Third Draft of the Declaration
Global warming is the crisis of our time.
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s birthday, we renew our commitment to the qualities and values that have guided our nation for more than 200 years.
Today, we recognize that patriotism is not only about love of country. It is also about a shared commitment to the welfare of our planet.
Future generations will judge us based on our success or failure to be good stewards of the Earth. We owe our children and our children’s children nothing less than our very best effort.
We the undersigned, pledge to:
- Recognize that we live in a time of crisis. We must be active and forceful in bringing about the necessary changes -- based on science, not politics -- to stop global warming, no matter how difficult that may be.
- Be active citizens, by pressing our elected officials to take urgent action now, and by pressing all candidates for office to commit to passing strong legislation to cut America's global warming pollution.
- Spread the word, by making sure our friends, neighbors and loved ones recognize that each of us has a role to play in meeting this all-important challenge.
- Be mindful consumers, by minimizing our personal global warming “footprint" and weighing our personal choices against the needs and rights of future generations.
This nation's founders risked everything to realize a new relationship between government and the governed. We must now do whatever is necessary to realize a new relationship with the web of life that includes and sustains us.
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695 comments:
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One day our children may well ask us if we knew. Did we know the severity and consequences of global warming. We will have no choice but to answer 'yes' and face the horrifying next question: 'then how could you possibly let this happen to us?'
Our small, blue sphere is ONE ecosystem. Every thing, from small to large, is connected in the web of life, and every harm done to the least of the inhabitants of the earth, is done to us all.
We need united leadership to make this happen. One person, one group, one simple message. No leadership is coming from Washington. None of the candidates are making this a priority because of the damned Iraq war. Climate Change or Global Warming was not even on the list sent to me by the Dmocratic Senate Majority Committee with Edward Kennedy's name on it. Everything on that list is emportant, but not as important as Global Change. Right now I'm a lot more interested in drowning polar bears than anything else, and that is where I will put my election efforts and my vote, with THAT leadership. Thanks, Nancy H
As big business runs the world, and governs the politics of the world, its too late to change anything.
The only way the out of control, lack of concern for the world can be reversed, is through revolution.
Mother earth will heal herself, unfourtunatly, none of us we be here to see it happen.
Any solution must involve four groups. The Politicians in Washington, the energy companies, business/industry, and MOST IMPORTANT, the AMERICAN CONSUMER. We like to believe we are intelligent and naturally do the right things, but we aren’t. We are basically economically driven. Changing costs is what we must do to change our habits.
The Justified Energy Development Initiative (JEDI) fund is a “mandatory contribution” when purchasing gasoline or diesel fuel. The JEDI fund is about accelerating energy efficiency and alternative energy technologies and will cause Americans to make "better" decisions about energy.
The JEDI fund will be used to develop alternative energy sources - 35%, support mass transit systems – 20%, improve highways and railroad infrastructure – 10%, help those caught in this cost shift – 25% going to 0, and redevelop urban areas – 10% going to 35%. We need a major kick in the pocketbook.
The mandatory contribution would be a $1.50/gal and rise $0.50/yr over 7 years. This sets a long term program and everybody can see it. Researchers can get serious, car makers can plan their products and the public can start to plan their lives. It will be a Federal contribution with Secretaries of Energy, Transportation and Interior being responsible to administer.
We consumed 140,416,000,000 gallons of gasoline in 2005 (1.25 gallons per day for every man, woman and child)! Currently the Federal tax is $0.18/gal yielding $26 B in revenues. http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/quickfacts/quickoil.html At $1.50/gal tax, we collect $211B dollars. The American people will accept this, only if they see it going to create energy independence and a better world. I am not a politician, so I can’t "sell" this. Lastly, to keep control (the bureaucrat’s hands off) of the money, we must strictly allocate it with public oversight. The public must see progress.
Talk about this! It is about getting fit and healthy; never easy, but we all know it is right.
This same principle can be extended into other forms of energy, like electricity. If you want the economics to work, then tax for fossil fuel produced energy. This make the public want and demand alternative forms that now become lower cost solutions. This is how you make a difference on this Planet!
EcoV Electric when charged off the sun has zero carbon foot print, zero impact on the enviroment and it is a real transportation solution for city/urban drivers AND saves you money!
Best Regards
Richard Marks
President
EnVironmental Transportation Solutions, LLC
Detroit, MI
313-717-4321
www.EcoVElectric.com
http://EcoVElectric.blogspot.com
Think not only of yourself, but of the ground you walk on. The earth is our home, naturally we should take care of it.
The world is being run by money. The people of the earth spend money everyday. If we every expect to change things we must all vote with our dollars and our food choices.
www.earthvoicefoodchoice.com
Todd Winant
Try practicing Nichiren Buddhism. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo teaches us our environment is our responsibility and change always has to begin with the self. It teaches us we need to look to our own neighborhoods and homes to make a change. If we all took care of our part of the block we would not be in this mess. Charity begins in the home.
Make it manditory for all new commercial and residential buildings to be green and have either solar or wind power. That would help boost the green businesses.
This is a test, not only of the unity of our nation and our ability to transcend our immidiate wants and needs, but of our ethical dedication to the environment, to life on earth, and to future generations.
Envision nothing less than a beautiful and healthy planet that provides for all of our needs. Hold that vision and act upon every opportunity that arises to ensure that reality. It can be done.
Jedi, American consumer, voting, you people need to reolize its allready too late. The politicians and big business hat is in control doesn't care !
Has anyone stepped up to the plate to support Al Gore?
Revolution is the only chance there is to stop and reverse anything.
Wait to vote? Wait to gain suport? How long do we wait, 5 years, 10 years?
Do we have that much time left ?
It is our right & duty as inhabitants of this planet to make sure we take care of it and each other!
All to often CONSERVATION is not mentioned in the climate change conversation - simple measures can save alot, like fewer plug-ins and more manual tools and gadgets, and slower, simplier lifestyles, though this knocks our fast buck, tech savy culture.
All generations are created equal, and no single generation has the right to borrow or steal resources from future generation to satisfy present desires.
If we can, we should. That is the least our children and grandchildren (indeed, all the children of the world) deserve.
We will make sure that environmental restrictions make sense. We understand that for true environmentalism to stand it must make sense to the general publics wallet and have an environmental gain. This means we must work exra hard to ensure that the ideas we push forth are sound.
Wimpy. Until the American public understands that they do not have a God-given right to using four times as much of the earth's resources as the average citizen of the world, nothing will happen. Manifest Destiny, as a racist and imperialist doctrine, is as strong today as it was in 1846.
I think it is extremely important to integrate ecology and environmentalism (and with it, respect for the earth) into early education. Then make sure it stays in the curriculum through high school. It is the children who will inherit this earth and they must have the motivation, knowledge and tools to deal with the mess we've made. Unfortunately the bigger picture demands that we somehow do away with poverty (how about a new WPA which focuses on environmental clean-up? Plenty of jobs there) in order for people to have hope enough to care about the future. And finally, we need corporate controls to curb damage, and their cooperation (through incentives or disincentives) to start redirecting their energy and monies towards cleaning up and protecting our precious earth and its resources.
When President Roosevelt realized he needed to end World War II rapidly he didn't waste any time creating the Manhattan Project to build nuclear wepons to end the war. We must revisit his resolve and creat a monern day Manhattan project to bear to biuld reneable energy for all of America and build elecric cars for all. In doing so we will fight global warming and break foriegn oil's lock on our economy.
We only have have ONE Planet Earth. The business interests of our government is putting our environment in jeopardy. We are on the brink of disaster and although the voices are loud and clear, those in power are looking the other way. We must think of the future now; this very moment. The callous disregard for the environment is a disgrace.
It is now time for all humans regardless of race, origin, or ethnicity to take a stand and help better the planet which we call home, our only home.
we have been given a great gift, life and the means to live it.
let us not throw this gift back in the face of the giver.
say thank you and treat it well.
If we (USA and other countries) stop killing each other and blowing up everything the "enemy" owns we could all spend our energy solving universal problems and not continue to consume resources used to rebuild what we blew up.
Life is not about ingenuity, it is really a question of integrity. We must be true to our God, ourselves and to our environment. For without truth and honesty no lasting and worthwhile changes can be brought about on our beautiful planet earth.
I really like this third draft. I think you've done it!
Joyce@greenseniors.org
www.greenseniors.org
There is a Native American proverb that says "We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, but we borrow it from our children."
Save the Earth that rightfully belongs to them!!
Be the change you wish to see in the world...
The environment of the earth can no longer be thought of as a seperate entity from the human form. Scientific proof shows that the Earth and all organic and inorganic material exist as one living element. The air, water, soil, and all other chemical compounds exist in a state of symbiosis. When one element changes, it effects another.
Government, scientists, and consumers must form an alliance and promote the logical next steps of existence: living in balance.
