History and Activities of Green Cross International

Interview with Mr. Gorbachev

(Video tape 10mim.)

I am often asked who first had the idea to set up Green Cross International ? I would say that I had this idea at a certain moment in time, and I introduced it at the Moscow Forum, when I was still President of the USSR. I said that in view of the seriousness of ecological problems - the main concern of Agenda-21 — we should set up a global non-governmental ecological organization of citizens themselves. It was important for them and for future generations to take the planet, their habitat in hand, this was the most vital cause and responsibility.

I said then that perhaps the organization would do well to follow the lead of the International Committee of the Red Cross and I suggested the name Green Cross International.

This idea was welcomed at an International Forum which brought together practically all countries of the world. The Forum was held at the Kremlin in Moscow. I returned to this idea subsequently in my statement to the United Nations General Assembly, where I raised the issue of ecological problems to the level of the most important challenges common to all mankind, pointing out that the very survival of man was at stake.

Later I was no longer in charge of the country. " Perestroika " came to an end and I ceased to be President.

In 1992, when Heads of States gathered at Rio de Janeiro to discuss ecological problems and sustainable development, another global forum was organized there to deal with the same issues. It was here that Gorbachev’s proposal to set up an organization of citizens was taken up again. It was no longer sufficient to rely on governments only, it was necessary to unite the efforts of individual people concerned for the planet’s future, aware that we are undermining the very bases of life.

This was the second time that the idea was voiced and the Forum invited me to become the Founding President of Green Cross International. I accepted the position somewhat autocratically, as I was not elected as such but appointed by the will of 108 prominent country representatives.

Since then we have endeavored to create a genuinely universal and responsible ecological organization, bringing together people from all over the world.

Green Cross International now comprises twenty countries, which have their own national organizations, among them the United States, Russia and Japan. I would mention here the particular contribution of two countries, especially in the early stages, Switzerland and the Netherlands. These countries have a traditionally strong interest in ecological matters and their people have always shown concern for their land and its development. Their fine achievements should serve as an example to others.

Japan hosted the Conference in 1993 which formally established an international ecological organization : Green Cross International. Much has been accomplished since that time. We are pleased that in the long run our initiative has been understood, accepted and promoted. The point is that at the beginning things were not easy, many people questioned the need for yet another ecological organization. Our aim is not to replace governments, business or anyone else — all we want is to allow people to gain the understanding of the situation facing the world.

Man long thought of himself as the master of nature and felt that he could make use of it in any possible way. The result has been the current situation with its acute problems of water, forests, land and air quality, the seas, the oceans, our total ecosystem. The entire natural environment that evolved over billions of years, and which led to the emergence of mankind and human society, is now under serious threat.

It is a fact that today only one-third of the world’s population enjoys good, normal or acceptable living conditions whereas two-thirds suffer malnutrition, hunger, poverty and backwardness. This means that the economic choices and way of life adopted in recent history have only served to lead us to a dead end : a global ecological crisis.

Some question the existence of such a crisis, but from the knowledge of ecological problems I have gained over the past few years it is important to state that this crisis really does exist. It represents a real danger and is the prime issue of Agenda-21. If we manage to settle this problem and live in harmony with nature, we can deal with other issues ; if we fail to do so, it will be senseless to take up any other matters. This is the number one problem for the next century and the centuries beyond.

We see our task as one of helping people to understand the urgency of the situation and to bring about necessary changes in their way of life. We must learn to live at one with nature. Nature does not bear grudges but it must not be brought to the point where it can no longer sustain human society and the continuance of man on earth.

At an interesting conference in Karlsruhe, Germany, the foreign minister in the Kohl government told me an instructive story about two planets which met in space : one was young, prosperous and flourishing, the other was ailing, weary and covered with wounds. The first asked the other, what’s wrong with you ? The second answered, everything was fine until some strange creatures appeared known as humans — they ruined my life and crippled me. The first planet was amused, seemed not upset or taken aback at all and said : I also had the same problem but eventually it will pass. So perhaps it will indeed pass…the earth will continue, it will once again flourish, but we will no longer be here.

But why can it not be different ? Cannot we act together now to preserve our planet, our home for ourselves, our children and grandchildren ?

I see the purpose of Green Cross International as bringing across to people this simple and basic truth. With this in mind we are working together on various projects with the Earth Council, UNESCO and other environmental organizations, eminent personalities and the mass media. We invite everyone to join with us in meeting the global ecological challenge.

I hope that I have been able to convey my feelings and concerns regarding the important choice we face. Let us make the right choice and bring together Man and Nature.