Attributed to Chief Seattle:
“Whatever befalls the earth befalls the people of earth. The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. 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.”
Sustainability Defined (World Commission on Environment & Development, 1987)
“Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. . . Economics and ecology must be completely integrated in decision-making and lawmaking processes not just to protect the environment, but also to protect and promote development.”
Buckminster Fuller on the purpose of the World Game:
“To make the world work for 100% of humanity
In the shortest possible time
Through spontaneous cooperation
Without ecological offense
Or the disadvantage of anyone.”
World Scientists Warning (signed by 1,575 leading scientists from 69 countries, 1992)
“Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course. . . If not checked, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know. . . Fundamental changes are urgent if we are to avoid the collision our present course will bring about.”
Agenda 21 (policy document from the Earth Summit, June, 1992)
“Humanity stands at a defining moment in history. We are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, a worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being. However, integration of environment and development concerns and greater attention to them will lead to the fulfillment of basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future.”
Agenda 21/ Chapter 28
“Because so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and cooperation of local authorities will be a determining factor in fulfilling its objectives. . . By 1996, most local authorities in each country should have undertaken a consultative process with their populations and achieved a consensus on ‘a local Agenda 21’ for the community.”
UN Commission on Sustainable Development (first meeting, June 14, 1993)
“A 53-member Commission has been set up within the Economic and Social Council of the UN to monitor how the recommendations in Agenda 21 and other Rio agreements are being implemented by Governments and by the United Nations and its agencies.”
President’s Council on Sustainable Development (announced June 14, 1993)
“The President’s Council on Sustainable Development represents a groundbreaking commitment to explore and develop policies that encourage economic growth, job creation, and effective use of our natural and cultural resources.”
League of California Cities Resolution (passed October, 1993)
“The League of California Cities encourages: the creation of Sustainable Community programs in California cities through the participation of all segments of the respective communities; regional efforts to adopt policies and programs on the concept of sustainability to ensure the future well-being of our natural and human resources, and participation of California cities in new forums/organizations to promote and implement sustainable policies.”
Business Council for Sustainable Development
“We need fundamental political and economic changes:
- Market-based policies must promote more efficient resource use, rapid technology advances and productivity gains.
- Short-term profits need to give way to more long-term attention to capital appreciation, wealth creation, the “eco-efficiency” of corporations and the environmental opportunities in developing counties.
- Products and processes need to be optimized to reduce pollution during their production, use, disposal, and exercising product life-cycle stewardship.
- Technology cooperation is the enabling tool for integrating economic development with environmental protection.
- Economic growth is necessary for improved social equity, environmentally sustainable development and to stabilize population.”