Change is a constant. Time moves forward. We can not go back, but we can take solid, logical, mindful steps forward using new methods and new approachs to old problems. Humans of all positions, not just Government, need to be part of the solution. Every choice effects something else on this planet. Political reform, scientific adjudication, and consumer response are the only ways real change can happen. History proves this.
As the old saying goes, "put your money where your mouth is" and start to "be the change you wish to see in the world." Vote with your conscience, purchase products that are less harmful, and become more informed on scientific issues. Change begins in you, and reverberates out from you to others.
Always try to reuse what ever you buy at least twice.
There needs to be strong regulation on industry to comply with stronger mandatory rules and laws.
A couple years ago a retired electrical engineer stuck 18 motorcycle batteries in the trunk of his Prius and gets 250 miles per gallon. What happened to him?
Why are European cars getting better mileage? Why do we have to wait 20 or 30 years for the industry to figure out how to get 250 miles per gallon?
Why aren't we using more solar and wind to generate power?
We have the technology to switch to this type of REAL carbon reducing policies right now and we aren't demanding it from our elected representatives.
Our earth is 4.55 billion years old and we have put it on the road to destruction in just over 100 years. Let's secure a plan to reverse the damage we have done for all future generations.
Pledge to restore the Commons and support efforts toward community sovereignty and independence. Only by banding together in the best interest of EVERYONE in our communities will we be able to act effectively to survive and repair the damage that has been done to the earth. Every decision made by any individual or group must be viewed and acted on based on the impact to the local cummunity, as well as the earth as a whole.
Once there were cedars in Sinai, now it is desert. Once there were trees on Easter Island, now there is only grass. Once California had huge forests and wetlands, now it is drying up. The fires might remove what is left. Colorado gets 1/3rd the snowfall it did 100 years ago. The glaciers are vanishing. We shall be reviled by our prodgeny if we do nothing. Too many avert their eyes, dreaming of a fabled heaven, instead of protecting what beauty and bounty we have in our hands.
The words are good but they lack a specific target. They don't say anything about how strong the legislation should be and so on. I think this can be fixed by adding a target of a reduction of GHG emissions in the US by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050 and by 30% by 2020.
Every person on the planet needs to begin seeing our daily actions and decisions through the filter of energy conservation awareness.
I don't really need to drive to town today, I'll make one trip later this week. Do these clothes really need to be washed in hot water? Can I use this warm bath water to wash something before draining it? This bagel is good untoasted too. Can I leave the AC on if I just turn on a fan? This water is still boiling even if I turn down the flame.
Little changes from each of us is what it will take to beat this. It isn't someone else's problem. We each own it.
First, we need to elect leaders who are actually scientific literate, who understand the fact of global warming, who are determined to raise fuel standards to reflect that, and who are knowledgable enough to recognize that we must protect wildlife, the climate, and the oceans if we want to preserve these things for our decendants.
Normally, we make policies through incremental change. With the impending environmental crisis, we must recognize that radical change is necessary. If we do not embrace radical changes in our consumption and energy use, then it will be too late.
I have been suggesting all over that we should reinstate the program that was used during WWII... cars should be given days on which they can ride (Mon, Wed, Fri or Tues, Thurs, Sat) and then only if there are two or more passengers in the car...Ethel
We must honour the miracles of human creativity, human intelligence and the planet on which they have evolved. We must have the wisdom and courage to accept what they are telling us and the courage to act. We must have the wisdom to understand that there is no escape from choices. Every action (and inaction) is a choice and that time marches only forward, so we are stepping into the unknown, no matter what we choose. We must own our choices and have the wisdom, foresight and courage to make choices that honour our planet, all of the people who have come before us, all of those who will come after and ourselves. We must have faith, but not blind faith. We must have the fortitude to face the changes and inconveniences that may seem large today, in the knowledge that they will soon become imperceptible and, even, preferable. Above all, we must have the courage of our convictions.
Where is the support for the infrastructure that's necessary for alternatives to gasoline? Bio diesel is usable and available NOW, to use in current diesel vehicles! Where is the move to make it widely available on the road?
We must be more conscientious in choosing our nation’s leaders. The current President in office is the most absurd choice as our President! We need to commit to working toward voting for those who will work diligently for environmental healing. We must make it impossible for any other outcome by working for that goal with profound effort.
Going Green must be affordable.
Being cost effective over a number of years is not good enough when the start-up costs are unattainable.
Each day the foil discarded as Hershey's kisses wrapping equals miles of unrecycled metal.
Each of us can make a huge difference in the little ways we help the planet each day.
Whatever is done must be done systemically-which means recognizing that everything is connected to everything else-thus looking at the environment as a whole, not piecemeal.
It is not just future generations that will suffer for the irresponsibility of consumers, corporations and governments. At this very moment those who are politically and economically disenfranchised are dealing with the consequences of environmental irresponsibility. The poor in Africa and Bangladesh are the first to suffer the effects of climate change and the wars that come with natural resource scarcity. The poor in developed as well as developing countries suffer from high rates of cancer and asthma because of the waste that is stored near them. This is not merely a question of having a beautiful world in the future or even of future survival. It is a question of survival in the present for many people and it is a question of justice.
Would it not help to put 80% reduction by 2050 or some guiding number to help the statement not be another mushy pledge that anyone could sign without necessarily doing or committing to doing anything beyond "what feels right".?.
I think the Declaration idea is a great one, just wanted to check-in on that.
-Dennis
We Need To change what we do everyday and use less thing to not harm the earth
Changing one little thing will make a difference
Let Take Care Of Whats Now Then After Let the next generation enjoy The World
Not only is it in our national seurity interest to wean ourselves from fossil fuels, but it is our moral responsibility to be stewards of the planet. The evidence is irrefutable-we need to set bold goals, not just incremental ones. Our elected representatives need to show some courage as opposed to worrying about he next election.
Put pressure on the mainstream media to report on all the magnet free-energy devices and on all the various HHO gas production from water devices being reported on freeenergynews.com (i.e. perendev-power.com, steorn.com, etc.). Stop the conspiracy of silence on these paradigm shifting developments and force the mainstream academics to revise their theories based on these proven experimental results.
It will only be through the blend of each individual's good stewardship to the planet that we will realize the synchonicity & harmony of everyone's performance in the human race to end global warming & our own destruction. It is a no-brainer to choose our environment over money, but for some, greed will be our undoing. Let's choose wisely.
Your declaration is an anachronism: "out of the times", disconnected from the current of events: we're killing people around the world now with munitions rather than talk with them about their grievances, so pleading with our leaders not to kill people in the distant future is out of joint. I'd therefore suggest your first sentence be, "In these times where we lash out in our insecurity at imagined enemies and abandon our legal processes to chicanery, we need to recover a sense of what security is: an involvement in our community and environment that divulges to us what is the priority for change, what is less so, and what is just to be accepted meekly--for only the ignorant and frightened uphold impossible ideals, and only the truly desperate sacrifice the world's well-being for the small minority's imagined 'security' in pursuit of these mad schemes."
Education is crucial , starting from kindergarten ( as well as home)...Kids learn if the values of water, paper , resources are explained! I save every drop of everything that I do not absolutly need, recycle every plastic , every can and drive calculating distances and directions for eficiencies! I do it for my grandchildren!
We ALL have to stay away from further deforestation and space abusing homes....WE cannot "take it all with us " when leaving naked!!
Please help the wildlife and be kind to the plannet!
I would change this: "we renew our commitment to the qualities and values that have guided our nation for more than 200 years."
Those values included growth at any cost and exploitation of people and the natural world. Those values couldn't reflect new empirical knowledge of our interdependence with everything around us (even though native cultures knew it--but our values weren't, sadly, informed by them).
A suggested change:
"...we renew our commitment to the values of independence and action that have guided our nation for more than 200 years. Realizing as never before the human impact on our planet, we newly commit ourselves to the values of interdependence and conservation, and to the pursuit of long-term sustainability over short-term gain.
We must do 3 simple, but difficult, things:
1. Reduce human population.
2. Move away from our consumer-based culture. (Quit buying so much stuff!)
3. Significantly reduce or eliminate private cars.
We might consider also pledging to:
Work to create an economy, job market, and network of business and government that is sustainable for the planet and it's people for this and future generations, by developing workplaces that support low impact lifestyles.
The highest right is respect the life of others, their right to exist. No one has the right to do the contrary.
You lost me at "patriotism".
The idea of Planned Obsolescence which came about in the 1970's has blossomed and become a part of everday American culture. This has been woven into everything we consume: processed food, telecommunications, cars, computers, watches, appliances, etc.
Unfortunately, too many of us have become 'comfortable' in excessive usage and this leads to many other things....bad relationships & friendships, inept social & math skills, personal insecurity, and yes, less concern for our health within the environment and its ecosystem.
It is too bad that many modern elected leaders are still from a generation that refuses to see all (or some) of this.
