Emerging Issue assignment- new global initiative - Essay Example

This stresses the fact that the magnificent diversity of cultures should not be a constraint for maintaining the relationship as one human family and one Earth community with common destiny. The main aim of The Earth Charter has been purported ‘to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace’ (Preamble). Therefore, it is quite evident that The Earth Charter stands for protecting the mother Earth, based on the concept, Earth our home.

The Earth Charter Commission, in the first four paragraphs of The Earth Charter, brings our attention to the core issue by making us aware of man’s interdependence on nature. The first paragraph entitled as ‘Earth Our Home’ rightly observes this interrelationship when it writes thus, ‘The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air.

’ (Earth Our Home). This establishes the strong bond between man and nature, and also reminds the reality that human wants are unlimited but the environment or the resources of nature are limited. Therefore, one should keep in mind that the ‘protection of Earth's vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.’ (Earth Our Home). One should also be aware of the present global situation described under the title The Global Situation. Here the Charter identifies the main factors causing for environmental devastation, namely, ‘production and consumption’ which may in time lead to ‘the depletion of resources, and a massive extinction of species’ (The Global situation).

Other problems identified are the ‘unprecedented rise in human population’ and the basic difference between the rich and the poor, the grave issue that denies the benefits of development. Another severe problem affecting the ecological and sociological systems has been identified as the uncontrollable population growth. The Earth Charter identifies that ‘Fundamental changes are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living’ (The challenges ahead) to keep up the stability of Earth.

The Earth Commission also envisages that if we are ready to show the sense of universal responsibility, that is, ‘We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked’ (Universal responsibility), we can certainly protect the Earth from anymore harm. Therefore, The Earth Charter proposes 16 interdependent principles assuring a sustainable life. The principles have been arranged under four main headings, namely, ‘Respect and care for the community of life’, ‘Ecological Integrity’, ‘Social and Economic Justice’ and ‘Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.

’ Each heading discusses another four points and sub points narrating the core subject. The title ‘Respect and care for the community of life’ focuses on the necessity of showing respect to every form of life regardless of its worth to human beings. This principle also warns against man’s exploitation of the environment without considering the reality, resources and limited and to avoid environmental harm. The third principle speaks of building democratic societies that are just,