The Moscow Earth Charter Roundtable:

The Earth Charter as Seen by Modern Science

Moscow, 18-19 September 1997

Introduction

The Moscow Earth Charter Roundtable, organized by Green Cross International, was principally concerned with identifying the scientific basis to the Earth Charter. In addition, the meeting also considered how the Benchmark Draft could be improved, and ideas for promoting global involvement in the Earth Charter dialogue. Following are details of our main conclusions and recommendations regarding these issues.

Main Conclusions and Recommendations

I. The scientific basis to the Earth Charter

1. There is now a significant and robust body of scientific knowledge to support the following propositions:

(a) there is an ecological corridor within which social and economic development development must operate in order to sustain Earth as a suitable habitat for humans. This corridor is defined by the biological productivity and regenerative capacity of the biosphere. Earth system science has advanced to the point where this corridor can be quantitatively defined.

(b) humanity is presently operating outside this corridor, that is, we are exceeding the ecological limits of Earth. These ecological limits are exceeded before the economic and social consequences are apparent. The challenge is to change human activity so that it operates within, rather than outside, this corridor, so that sustainability can be promoted.

(c) At the present time technology cannot substitute for most ecosystem services provided by the biosphere. At a global scale, there will always be a limit on technological substitution. Therefore our dependence on the Biosphere is irrevocable.

2. The Earth Charter needs to be based upon and reflect this fundamental scientific knowledge base. However it is not necessary for the Charter to provide details of these biospheric laws. Rather, the challenge is to encapsulate the main ideas in a simple form that can be readily comprehended by all peoples. Given this, a supporting document is needed that presents the scientific case for the principles embodied in the Charter.

3. It is recommended that an International Symposium be held as soon as possible to evaluate, articulate, and consolidate the existing knowledge base about the biospheric laws, that is, the ecological and Earth system science that underpins the Earth Charter. This symposium should include, amongst others, the participation of the following organizations: the IUCN; UNESCO; Green Cross International; The Earth Council; The International Geosphere Biosphere Program; the American Society for the Advancement of Science; the Russian Supreme Ecological Council; and other relevant Universities and NGOs. A discussion paper proposing a scientific framework should be prepared to provide a focus for the symposium.

II. Suggested improvements to the Benchmark draft

1. The participants generally agreed with the content of the Benchmark Draft Earth Charter. The Draft is a commendable document that contains an important set of well crafted principles. The participants commend the efforts of Prof. Steven Rockefeller in overseeing the production of the Benchmark Draft Earth Charter, and express their gratitude to Prof. Rockefeller for his continued commitment to the project. In this context, the following recommendations are submitted:

2. A more comprehensive context needs to be provided for the Earth Charter. The Charter should therefore be released as a package that contains the following components:

(a) the Earth Charter principles expressed in a brief, inspirational form
(b) a document that explains the scientific and ethical bases to these principles
(c) a call for an international convention that provides an integrated legal framework for environmental protection and sustainable development based upon the Charter's principles, and
(d) specification of the types of mechanisms needed to give force to the convention.

The reason for this recommendation is to make clear the purpose of the Charter. This will clarify both its content and form, and the actions that we want to flow from its creation and promulgation. The supporting explanatory document, together with the call for a convention and mechanisms, will remove the temptation to fill the Charter with scientific or legalistic detail. An international environmental tribunal is one example of the mechanisms needed.

3. There was a general feeling that the Benchmark Draft focuses too heavily on human rights and does not have an adequate Earth-focus. While the participants believe that human destiny is at the core of why we need an Earth Charter, an Earth-focused Charter would provide the necessary complementarity to the International Declaration of Human Rights. However the participants strongly agreed that any Preamble to the Charter should establish the human dimension to the problem.

4. There were some comments about specific principles: (a) Principle #4; the current wording suggests a narrow definition of human needs. A suggested rewording is:- 'Establish justice etc. Within the framework of the human needs system, people have a right etc.'; (b) Principle #10 should read ' Affirm that gender equity is one of the prerequisites for sustainable development'

5. It is recommended that the analogy between the Earth Charter and The Ten Commandments (or other religious references) not be used when discussing the Earth Charter.

III. Actions to promote the Earth Charter

1. The participants reinforce the crucial need to disseminate the Earth Charter and promote Earth Charter activities, including initiatives such as youth consultations and contests.

2. It is recommended that the Earth Charter drafting team be requested to produce a simplified version of the Benchmark Daft Charter where each principle is encapsulated by a simple phrase or short sentence. This will greatly facilitate public involvement and comment. This simplified version should be distributed as soon as possible.

3. The full power of the commercial and public media systems need to be employed in promoting the Earth Charter. Consequently, it is recommended that a Global Media Strategy be devised.

4. A special Earth Charter Educational Methodology needs to be developed to ensure that a comprehensive and consistent package of information is used in educating people about the Charter.

5. An Earth Council information communication system should be established for the Earth Charter.

6. We recommend that an International Working Group be formed under the aegis of the Earth Charter Commission to help catalyze and coordinate Earth Charter initiatives at Regional and National scales. For example, it could ensure that all regions in the world establish Earth Charter activities. The need for this can be seen in the present lack of involvement by China, India and South East Asia. The Working Group could help facilitate national agreement on the Charter, and build linkages between national initiatives, such as the youth consultations and contests currently being organized in Japan, Sweden, Argentina and Australia. Participants of the Moscow Roundtable could provide the nucleus of such a group.

7. The time schedule for the Earth Charter process should be revised as follows:

8. The Roundtable participants agreed to send this document to (a) The Earth Charter Commission, (b) Green Cross International, and (c) The Earth Council.

IV. General comments

1. All participants extend their gratitude to Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, President, Green Cross International, for sharing his insight and wisdom, and for also making himself available over the entire course of the day.

2. Similarly, all participants express their gratitude for the distinguished contributions of Mr. Danilov-Danilyan V.I., Chairman of the State Committee of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, and are most appreciative that he allocated a full working day to this event.

3. The Roundtable extend their thanks to Mrs. Wakako Hironaka, Member of the Japanese House of Councilors, for her attendance and contributions.

4. The participants are pleased to thank Mr. Rustem Khairov (Green Cross International Project Coordinator, and Executive Director, Foundation for Survival and Development of Humanity) and Catherine Shibanova, for the tremendous effort they put into organizing this important and successful meeting.

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Copyright © 14 oct 1998 Green Cross International, Geneva, Switzerland