But change will come with new thinking amongst future leaders.
For now, the reality is this: Our issues with society and environment are compounding much faster vs. the replacement of those new leaders that we need.
It's time to move out of 20th Century thinking and face 21st Century reality, for a 22nd Century prosperity.
Become part of the Solution and not the Problem!
We must focus on becoming non-oil dependent. The lesson of the oil-embargo/shortages of the 1970's shows that ARAB Emirates will behave globally correct if they have to turn to other means rather than their power over oil. Do we love our SUV's more than our children? Send a soldier to protect our right to drive an oil fueled car? Buy green, drive green, insist on green, become independent of ARAB oil.(And American oil wealthy interests).
Every drop of water we drink, and every breath of air we take is not gueranteed, but a precious gift requiring our earth stewardship so that future generations may also enjoy those gifts.
We the undersigned, pledge to:
participate, to the extent possible, in raising global awareness of the climate change crisis now upon us and to work as a nation to help other countries understand the situation so that, as they develop, they adopt clean and renewable and sustainable energy sources and practices.
The media forms our (and especially our children's) opinions, ideas, and values. THEY are the ones who need to get on board and start a mass campaign to change public opinion and priorities.
It could be good if we could reclaim the words of the founders that our government is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Anyone who cannot embrace this idea has no place in government.
I lean toward Pantheism, a philosophy which believes that God is in everything living. Think about it...
We must recognize that there are such things as common property -- potable water, clean air, green areas -- that cannot and should not be quantified or charged for. Corporations cannot reduce everything to a source or profit, and must be made to pay for resources that they despoil or destroy. When true costs are reflected in products and "services" maybe people will come to their senses and realize that our way of life is not sustainable, healthy, or just.
Why??? is anyone still driving? I hear that people are concerned about climate change, but it's all talk. People seem MUCH more concerned about the price of gas! Get a bike and quit spewing disgusting car exhaust! Lazy fat-ass people!!!!
Hold businesses accountable for their impact on the environment. Withdraw support from businesses that fail to act responsibly.
Wishing it were otherwise
will not prevent
the ocean's rise.
The United States of America is the greatest threat to global peace and survival. It is not accountable to anyone but forces accountability on others through threats, intimidation, brutal warfare, bombing, and murdering people. Every SUV driven in this country is at the price of human lives. Every overindulgent comfort sapping energy supplies is at the price of human life. The United States is the culprit, the criminal. Clean your own house first.
Global warming is a serious issue, aren't our lives serious
Bring back the efficient, quiet, and successful fully electric car!
We need to remember that the world is everyone's. Common sense, common water, common land...it will all be destroyed if we do not do something.
We are at the tipping pointing, renewable energies need to come on line now.
Make the changes in your own life that you know are right, even if they seem difficult or unpleasant initially. You'll be surprised how easy it is, once you give away your TV or decide to stop buying new clothes. You are not an inborn consumer. It's incredible how you don't miss these sorts of things, and in their place, you'll find something else: a meaningful life that can be an example to others.
The only way that we can accomplish a switch from fossil fuel to renewable is to make it more attractive economically- by removing incentives to use fossil fuel and helping renewable energy be accessible. Decentralized systems for solar and wind will not be the darling of industry, but the reverse- they will fight them as they erode "big energy" profits. Some people have to be early adopters to create a demand for such equipment and reduce the price through volume production- but eventually it will need to compete head-to-head with fossil fuel.
Our great grandchildren will say, "You talked the talk, but you didn't walk the walk. Even as you learned that fossil fuels were killing us, you drove big cars and flew big planes. You continued to demand more electricity without worrying about the coal burning it required."
Sadly, the only real force for change will be when global warming affects the powerful. But, there is still trillions of dollars to be made from oil, and the almighty dollar always wins over integrity. The most vulnerable and defensless among us, children and animals, will suffer the most. As bleak as it seems, remember this. Mother Earth will spit us out and start anew.
I'm no American, but I'm a citizen of this world. One true thing is that governments have become destructive of its ends ie serving the people, and therfore serving the planet as well. We need a new revolution... this time, a revolution against absence of political will.
We need both big and small actions. We know the big actions that are needed, including getting government and industry to acknowledge and take action on global warming. But we also need to take small, individual actions: riding a bike to work, using alternate energy sources, conserving wherever possible. Because if the Web has taught us anything, it's the power of viral communication. The actions you take influence those around you. They then influence others and so on. Small steps can become big quickly.
This is an editorial suggestion and not substantive addition. I think the declartion is quite good, however it could be more active/less passive. This could be done through eliminating some of the "by..." and "ing" endings and turning them into action points. In other words, "Be active citizens: Press our elected officials..."
I think we need to remember President Kennedy's American University speech in 1963. Though he was addressing issues attending the Cold War, what he said is relevant to environmental concerns: "We all cherish our children's future; we all breathe the same air..." We need to keep those sentiments in mind as we battle for the life of this planet.
My family is carbon neutral. And we do it by buying enough land with foliage to gobble our emissions..unlike the carbon offset approach which is an illusion.
Other ideas:
1) Allow people to move closer to work without having to bump up their property tax basis. In California, that can be worth $4K-$8K a year...no one in their right mind would move.
2) Stop fighting nuclear energy and wind energy...put a moratorium on lawsuits to save birds that prevent wind farms from going in and from getting nuclear power on board...they are the only economical ways to help the US.
3) Put a carbon tax on all imports from countries that aren't being responsible...and while we are at it...put a sufficient fee to inspect every container...it is a cost of doing business elsewhere to ensure it doesn't endanger us.
4) Get an actual pie chart out with all the natural and manmade sources of ALL global warming products on it and their % contribution to the problem. Then we will stop fighting 1% solutions and go after the big red X's.
5) Reducing beef and chicken intake would do far more to help global warming than increasing mileage. Too many animals create too many carbon warming compounds...or stick sequestion units on the facilities....large carbon absorbing units with algae or.
6) China and India as well as Europe need to be address...the US doing something without China and India...we might as well go home.
7) Make the global warming models available for all to improve...add components for major elements not addressed like a) cloud height estimates that shift the entire model from warming to cooling and b) rain water estimates that we don't have the foggiest idea how correct they are...we don't measure enough worldwide to have a good model.
8) Buy the rain forests and land around and start the reforestation of these areas...they are needed as carbon sinks.
9) Looks like paper was better than plastic, even though SF decided to ban paper and now bans plastic...but more importantly, the northern forests actually add to global warming..so we need to start to take our wood resources from northern forests, not southern locations.
Time to look at the sciences...just about everything the environmentalists said to do in the 60's to early 70's was 180 degrees wrong...can we get it right this time?
This is the 21st century and we now must think globally, petty fighting between nations should be a thing of the past. We must all work together to save our home, the U.S. could be the leader in this new order if only it could get by the greed and truly realize what is important --peace, we are ONE family.
Sometimes we find ourselves thinking negative thoughts like: "I'm only one person, what difference can that make?"
Instead of doubting the difference one person can make, if we each simply vow to do our best despite the odds, we would find ourselves as a people on a miraculous road to recovery for a healthy, happier Planet Earth.
We must stop living unconsciously, and start living as though everything we do has consequences which must be considered. We must teach this way of thinking, of approaching life, in our schools, starting in nursery school, as well as in every workplace. Everything must be held up for examination, and nothing left unquestioned. We're now playing for keeps. If we don't get serious now, all will be lost, and we'll have only ourselves to blame.
Please add ".....and to future generations." to "Today, we recognize that patriotism is not only about love of country. It is also about a shared commitment to the welfare of our planet.........and to future generations."
The solutions exist: all it takes is a united effort to achieve our goal.
If only every person could make one change in their lives; change driving habits, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycle, buy local goods....We could make such a difference, we could save our great planet for future generations.
Every little bit DOES help!
"Today, we recognize that patriotism is not only about love of country. It is also about a shared commitment to the welfare of our planet."
One might add, "What are we, after all, but world citizens?" in order to found a more logical connection to the word "patriotism," which of late does not necessarily apply to new environmental restrictions... *sigh.*
And if we ever get to talking specifics, man I'd love a better public transportation network (I live in SLC and a 20 min drive = 90 min on the bus.) If the gov had spent its 571 billion in military operations on public transportation instead... WOW.
A few specific suggestions, based on comments here and my thoughts. I would also like to see a numerical target to add solidity.
Change to the Third sentence:
Future generations will judge us based on our success or failure to be good stewards of our common heritage.
Change to the second bullet:
Be active citizens, by pressing our elected officials to take urgent action now, and by pressing all candidates for office to commit to passing strong legislation to cut America's global warming pollution enough to avoid significant danger.
Change to the fourth bullet:
Be mindful consumers, by minimizing our personal global warming “footprint" and weighing our personal choices against the needs and rights of other people including future generations.
