opportunities that empower them to contribute actively to sustainable development. b. Promote the contribution of the arts and humanities as well as the sciences in sustainab eduCf3tion. e AliACHj'd::X / ¿t '2 q - 01..--- 200 c. Enhance the role of the mass media in raising awareness of ecological and social challenges. d, Recognize the importance of moral and spiritual education for sustainable living. 15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration. a. Prevent cruelty to animals kept in human societies and protect them from suffering. b. Protect wild animals from methods of hunting, trapping, and fishing that cause extreme, prolonged, or avoidable suffering. c. A void or eliminate to the full extent possible the taking or destruction of non-targeted species. 16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace. a. Encourage and support mutual understanding, solidarity, and cooperation among all peoples and within and among nations. b. Implement comprehensive strategies to prevent violent conflict and use collaborative prob1em solving to manage and resolve environmental conflicts and other disputes. c. Demílitarize national security systems to the level of a non-provocative defense posture, and convert mílitary resources to peaceful purposes, including ecological restoration, d. Eliminate nuclear, biological, and toxic weapons and other weapons of mass destructior e. Ensure that the use of orbital and outer space supports environmental protection and peace. f. Recognize that peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with onese/~ other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part. THE WAY FORWARD As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning. Such renewal is the promise of these Earth Charter principles. To fulfill this promise, we must commit ourselves to adopt and promote the values and objectives of the Charter. This requires a change of mind and heart. It requires a new sense of global interdependence and universal responsibility. We must imaginatively develop and apply the vision of a sustainable way of life locally, nationally, regionally, and globally. Our cultural diversity is a precious heritage and different cultures will find their own distinctive ways to realize the vision. We must deepen and expand the global dialogue that generated the Earth Charter, for we have much to learn from the ongoing collaborative search for truth and wisdom. Life often involves tensions between important values. This can mean difficult choices. However, we must find ways to harmonize diversity with unity, the exercise of freedom w the common good, short-term objectives with long-term goals. Every individual, family, organization, and community has a vital role to play. The arts, sciences, religions, educational institutions, media, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and governments are all called to offer creative leadership. The partnership of government, civil society, and business is essential for effective governance. In order to build a sustainable global community, the nations of the world must renew the commitment to the United Nations, fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements, and support the implementation of Earth Charter principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development. p,TTACHIV¡Et\!" ft..(. n ¿t- 29--0'2- 201 Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, am the joyful celebration of life. .