| "The Earth Flag is my symbol Margaret Mead, March 1977 I THEREFORE PLEDGE to live, work and act in a loving, respectful way towards this Earth that I call home, and towards all who live upon it, every insect, animal, fish, bird, plant, human and tree. In honour of this pledge, I commit myself to the following : TO LIVE simply, resisting the urge to overpurchase and avoiding the purchase of things the production of which I know to have involved social or environmental harm. TO EAT wholesome food produced locally by organic methods, and to minimize my consumption of food which I know to have involved cruelty to animals or other environmental harm. TO CONDUCT myself in a harmonious, peaceable manner, avoiding selfish or arrogant behaviour, giving love and kindness to those around me. TO TRAVEL where possible by foot, skate, bike, transit, train or carpool, and to minimize my use of the automobile, reducing my contribution to global warming, air pollution, stress and danger. TO WORK at an activity which brings me fulfilment, and which contributes to the increased wellbeing and harmony of the Earth, and its many people, plants and creatures. TO INVEST my savings in a socially responsible manner, supporting projects and businesses which seek to benefit nature and humanity, minimizing their physical impact on the Earth. TO AVOID the use of chemical drugs, pesticides, fertilizers or cleaning products which I suspect to be harmful to human, animal or plant life, and to use instead natural alternatives which have been created for this purpose. TO STUDY the details of issues or topics that attract me, so that I can act in a useful, well-informed manner and make a valuable contribution in my chosen field. TO EXPLORE the realities of people, species and ecosystems outside this country, that I may better understand the hopes and difficulties of those with whom I share the Earth. TO PROTEST those activities which I consider to be harmful to the present or future wellbeing of the Earth, and its many people, plants and creatures. TO SUPPORT those whom I consider to be working in a worthy and committed way for the future wellbeing of the Earth, and its many people, plants and creatures. TO JOIN with others who are working for similar goals, so that I can contribute my gifts, enjoy the gifts that come with fellowship, and fulfil the dream of the Earth. SIGNED : ____________________________ WITNESSED :___________________________ NAME : ___________________________ DATE : __________________________
"........something that we must hold in our arms and care for." ***** About the author Guy Dauncey is an author, organizer and sustainable communities consultant who specializes in developing a positive vision of an environmentally sustainable future, and translating that vision into action. He is the author of Stormy Weather : 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change (New Society Publishers, July 2001), and A Sustainable Energy Plan for the US (Earth Island Journal, August 2003). He is also the publisher of EcoNews (a monthly newsletter), co-founder of the Victoria Car-Share Cooperative, and a consultant in ecovillage and green building development. He lives in Victoria, on the west coast of Canada. His website is www.earthfuture.com First published in Earthfuture: Stories from a Sustainable World. (New Society Publishers, 1999). |