And a fifth bullet:
Remember that the little things alone are not enough. We will take ambitious actions commensurate with our aspirational goals.
I pledge to do my part to move our society along to a new future in which we are powered by contemporary energy flows derived from sunlight ( solar, wind, biomass, hydro) and from the energy of the molten core of the earth.
Please insert the following a sentence #7,
This Bush White House's Pentagon warned President Bush and Vice President Cheney in 2004 that global "climate change" was more of a "national security threat" that George Bush's "War on Terror."
......before "We the undersigned, pledge to":
We need fair taxation to support the transition to a low carbon future. Tax fossil fuels as close to the source as possible (i.e. at the mine or well, or at the point of import) and use those funds to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy.
We must also recognize that we simply must stop overconsuming. No one needs three TVs and a big hunk of beef everyday.
Richard Marks has posted today a plan for alleviating some of the problem. Mass transport planning modeled on the SCNF of France is also a beginning. Many of our cities were 'sprawled' by the automobile(what a name:could be changed to autoplunderer)and planning for urban mass transport systems challenges politicians(who are already challenged by sub-ordinary daily tasks like refusing payoffs by lobbyists).
Prediction: The autoplun-derer will price itself out of reach and planning will be almost non-existent. Result is a default 'managed' by profit. This is a grim scenario.
One of the components of our community that I do not see included in the declaration is for us to pledge to encourage business leaders to make changes. We can't always rely on the government to enforce changes within the business marketplace, but we can, as a whole, band together to influence all businesses to utilize resources more efficiently, for example, US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), which partners big businesses with several environmental groups. I feel we need to include a call to all business to dedicate themselves to sustainability.
The severity of harm to our planet is alarming. How can the powerful people of the world put forces together to stop the abuse towards our planet?. Our future is unreal if we don't have a home called earth.
It's our patriotic and our SPIRITUAL duty to care for the resources that sustain our economies and our lives. Acting on this duty preserves "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for ourselves and for future generations.
Let say a Final Call for the people of this dying fast planet;
there is no time for talking and writting to much but it is time for acting as a final chance to save the planet before it turn to another Mars. Sun has become very stron. I noticed that Europe in April was like weather on July 10 years ago. People are moving up to Canada to live because they can not live in the very ot south anymore. North porth is melting very fast and life in underwater oceans is dying because of the warmer waters. People know this but they dont understand that they have no future life because it is changing everything so fast and people are busy with their litlle life and can do anything like;
1. creating new forests.
2. creating new lakes and water chanels.
3. creating new gardens and monitoring the animals lives, number and moves and behaviurs.
4. creating country and state schools and organization to look after the change sthat happen in every part of the world in weather, record and monitor all weather and life of animals, plants,waters,air etc.
People in the world are all poisoned now not by drogs and polution of their messy life but from a new negative reaction and unusuall changes that happen now in the weather,plants and animals life, water and air, underoceans(water)life and even something coming from the sky; from the sun or other planets and stars or galaxies.People of the world still dont know what is going on and why the changes has happening so fast now and the weather has become more agresive and the life allover the planet has change; that of plants,animals,people etc.Maybe some people know but they hide the truth, but it looks like after 10 years if we dont move to change and do those 4 important thing abouve, all continents will be as Australia now where they can not even wash their cars anymore, because the dry land has killed the farms, animal and plant life and later the people life who now live only in the shores of the continent where is water and plants, living still from the exported food and goods more than producing their own.
Australia is the country which needs now to put his own people or those who are unemploy and just do nothinng in other countries, to start creating big water chanels and lakes and using the waters of the Oceans by changing and removing the salt in them first and if they do that now, maybe in 10 years the weather will change more there and will become softer and the plant,animal and people's life will return in the empty 80 % Australian- Mars like parts.
They need a New Government to do this big changes, and so needs the world, a new government, but the present one are busy with their own little faled missions.
Without changing the BIG PICTURE YOU CAN NOT CLEAN THE LITLE MESS WHO ARE PARTS OF THE BIG WORLD MESS
One need weigh the risks of acting to curn global warming against the risks of NOT acting. Do we wait and see if we were right - when it is too late, perhaps, to do what could have been done to protect ourselves and the planet we need for survival? What of the economy then? Will the nay-sayers build a ladder with their profits that will be high enough to get them to heaven?
Or do we make a pledge to create a sustainable economy as well as a sustainable environmental policy that will prevent our own destruction and perhaps even mitigate the damage already done?
It has been done before. What would have happened if we had waited until 01/01/2000 to see what might have happened instead of investing time, energy, money and brainpower addressing what might have only been a perceived threat. We may never know. What we do know, though, is that we did act globally, we did invest that time, energy, money, and brainpower, and we eliminated the threat.
And in doing so we grew new businesses and ways of storing and securing information that we might not have been innovated otherwise.
We cannot wait for a miracle of Divine intervention any more than we can wait for a miracle of technology to "just happen". We need to seek the solutions, the sooner, the better. We have everything to lose.
If you want to get everyone to help stop global warming, we also have to deal with issues which keep so many people living from hand to mouth and which distract us.
We have to end the usury being practiced by credit card companies. We have to stop them preying on young people, putting them into permanent debt.
We have to stop allowing companies to merge, eliminating competition so they can concentrate on extracting the maximum money from the consumer, rather than competing to provide the best service at the best price.
We have to restore the idea that children can do better than their parents did.
All this is important, because we are going to ask everyone to make sacrifices. We have to show that the sacrifices won't fall all on the middle and lower classes like they have so frequently in the past 20 years. Only then will we get the widespread support we need.
We either live sustainably or we die from gluttony.
Please, help Italy to save people from Campania!
I like the positive tone of the declaration.
We believe that our actions today can improve our future outcome, and that everyone must be part of the solution. Plant a garden, buy local, buy less junk, live well.
The problems of our time are interlated, environment, human rights, peace, population, even the right to life - for 18 years olds and babies. The fact is when the word "patriot" was used the flag of this area of the world was the British flag. Patiotism is not about flags or even county unless the area is willing to realize it has to do with human rights and the rights & understanding of all men & the world. We are asked now to expand our understanding of these rights to include all men, animals and the world itself. We must listen to all voices of all living things, not do as Bush has done to contract that understanding to a narrow few.
It is a very concise statement, but I think the commitment should be to conserve, recycle and expand (and utilize) public transportation. If people do these things (and federal regs require or give tax relief for these things), the result will be reduced Global Warming as well as doing the right thing for the life of the planet and the quality of life, in general.
True Patriots make sacrifices to protect the things that are held most dear.
In the history of this great country we have made extreme sacrifices in the name of Freedom. When the need arose, people stood up for change and justice.
Now as a Nation and a World we all have to stand up and make a difference. Our Planet can no longer sustain the current abuse our choices place upon it. We have an obligation to all be Patriots by re-thinking every aspect of our lives and striving for the least amount of exploitation. This includes our energy choices, how and what we consume, our food, our lifestyles and we must really think about how our choices impact not only us personally, but how they effect our community, our environment and the world as a whole.
We are at the edge of an Environmental Revolution.
We have the opportunity to re-imagine our world, making it a better place.
We all need to be a part of this.
Are you ready?
FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHY HAS NO ONE FORCED THE U.S. GOVERNMENT & MILITARY TO GIVE UP STANLEY MEYER'S WATER FUEL CELL PATENT???!!! Meyer found an efficient way to convert water to fuel. He did it in the 1980s and drove his water car across the country! The U.S. government & military took his invention (supposedly for national security reasons) and after Meyer was murdered his patented invention still has not been released. We've had pollution free energy for years, but our government has kept it from us. Now is the time when our planet is in such a dire state that it should take precedence over national security worries.
Throughout history, people are rarely faulted for being too bold in facing a crisis. This crisis calls for major shifts in investment in our economy toward conservation and renewables. Move the subsidies from oil and gas and nuclear to research and development in renewables. Substitute a carbon tax for some or all of current income taxes. Institute carbon caps. Mandate big increases in vehicle fuel economy; if standards had been increased steadily since the 1980's, the U.S. automakers would be competitive today. Being bold is the only way to shift the economy to be competitive with other modern nations in the industries that will be the heart of the economy in coming decades. We can do no less for our children and grandchildren, not to mention the rest of life on this amazing planet.
I have a BIG IDEA! A soultion that may solve the problem we face today as a nation.
I agree with Mr. Rich Marks Comment. "Any solution must involve four groups. The Politicians in Washington, the energy companies, business/industry, and MOST IMPORTANT, the AMERICAN CONSUMER."
My idea will involve all four groups! The main source of our problem seems to be that no one knows how to control CO2 emmissions.
No one knows what to do regarding carbon dioxide emissions. The energy industry is confused and should be very careful of the path that it chooses regarding how to handle the challenge of overcoming CO2 emissions.
