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.
Wemust 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 beingundermined.
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 andtechnology 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 tolive 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 andkinship 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 asa common standard by which the conduct of all 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 regardless of its
worth to human beings.
b....