by Jan Roberts

Climate change is not solely an environmental problem.  It has been deeply and profoundly influenced by a complex set of human and societal values and behaviors that affect economic, social and political policies and practices.  The Earth Charter recognizes the interdependence of all these factors and provides a comprehensive framework for addressing climate change and its diverse effects on people’s lives, societies and the planet itself.

Climate change interconnects with the Earth Charter’s sixteen principles for social and economic justice, ecological integrity, democracy, nonviolence and peace.   The most effective strategy for reducing and halting the negative effects of climate change encompasses all of these principles[1].  A synopsis on the interconnection of climate change and its effects with a sampling of the Earth Charter principles that addresses those affects follows:

1.       Social & Economic Justice

Climate Change Effect: According to the World Health Organization, public health depends on safe drinking water, sufficient food, secure shelter, and good social conditions, which are all affected by a changing climate. The health effects are likely to be overwhelmingly negative, particularly in the poorest communities. Over three billion people in poor communities rely on solid fuels (e.g. dung, wood, agricultural residues, charcoal, coal) for their basic energy needs, which cause high levels of indoor air pollution. Water shortages, rising sea levels and droughts aggravate water and food insecurity that already exists and displace people from their homes. Temperature and moisture shifts promote migration and increases in disease carrying insects.  Crop failures will increase food costs; severe weather events will disrupt food distribution and transportation.  Anxiety and stress about increased food and energy costs and home displacements negatively affect the wellbeing of all families. 

Earth Charter Principles:

Climate Change Effect: Economic doctrine that favors growth and short-term profits over the needs of people and the planet contributes to economic and social inequity and the depletion of Earth’s natural resources. Reliance on polluting, fossil-fueled industries and transportation modes promotes physical destruction of forests and wild habitat areas for coal mining and oil extraction.

Earth Charter Principles:

2.       Ecological Integrity

Climate Change Effect: Climate change is directly related to human consumption and production of energy.  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Feb.2007) reported that 90 percent of man-made emissions from burning of fossil fuels was the major cause of global warming. Industrialized countries need to continue to take the lead in this effort. Climate change destroys viable nature and biosphere reserves, including wild lands and marine areas, Earth’s life support systems biodiversity, species and ecosystems

Earth Charter Principles:

3.       Democracy, Nonviolence & Peace

Climate Change Effect: When there is a lack of transparency, accountability, and citizens’ participation in governance, decision-making, the wellbeing of the people and the planet is negatively affected. People must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their wellbeing from the selection of seeds by Africa farmers to land use by community residents to choice of government leaders by the citizens.

Earth Charter Principle:

Climate Change Effect: War and military activities dramatically destroy people and the planet’s natural resources. Regional, national and international conflicts and aggressions occur when access to basic food, water and safe shelter is disrupted and natural resources are depleted. Civil unrest emerges with the influx of climate disaster refugees even in industrialized nations

Earth Charter Principles:

Summary

The Earth Charter is a global Declaration of Interdependence founded on a universal commitment to and responsibility for sustaining the planet for all people, the greater community of life and future generations. It provides a transformational framework and guide for moving beyond separatist thinking and silos to address climate change and to build a sustainable global community.  The Earth Charter is bold, courageously optimistic and hopeful; it is the way forward

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, and the joyful celebration of life. (From the Earth Charter: The Way Forward).

Earth Charter U.S.

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[1] The Earth Charter’s principles in this paper are a sampling, to read the16 principles go to www.earthcharterus.org

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