Some companies want to pump CO2 emissions into the heart of our planet, or into our ocean waters; while others are just clueless on the subject and have not idea how to control emissions. The energy industry is confused, and I am writing you to shed some light on the subject.
Why throw Carbon Dioxide away, when it can be utilized for power? It’s a free industrial by product. We produce it everyday. Why not use it? Carbon Dioxide can be consumed to produce alternative fuels, and many other by-products that can be sold for market sale. For example, Plastics, other gasoline additives, antifreezes, fertilizers, adhesives, solvents, synthetic rubbers/fibers, & explosives are all useful by-products produced from this process. Trace Minerals can be removed & extracted for useful medicinal products.
If you think about it, Carbon Dioxide emitted from power plants is emitted and high temperatures. The hot gas can be cooled into liquid and can be used for commercial purposes. The carbon dioxide that we naturally produce everyday is worth money. C
arbon dioxide can be captured & consumed for methanol production; fixing carbon particles into many useful by-products for market sale.
The object is to capture the remaining CO2 emissions before discharging it into the atmosphere, and converting into a gasoline by-product, selling it in the market for profit—delaying the discharge of emission through the consumers’ automobiles; creating a win – win enterprise for large Power compaines. Every power company should be in favor of this system.
How much power/energy does America really want? It would be so abundant that America will never have the need for oil ever again.
Picture this...
Nation Wide, if only 20% of all existing conventional coal fired power plants in the United States were to be converted to this CO2 Based Coal Gasification Concept . . . The US would have produce 17 Million BPD (barrels per day) of methanol; that could be converted into 6.0 Million (barrels pre day) of High Octane Gasoline.
The objective is to make money! The mission is zero discharge. In my opinion; I don’t see global warming as a threat. I see global warming as a mission, and opportunity to make money by protecting the public intrest & deliverling an obligation of meeting the enviornmental protection goals as addressed in our goverments administration. Importanly bring true energy independence & sustaining our global economic strength.
The mission is to cap the green house gas emissions while still running a profitable enterprise. Without crippling the economy or increasing the cost of generating power.
It requires less energy to cool & condense emmission then to heat and discharge emmission at high temp.
However this idea will require the support from the industy, the goverment, Big Buisness, and most importantly the consumer.
The idea is to creat profit from waste and reduce emissions in the process. The Carbon Dioxide we produce & waste everyday is worth money! Storing carbon dioxide underground is not a profitable business decision, and whoever came up that idea is leading the energy industry in the wrong direction. The carbon dioxide that power producing companies naturally produce everyday is worth millions.
Draw your own conclusion and pick a direction. The energy industry has two options. 1) They can continue with their plan to put carbon dioxide into the ground; and later find out that they cause adverse affects to our planet; literally putting their company, and the profits their shareholder deserve into the ground.
Or; 2) They can operate efficiently; and plan to cool & liquefy emissions for coal or biomass gasification, increasing the BTU value of coal burned by 33% and convert emissions into a methanol by-product that consumers will pay for worldwide.
There is no need to spend money for carbon capture technology; putting the profits their shareholders deserve into the ground.
If the energy industry is serious about making money, and is planning new power plant development, they should consider the fact that carbon dioxide is worth money, and that there is no need to pump CO2 emmission into the heart of our planet, causing adverse affects to our planet & ecosystem. Keep our environment happy! I am proposing a win - win enterprise.
Each day from the moment I wake to the time I go to sleep, I am always aware. Aware of the impact I am making and how I can change that. It is amazing how much you realize when you pay attention to details; from habitually turning on a light switch when it really isn't needed, mowing the lawn with a gas mower (I've switched to a reel mower and it's awsome!), to how much we drive for no good reason.
I am not perfect, not nearly. I get hot and turn on the air conditioner, but not any higher than it needs to be. I drive rather than bike, but I multi-task while I am in town. I am not perfect, but everyday I am improving; IF I work at it everyday.
This comment is not about me, as it is about all of us. We each have to live, have to work, have to be productive in this world. But we can make those small changes everyday to really make a difference and spread the word of truth.
After all it's not the earth's existence that we are saving, it is ours.
"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi
Take a step outside in the early morning, take a deep breath-really inhale and let it go. Close your eyes and then open them. Its amazing isn't it? Life, our planet, the universe. Every living being its absolutley amazing. One day if we keep it up and pretend like nothing is wrong that beauty may not exist anymore. This planet is a gift, life is a gift, a gift we are robbing future generations of. We have got to make a change, work together, save what we have been given.
It is too late to "stop global warming" any time soon. I would like to see more emphasis on positive language along the lines of "commiting ourselves to creating way of life on the planet which is sustainable for the human family and the family of all life."
I also agree with at least one of the comments suggesting we must add the need to encourage business and corporate leaders.
The problem of global warming and the degradation of the very environment that our lives depend on is without question the most important problem we face. It is safe to say that our survival depends on how we react to this crisis.
Changing our behavior is a very challenging problem and demands that we work in a focused manner on the actual source of the problem. Collectively what we aspire to and consider to be success must change. The acquisition and accumulation of environmentally destructive material goods must be seen clearly for what it actually is, self destructive. It is strange to think that we have let ourselves be misguided into desperately wanting these things.
We must respect those cultures like the Native American ideaology and put those words to use. They have been around forever and now in panic we are starting to see what they already knew, the earth is to be respected and not taken for granted in the name of capitalism. For us to truly know ourselves and make the changes needed we have to learn and listen to those who have spoken about these problems and adopt their lifestyles respectively. That being said, maybe we should correct some of the situations we have put them in and thus learn to respect our mother even more than we know.
Add new sentence after first sentence: "To preserve the liberties we cherish, we must also preserve an environment that supports and sustains human life."
I think that the goals and challenges are well said...but....why use the passive
* Be active citizens, by pressing our elected officials to take urgent action now, and by pressing all candidates for office to commit to passing strong legislation to cut America's global warming pollution.
SHOULD BE:...Be active citizens. Press our elected officials to take urgent action now. Press all candidates for office to commit to pass strong legislation.....etc.
The whole statement becomes more aggressive and forceful when we drop the passive voice. And do it in all cases, unless we are tentative in our resolve?
Washington is corrupt. Polititians are corrupt. They say they care about the environment and want to stop global warming but all they really care about is who is putting the money in their pockets. (Big Buisness and Big oil Companies) Unless and untill the PEOPLE demand of our polititians to initiate a plan to stop global warming and clean up our environment as well as taking steps ourselves (Buy 1 energy saving light bulb) my grandson will have to pay the price.
Add "..to cut emissions by 80% to simply level off greenhouse levels..while at the same time investing in new economic growth."... to read: "Be active citizens, by pressing our elected officials to take urgent action now, and by pressing all candidates for office to commit to passing strong legislation to cut America's global warming pollution"..."to cut emissions by 80% to simply level off greenhouse levels..while at the same time investing in new economic growth."
Nature is something we have for real, we had a good legacy and proactive actions is what will help us keep it and moreover leave to our next generations a good place to live as we had one. There is a natural obligation to respect our lives and the lives of others and a good start is if every single person in this planet treats our nature in a responsible way, and help the specialists in whatever extra things need to be done. We owe it to life.
we did not inherit the world from our parents, we are merely borrowing it from our children.
Develop alternatives to all
petro-chemical products.
Petroleum is a limited resource,
and the use of it has been the
primary cause of global warming
and many other environmental
problems.
Let's move beyond petroleum now -
before it's too late.
Let us not do what is best for ourselves today but what is best for the future generations of tomorrow!
The state of New Jersey provides the greatest support for the installation of domestic solar voltaic panels. Hello? What does it take to get other states with better locations and more sunny day/hours to step up to the line? Should we have some federal incentives to make solar power ubiquitous?
R. LeBlanc
Let us not do what is best for ourselves today but what is best for future generations tomorrow!
Let us not do what is best for ourselves today but what is best for future generations tommorw!
Treat the earth as you would want to be treated. In order to preserve this earth to the best of our ability we definitely have to face reality & do what is necessary to leave a legacy for our future generations. I often wonder what our forefathers would think of what has occurred since their lives ended.
There is nothing inherently wrong with 'Big Business', the problem is what is missing, 'Heart'. I see more greed than 'Love & Respect' for our wonderful Mother Earth. What these narrow minded individuals need to learn is ..Where will we be without this Earth we've been gifted with? We can't have her ravaged completely to temporarily satisfy the greed of a few. The focus has to shift. We are each responsible to do our part to begin the healing of the Earth before it is too late. We have a populace of careing, intelligent, gifted and creative individuals. May each of us discover and use our God given talent for the 'Good'. If we shift our focus onto whats really important we can move forward. I have faith that mankind will do the right thing.
The boomer generation had great ideas for changing the world. Then we took time out to raise our kids and got wrapped up in American materialism.
The time is NOW to get back to our IDEALS!
Life is so good for us, lets keep it that way for our kids and their kids on down the line.
Not my words... but my belief completely: Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself.
Let us do what is right to the web (ecosystem)! God made everything to work in harmony on earth, Man on the other hand has done everything to ruin that harmony.
In a financially driven world, we must translate the costs of escalation of rising seal level (see National Geographic this month) and increased storm damage associated with global warming as real costs of our current fossil fuel use. For financial reasons, we must therefore escalate our regulatory and tax structure to reduce fossil fuel use in cars, industries and home heating, with taxation strictly earmarked for preparation for reduced CO2 output.
Similarly, we need to accelerate our development of tools to reduce energy consumption on a wide number of levels. This would include retrofitting houses to insulate better, and need less cooling and heating, and requiring new houses to have solar, geo-solar, insulation and shade characteristics that make them dramatically less needing of fossil fuels.
Similarly, each of the major US car companies should be encouraged to produce one US- friendly vehicle safe, good-handling, comfortable with mileage akin to the Prius. Pathways for bicycle transportation and carry on transport like scooters should be developed so that combined people powered/public transportation becomes more viable and quicker and safer. Truck insurance policy changes could allow people to keep their massive SUV’s but only use them when they have a full load or are driving on bad terrain, using their high mileage vehicles for everyday driving.
Technological, tax-wise, economically sensible help should be directed on an industry by industry basis, starting with a winning model, to reduce energy use, pollution and CO2 production in a manner that brings greater efficiency and lower liabilities, so that there is a positive benefit all the way around.
Investigation of use of planting types and per cent of cover should be a billion dollar project, to help convert CO2 to O2.
There is a lot of economic development, service, and product sales in preparing to keep the low-lying cities from going underwater. America has the opportunity to not only produce products, but lead the world in the development of technology for this important work. With that lead, we can not only meet the costs of reduced contribution to global warming, but also lead the rest of our planet in economic improvement without polluting and global warming increases proportional to the number of people who make it above poverty. They will follow our lead, and if we can offer the tools of efficiency, they will buy, copy or improve on them.
Alan M Dattner, MD
Holisticdermatology.com
Healthdatalink.com
Tread lightly on this earth,
Do not scar our soil, air and water
Live here with a conscience
Think clean, green, sustainable
These things we can do but also,
Elect leaders who care, who are intelligent and informed
Saving our planet is THE most urgent dilemma we face
We can't do it alone, we need quick action to initiate global policies to save ourselves, our children and the generations of the future. Give peace a chance, give the world communities working together a chance, give the earth a chance....
I concur that the declaration should establish targets to make it more than a well-written statement.
The proportion of well-educated Americans who know little and think less about the crisis is startling. While we're waiting for the big measures to be enacted, here is what each Environmental Defense member can do to have an immediate impact: purchase 20 COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS and give one each to 20 ACQUAINTENANCES, with a LIST of TEN ENERGY-REDUCING MEASURES. We have distributed 600 packages so far (.87/each from ebay). The response has been rewarding!
NOTE: If you would like to use our energy-savings list, contact me @ www.herrontownbuilders.com.
Recognize that all people are of global worth. Residing in a socio-economically deprived area does not mean that they have to live with the problems of those more advantaged. Their land should not be raped by landfills, decimated by industrial wind turbines, nuclear repositories or be treated any less valuable than their cul-de-sac counterparts. Treating everyone's slice of paradise with equal respect is paramount to creating peace and prosperity
Lots of little individual choices can add up to a big impact!
Ban plastic bags!
Will future genterations thank or curse us for what we have left them?
To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.
The world today is a global village - recognize it and be a global citizen. Every deed of ours affects someone around the world and ultimately, ourselves.
It is time to raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard. The CAFE standard was set in 1975. Time to up-date.
I first began reading about global warming in 1989 in my students' research papers on the environment. At the time this seemed like a concern for future generations. However, within less than two decades I have seen the predictions scientists were making then become a reality. We must take act now.
I like this draft of the declaration and would happily sign it as is. But I'm wondering if adding some language about accountability/responsibility might strengthen the document? For example, we could pledge to accept our responsibility for acting to reduce our energy consumption and production of greenhouse gasses. We could also pledge to hold our corporate citizens and elected officials accountable for their words and actions.
To date, a robust economy has been dependant on excessive spending and consumption which has gotten us to where we are now. We need to reprioritize our spending and put research, tax incentive dollars etc into promoting alternative energy and education. If there is a national call to conservation and education on global warming, maybe our kids will shame us into doing the right thing and get a hold of this problem before it is to late. For this, we need a strong leader, we need Al Gore.
This planetary revolution is no longer voluntary: choosing sides for this battle is not an option. For the first time in history every human being on this planet has the same cause to fight for... perhaps it's time we stop pointing guns at eachother and fight instead for the life of our planet, together, united.
"HURT NEITHER THE EARTH, THE SEA, NOR THE TREES...NOR THE ANIMALS, NOR YOUR FELLOW HUMANS BEINGS! LET US TRY PEACE FOR A CHANGE..TOWARDS ALL LIVING THINGS..TOWARDS OUR PLANET, THE ONLY HOME WE HAVE...TOWARDS EACH OTHER, LETS GIVE PEACE A CHANCE...TOWARDS THE ANIMAL, WE ARE THEIR KEEPER...GOD IS WATCHING US THROUGH THE EYES OF THE ANIMAL." ALLISON
I am not quite certain what the word 'patriotism' has to do with this subject. It should, if anything, be about being good stewards of what we have and it has absolutely nothing to do with patriotism. We need to begin by getting the word out to every last person and couch it in terms that people will listen to. If it is explained in terms of, ultimately, saving them money, that is a certain attention grabber. Once we have their attention, we teach them. Our children should be taught as soon as possible about how to care for our planet. That should begin at home, then carry over into the schools. I am 64 and I did this for my children as toddlers 30+ years ago. They have continued with their children. We did such things as carry bags with us as I walked them to and from school and picked up trash on our way. I now carry bags in my car, along with scissors, a knife, a small bush rake, etc. When we go fishing we collect trash, cut fishing line left lying about, totally destroy plastic container rings that get hooked about fish, birds and small animals. Simple things with great consequences. We changed to energy saving bulbs as soon as they came out. We carry our own shopping bags so as not to use more resources than is necessary. We put plastic containers to use, instead of throwing things away, until they are completely worn out. Instead of making multiple trips to do tasks, we make lists of what we have to do. Then we put them in driving order so that right turn onlys are made, on the way to the furthest point, then backward to the things on the right on the way home. If we go to the mall, we park at the end closest to where we will be carrying the largest amount on our way out. Makes it easier if we don't have to carry everything the full length. We teach our relatives, friends and neighbors by our example. (My grandson shames grown-ups with his comments about their abuse of nature.)
Politicians don't care about their constituency, regardless of what they say. They kowtow to big money and will say anything to get elected just to line their own pockets. I find it absolutely repugnant when I hear or read them or big business give us some plan to do things like: get gas mileage higher by 5 miles in 10 years time. That is a solution now?!!! We are in a race, people, and the clock is ticking. We need things to change NOW, not 5, 10 or 20 years down the road. We force their hands with the power of our vote and with what and how we buy. Be careful and read everything. For the love of Mike, above all, get the politicians ON RECORD and learn all you can about the candidates before you go to the poll and just pull levers or make marks on paper or go along party lines. This is a larger issue than 'party'. This is our future and that of our children. Does the earth stop with us or do we take care of it NOW?
Giving....whether it be a material item such as a drink, food, or cloth all of which are beneficial, each of which may help the individual feel as though assistance will always be available. Deeper still I feel truth, love, respect and trust are the answers to this jumbled knot we call life; working together with patience, a kind heart and education for all, we will overcome the tragedy all human have helped to further. Until we create a common peaceful experience we will continue to learn in our own way. Together we will survive.
The manpower required to do much that is good both for and in the world, always seems to be lacking.
I would like to see the U.S. institute a universal draft. All individuals reaching the age of 18 would be required to participate in one form or another, with no exemptions given.
18 year olds could go into the military, join the Peace Corps, become a member of a new Civilian Conservation Corps, work in a nursing home, work with Habitat for Humanity, become a forest fire fighter, help with hurricane clean-up and reconstruction, etc.
The experiences alone would do wonders for our youth. A kid from the inner city working with a kid from the farm and a kid Martha's Vineyard could enhance perspectives all around.
Every worthwhile program that needs manpower could be helped, and every kid in this country could make a contribution to his/her country and take ownership for this great land that they live in.
at LEAST 1 day a month it should be illegal to drive a car, except for taxi's, emergency vehicles and buses. buses should be free that day to ride. Imagine the reduce in greenhouse gasses. It may seems a bit extreme but extreme = results. it all really comes down to us, we are the generation that can make a difference. every generation stands for something and this is how ours will be remembered, as hero's or as greedy monsters.
Ethics need to be brought to the forefront of politics, and I mean by example from the top down. If the President and Vice President do not have a strong moral compass, and if Congress does not properly exercise oversight and legislative authority, why should we expect businesspeople or the young to be ethical? Nixon resigned for much lesser crimes than Bush and Cheney have committed, and there is little comment, let alone outrage, people are smoothing over some of the most outrageous acts and policies ever, and acting as if everything were fine! We are all complicit if we do not participate and demand a change!
If we do not change from within, others will force change from without, for they will not finance our follies forever!
I like this document now... "whatever it takes" is the best way to put it.
You have my approval.
We are the lastest generation of caretakers for this enduring, yet fragile bastion of life that we call Earth. It is incumbent on us that we should not be the final generation of caretakers. To acknowledge the issue and to rededicate ourselves towards modifying our self destructive behaviour is not just our obligation-but our only recourse to insure survival. There is, in the last analysis, the true Power of One and; when joined with others of like heart, that One can change the course of destiny.
A few opinions about the declaration:
Yes, patriotism needs a new definition, a global relevance. As the root word derives from "father", we recognize that we carry ancestry, and therefore responsibility, from each place on earth -- and nowhere is this more true than in the US. Further, the life that makes our lives possible is not only human, since each part of the planet helps to sustain the whole. This is no less true for people, and it is now time for us to realize the ways in which we can contribute to the health of the earth, rather than merely drain it.
There are many obstacles to overcome and mistakes to be corrected, yet the only true failure is to accept a lack of imagination as our fate; we must never cease acting with the conviction that our creativity is a powerful and priceless ally for the endeavor.
This also means turning to one another, cooperating in new ways, and harnessing the potency of skilled relationships to invoke both individual and collective change at the same time. This is not just civil society -- it is also good science.
Here is our standard for action: Does it benefit as many as possible, and does it do honor to the best in each of us?
Everything that we can do as individuals is worthless as long as our military-industrial complex, guided by think tanks and enabled by our congress continues our policy of imperialism, as currently realized by the war in Iraq.
The history of social progress is one of expanding the familiar, making who was once the "other" into our own. Globalization does this, but only in fits and starts and in ways that give short term advantages to its most vocal proponents. Let global environmentalism be the next stage of social progress. Let us include more of the world that we seek to protect.
Respect for NATURE… It Starts In Parks
Whether it’s feeling the sun on your face, learning how things grow or enjoying that awe-inspiring beauty of a summer’s day, nature’s innovation sustains us from the inside out. Spending time outside reminds us of our unique place in the world. A connection to nature. It Starts In Parks
CONSERVATION of our natural treasures… It Starts In Parks
Air. Water. Land. These are our greatest natural treasures. Yet, a growing population threatens that quantity and quality of these vital resources. Conserving green spaces and waterways for the generations to come is crucial for our very survival. Florida’s parks hold a key. Preserving what’s precious. It Starts In Parks
We are killing our Mother, Earth. We will have no where to live if we do not shift our behavior towards her. We must focus on HER, and put her needs FIRST, if we want our children to have a place to live. There are SO MANY clean-up and be- gentle ways of living already existing, that the government has NOT allowed to be used. Earth's water, air, and land could already be clean! It is time to turn away from the nation's arrogant, money and power oriented 'rulers', and live a grass-roots ecology and life-style shift FIRST!
We need to leave everything we were given in as good a condition as we received it.
We need to realize that many things start happening that impact us negatively when we do not stay educated and actively engaged in our government. We have to acknowledge that responsibility and accept it as a duty and a priviledge for the ability to live in a FREE society, with the recognition that when we do not participate actively in our government, in that very moment we hand over our FREEDOM.
Personal integrity and concern for all living creatures will bring us all closer together and create a better world for all. There is no place for greed and hatred in our world, for us to survive we need to work together for the good or all mankind and the breature that also call this planet their home
I was thinking wind turbines outside on the edges of major cities that collected energy and also put it back off to control heating and cooling effects combined with some sort of dust particulate filters.
This is our home. We all need to take care of our planet like we would take care of our home, take a few mintues and think about our children's future!
Take action in our immediate environment by supporting and protecting the wildlife that lives around us at work and at home.
Teach our children to care for and support all living things.
Ditto to all. Will humans remain or go the way of the dinosaurs? You and I and everyone and everything and nothing are each a part of God. Act accordingly. God will remain regardless.
Each state, each state legislature and every individual must be informed and committed to making whatever changes are necessary to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, to recycle and choose the environment over greed. Don't support companies or industries that are not environmentally responsbile and don't reelect government representatives who have proven to be environmetally and sociall irresponsible.
the most expensive thing...would be to do nothing
Help us lead the world to a sustainable future so that there is the possibility for a better tomorrow, not follow big industry off a cliff.
1) Please PLEASE! re-word "THIS NATION'S FOUNDERS etcc" The way it is worded once again DENIES, IGNORES the genocide that is at the foundation of the country. I know it is very upsetting, very painful to verbalize this, but it is MORE DEEPLY upsetting and detrimental to be silent again.
Maybe something like: "With deep pain we acknowledge that this nation's founders choose violence and genocide to resolve their need of new resources and new land. Asking for forgiveness, we must now do whatever is necessary to realize a new relationship with the web of life that includes and sustains us...."
Also:
2) "As we prepare to celebrate our nation's birthday, we renew our comitment to Peace on Earth and Peace with Earth.
I know my language is not very articulate. But you get my points. Please.
it should start at home, all of us that are pointing fingers at everyone else, needs to make the start with the changes at home, recylce , reuse, go green etc etc.
I have made the decision to make this commitment at home, and it takes work and discipline, its so easy to take the easy route, for now atleast.
Then its our obligation to spread the word and the best way to do so is to lead by example instead of condemnation
One more time: look up the Hydristor on Google. This invention will retrofit any non-hybrid vehicle and double it's fuel economy while quartering the CO2 emissions OF THE VEHICLE ALREADY ROLLING ON THE HIGHWAY. By the way, the doubling of highway mileage is what you get in town so stop and go city economy now equals doubled highway mileage. The sum total of all the other stuff will help but will not make the ten year tipping point prediction of Dr. Hansen of NASA. Also, see the Earmark bill for the
Hydristor in the 22nd district for FY08. Finally, Congress is listening. Contact your legislator to ask for support of the Earmark.
The Hydristor retrofit program just won a merit award in the Emhart/NASA contest 'create the future'. See that under on Google.
regards Tom Kasmer 607-2068960
EVERYTHING we do has an impact on our world, no matter how small it may seem. It's up to us to take the responsibility and stop and think about our actions and those of everyone and everything in our lives. And to ensure we understand what we're doing.
Since money is what drives governments and corporations, I will use my power as a consumer to make the message load and clear that global warming is important.
This is already in the Declaration of Independence but I think it has it's place in the Declaration of New Patriotism:
"[We] are endowed ... with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
I believe an important pledge is to work towards placing the United States of America back in the forefront for global change. We must become leaders once again, and this time towards the preservation of our planet.
In trying to alter in present to make the world more convenient and profitable for ourselves we are altering the future. What we take for ourselves now, we steal from generations yet to come.
Profiteering is not patriotism,
This is way too vague. THis is wimpy. If you're going to make a statement, make it bold and specific. Talk about direct action. In the U.S., we need to change the way businesses are run. Read CRADLE TO CRADLE. It's about a complete shift in the way we function as a society. It's about eco-effectiveness as opposed to eco-efficiency, which is a whole new mode of operating that actually gives back to planet as opposed to just making the systems we have now "less bad".
All people care about is the money they make today, but what good is it if there is no tomorrow to spend it. People need to start looking at the big picture. This whole planet and our along with all other species are on the verge of extinction. We have no one to blame but ourselves. A little bit can go a long way if everyone pulls together, to help save the future.
People of conscience are rarely in positions of power. On a daily basis I am witness to a disregard for the environment and a focus strictly on creature comforts and these people pass those values, or lack thereof, on to their children. Little is being done in the schools to educate children on environmental issues. Maybe it will take scare tactics to move from complacency to activism. It would be sad to have to select that route to ecological awareness. Fear mongering got us into the Iraq mess. I see attitudes changing and the word "green" is everywhere. We need to demand a leadership role from government. We are in serious trouble. Maybe another horrendous hurricane season will be a wakeup call. I can't believe how short-sighted and self-involved our society has been.
A wise man once said, "If you don't study the mistakes of the past, you're doomed to repeat them". We need to address the specific causes of global warming and change each one or we're still not on the right path.
The decisions we make will determine the destiny of generations to come. Let's make the right ones.
The Earth is alive, we all know that. What would you do if someone covered you in garbage, dumped sewage into your mouth and allowed it to flow throughout your system, pumped chemicals and toxins into your veins? Would you take it? The Earth has had its fill and it will fight for its life, like all living things. What will it take? Another Katrina? How personal does nature have to get before you show it some respect? Nature is more powerful than we are. How do you think we got here?
gIt is clear that the change in the world's climate is the number one issue world wide. Everything else must take a backseat to this issue. No matter how polarizing issues like abortion, gay rights, school prayer, the Irag war are they should be secondary to the one issue that is impacting the entire planet. My vote will go for the candidate that recognizes this.
Crisis and Opportunity are the two sides of one coin.
Candidates for leadership positions must be asked if they will pledge to screen all policy decisions,domestic & foreign, for their impacts on climate change--as best science can predict. That's THE criteria for them and for our support during & beyond campaigns.
SAVE THE WORLD, IT'S THE ONLY ONE WE'VE GOT! I learned this saying in 5th grade. It was on my teachers book mark with a picture of the earth smiling at me. This is probably one of the most important things I learned that year. This earth that we live on supports the very essence of our lives and all that is required of us is to take care of it.
There are such things as free energy.
Free Energy
· Heavy Watergate: The War Against Cold Fusion (00:46:06)*
· The Missing Secrets of Nikola Tesla (00:46:25)*
· Free Energy: The Race to Zero Point (01:49:38)*
· Equinox - It Runs on Water (00:50:18)
· Tesla: The Genius Who Lit The World (00:42:11)
· The Invisible Machine - Electromagnetic Warfare (00:45:28)
These videos are all available on Google Video and http://www.truth911.net
We have the technology to raise our fuel efficiency and we can develop the technology we see in the above films as well. Peace.
An old Cree proverb says:
Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, will we realize we can't eat money.
I feel that, metaphorically at least, we have caught the last fish, and the time has come to realize that our land doesn't belong to us, we belong to her.
Half measures are better than nothing, but it's our "American way of life" that needs to change; rethink the American dream. The way it will happen is one community at a time.
Illegal immigration is the 400 pound gorilla in the corner no one wants to talk about because it's too political. Even this web site is influenced. They didn't post my comment on this issue last week.
Whether or not we like it, the United States serves in the capacity of a world leader. Whatever we do, whatever we produce, whatever we consume - all these behaviors are copied by other citizens of other countries. We are very good at exporting our selfish culture to the rest of the world. Given these facts, if we are to help "save the world," we must behave like good-enough parents. We must model restraint, respect, stewardship, accountability, compassion, tolerance, patience, humility, courage, and integrity. Until we model sustainable living by living it, nothing will change. From the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy: 'In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.'"
A suggestion for more palatability--
Please don't emphasize language such as INCONVENIENCE and SACRIFICE and DIFFICULTY!!
What's convenient today becomes doubly INCONVENIENT tomorrow!;
There is no sacrifice to change; it'll just be a different routine, one we're not used to yet;
The difficulty is in our heads -- we have been inundated with images and well-marketed models for corporate profit at the cost of reason. It will be DIFFICULT for large corporation to adjust to new models because they will lose their reason for being!
Please remember this is a campaign to CONVINCE people, not to alienate them!!
Luck to us all.
One thing the entire American population should keep in mind is that every single one of our ancestors ~ came from another country to begin with ~ seeking personal freedoms. That is what America is built upon ~ all of our ancestors hopes, dreams and desires for a better life. Keeping those ideals and goals alive and working is what, to me, and should be to everyone living in America, should be concentrated on. Quality of life for ALL.
The World Council of Churches, for three decades or more, has combined the three themes of "Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation." The more we can stress the inseparability of these three in all our ecological efforts, the better.
I think this Declaration is very good. My only comment, and I really don't know exactly how it would fit, would be to include that "patriots" realize the world is not for HUMAN USE ALONE. We are here with a spectacular, diverse, and interlocking collection of other living beings whom we need for our own health, both from a scientific point of view and a metaphysical point of view. We are very powerful creatures in our ability to control the world around us. We are intelligent enough to accurately imagine the consequences of our actions. We have a long history of moral intellectual construct. We therefore have the MORAL OBLIGATION to behave in a way that at the very least does not terminate the existence of all the others in our biological family to whom we are related and with whom we share this unique planet. Global climate change, if allowed to proceed unchecked, will bring on unimaginable suffering, not only for millions of human beings, but also for countless creatures. The problem is that no "political" manifesto has EVER included any being other than man and his God(s). Maybe this could finally change.
Being a part of this earth, we as the human species were given the intelligence to change the world, lets put that intelligence to work and save our neighboring species and the world...it's the only one we have! Think about the consequences...it REALLY is the ONLY ONE we have, let's take care of it. Each of us makes a difference!
The whole ridiculous idea of global warming is a librul, commie, anti-christian plot. Everyone knows that if the level of the oceans rose, it would just fall off the edge, like over-filling a saucer.
We have the fundemental duty, not only as Americans, but as inhabitants of this planet, to make drastic changes in our everyday lifestyles in order to save our planet. As a civilized nation, we must act accordingly, and swiftly, in order to secure the safety of those who will live after us. One way or another, we will make history. We have the power to deter potential disaster for the future of the world. How can we not take advantage of this?
Think of it this way We are all living an aquarium in space we are responsible for maintaining our lifes But people are trying to be Bigger ,badder ,& Smarter {????} than the other guy for WHAT to mis-use our lifes rescorces for themselfs to make more MONEY than the other guy Water NO ONE can live with out : air is ALL the PLANTS:filter is the SOIL Taking care of life ANIMALS & BUGS they clean the AQUARIUM and keep a balance going PEOPLE on the other are the MUCK that NEED to clean our own mess WE ARE KILLING EVERYTHING FOR WHAT EGO !!!!
Humanity must sustain this planetary if it is going to survive.
We no longer exist in numbers where profiteers can be allowed to run amok, poisoning this place for their own gain.
We can no longer afford to live in bedroom communities where one person does what is environmentally sound while leaving their less informed neighbors to struggle through conflicting information on science and technology.
We can no longer pretend that the well in our backyard, in our pasture, or under the utilities building only serves one family, one neighborhood or one community. That our aquifers and lakes and rivers and glaciers are all interconnected, by default we are all interconnected by water, land, sea and air.
We can no longer pretend than an individual ecosystem exists in a vaccuum. That when one collapses, they all suffer. That when one species dies, there is a cascade of events that follow, even if we dont see it. Our lack of knowledge regarding these issues will not save us from the inevitable results.
We can no longer afford to pretend that things are good. That life is good. We have reached a pivotal moment in the history of mankind that will determine not only our survival, but the survival of many species of this planet.
And every person counts. Each person is a universe that can make or unmake a reality through their daily choices. We have become like Gods because we can destroy this creation single handedly regardless of its innate and sacred nature. And we can replace it with something profane and ugly and sickly. We can create our own hell, our own lake of fire, and torment each other until the last person gives up the ghost.
It is time that Humanity grew up. We need to learn that Our actions have immediate consequences and collectively our actions have cumulative consequences, that we cannot escape ourselves, each other, or the consequences of our activities.
If we want to uphold the foundational principles of this country of innate equality for all human beings, then we must preserve our environment, and become responsible stewards. Without that responsible stewardship, the poor will be at the mercy of those who dole out clean air, clean water, and workable soil.
All people, regardless of race, creed, or ethnicity, must take full responsibility for the impact of all their choices, decisions, actions, words and behavior. We MUST be accountable for, and take full responsibility for, our words and actions and their consequences. We MUST teach this to our children and so on down the generations.
Each and every action DOES have an effect on planet Earth (our ONLY home)! Those who doubt have NOT understood this. Just like everyone's "actual house", our planet is a "closed environment". We need to appeal to everyone's common sense by making them think about their actions. Nobody would want the pollution inside their house. But many do not realize that what is being done to the planet IS having those kind of terrible results as IF they were polluting their OWN house!
The Earth is large but the end result will be same as putting toxins in your home.
WE MUST CHANGE OUR WAYS!
We have WONDEROUS alternatives to OIL and other fossil fuels.
We just need to STOP the greed of those who still put quick easy profit over the welfare of ALL LIFE! Wake up those people who don't belive these polluting actions are killing us ALL!
In Genesis, The Lord told Adam(and,by extension,all of us) to "tend and keep" the earth. Because we don't know when Jesus will return, it would not be responsible stewardship to leave our children and grandchildren without the resources that God provided for them as well.
two comments on the draft:
1. the call for personal sacrifice should be stronger. Not just "be mindful". Think WWII mentality.
2. the notion that energy efficiency is truly patriotic needs to be reiterated in the body of the declaration, not just in the title. We need to hammer away at the perception that driving a big gas guzzling SUV is somehow being a true, patriotic American.
thanks for listening.
There is no other home but Earth ... Simplify
Conservation is like sweat: the harder you work at producing it, the better you feel afterwards.
M. Gaffney
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