EARTH TRUSTEE MILLENNIUM: One man's view for
the future.
By John McConnell The Founder of Earth Day
As we enter civilization's Third Millennium we are faced with both formidable
dangers and auspicious opportunities. There is now, more than any time in
history, an urgent need to examine the state of the world -- its history,
dangers and possibilities -- in order to determine how we can come together,
avoid catastrophe, and cooperate to achieve our common goals.
An agenda is needed that will appeal to people of every age, culture and creed.
The following can accomplish this purpose:
EARTH TRUSTEE FORMULA FOR A BETTER FUTURE ON PLANET EARTH
"LET EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND INSTITUTION NOW THINK AND ACT AS A RESPONSIBLE
TRUSTEE OF EARTH, SEEKING CHOICES IN ECOLOGY, ECONOMICS AND ETHICS THAT WILL
PROVIDE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, ELIMINATE POLLUTION, POVERTY AND VIOLENCE, AWAKEN
THE WONDER OF LIFE AND FOSTER PEACEFUL PROGRESS IN THE HUMAN ADVENTURE."
To successfully apply the formula let us first consider the resources available
for our task.
MIRACLE PLANET
To help us be objective imagine for a moment that you are a visitor from another
planet. When you are informed of the amazing web of life that covers our globe,
the raw materials and natural resources that abound, the magnitude of our
knowledge and now the skills and technology at our disposal, you would be
dumbfounded at the poverty, pollution and violence that covers our globe.
VISION NEEDED
The basic problem on our planet is the failure of people to look beyond the
problem, see the solutions and act on them. An ancient saying tells us,
"Where there is no vision the people perish." The Earth Trustee
vision, policies and agenda can appeal to the most people and do the most good
for people and planet. It can appeal to the logic and strength that belongs to
"simple and clear souls."
ACCENT THE POSITIVE
While people may use different words to describe their efforts, here and there
around the world are success stories of efforts to eliminate pollution, poverty
and violence -- to educate, cooperate and achieve worthwhile
community goals. Giving these success stories a common Earth Trustee label will
strengthen these efforts and foster support for a global agenda.
AGREE WITH YOUR ENEMY
A major policy that will facilitate success in cases where differences arise is
to constantly look for and acknowledge important points of agreement. In my own
efforts to help resolve differences between Soviet and American leaders (which
succeeded on several occasions) I persuaded both sides to cooperate in matters
of importance in which they agreed -- in spite of strong differences in other
matters. Their joint actions in environmental matters and in Space led to better
communications and aided resolution of differences - and the end of the Cold
War.
My own view of this approach was the result of my heeding the words of Jesus who
said we should agree with our adversary, or enemy. This did not mean we should
agree with something we did not believe, but that good will and an honest effort
can lead to something important on which adversaries could agree.
WHERE WE AGREE
Let us then agree that we all are interested in what life is all about. And
would like to see a better future for ourselves -- and our children. We should
be able to agree that in today's world of cyberspace we are all so
connected that problems anywhere will eventually affect us. Our best chance for
the future is to pursue policies and choose actions that applied worldwide will
benefit everyone.
WHAT HISTORY TEACHES
To understand what is best we should look at what history teaches. Since the
dawn of history every generation has seen both love and hate, fear and trust,
violence and compassion. Through the centuries, one's loyalty to tribe, clan or
country was repeatedly used for fighting, ever seeking more land, wealth or
power. Power schemes were based on the idea that success will go, not to those
who are right but to the force with the stronger weapons. Even today there are
those who believe that bombs help us get "Peace through Power." While
cities joined to form states and nations formed power blocks it was always to
counter other groups with power of money and weapons. Finally, the League of
Nations and then the United Nations sought peace through understanding. But the
patterns of loyalty and fear of "the other" caused repeated failures.
Too often, spite and revenge won the day.
The failures of the past do not necessarily condemn any new effort to failure.
There has been a measure of success from time to time in history where religious
faith provided creative altruism that was stronger than
political or nationalistic rivalries. "This Freedom Whence" by Charles
Wesley Brady, described the Wesleyan revivals of the 18th Century that countered
social injustice, political rivalries and slavery with "Strength To
Love,"
which later was the title of a book by Martin Luther King Jr. The efforts of
William Penn and the Quakers were a positive force for relations with neighbors.
Also important was the success of Ghandi in India's non-violent
revolution.
Religious faith is the best aid to social progress. This should be
acknowledged by the world community.
There are new factors in the state of the world today that taken advantage of
could finally enlarge our loyalties to include the whole human family. The enemy
would no longer be other people, but instead would be the ignorance, poverty and
injustice that is found in any part of the world. The key to defeating these
enemies of humanity is the spread of solutions that are working. Now Internet
can help make this happen.
FINDING COMMON GROUND
Religion at its best has taught altruism and from time to time fostered peaceful
progress. On the other hand, in the past, differences in creeds about the
mysteries of life and death have many times resulted in conflict,
violence and sometimes war. This need not be. We all respond emotionally to
icons of belief which have formed as a result of our personal experiences. One
of the best men I know, a man who has saved millions of acres of
wilderness forests from being destroyed, has no religious belief. He said he did
not have time to study things that are unknowable. And then he added, "The
worst wars in history were fought in the name of religion." He is a
thoughtful man. His experience and thought had left him with this view.
On the other hand, while what he said was true, I believe many of the greatest
victories over difficulties have been the result of religious belief. In my own
case I was once in prison, because of my religious views on
war and what should be done about it. Placed in solitary confinement I was
limited to bread and water. I refused the bread for 11 days -- losing 40 pounds.
I was without light or heat in what they called "The Black Box."
Afterwards I was released and charges against me were dropped.
The thing that sustained me in this soul wrenching experience was the words in a
song by Catherine Booth of the Salvation Army. Over a hundred years ago she was
imprisoned in a French cell where she had to fight off the rats. While there she
wrote, "Blest beloved of my soul. I am here alone with thee. And my prison
is a haven, since thou sharest it with me."
Coming back to my environmentalist friend, the interesting thing is that while
he has no interest in questions about God and we disagree on its importance, my
friend and I firmly agree and have supported each other on
environmental issues. Focus on common ground will prevent going to war over
differences.
The world will be a far better place when people are taught to accent the
positive and work together where they agree -- regardless of differences in
other matters. The way to bring this about is to spread the Earth Trustee
vision and agenda by word and example. Be an Earth Trustee. Have some project
that will help achieve Earth Trustee goals. Persuade any group of which you are
a member to adopt the Earth Magna Charta and its Earth Trustee agenda.
"COULD BE"
Norman Corwin wrote a powerful play years ago called "Could Be."
The following is an example of what could result from worldwide adoption of the
Earth Trustee idea. This is a possible scenario - beginning in 2001. Here is
a future that "Could Be."
A Wish For the New Millennium:
MIRACLE PLANET TO ADOPT EARTH TRUSTEE AGENDA
The Secretary General of the United Nations issues a statement summarizing the
role the annual Earth Day Ceremony at the United Nations has played in bridging
differences and inspiring cooperation for mutual global goals. The President of
the General Assembly announces a resolution has been unanimously passed in the
General Assembly approving global celebration each year of Earth Day when the
Peace Bell is rung on the first day of Spring.
Earth Day 2001 and each year in the New Millennium will be celebrated worldwide
on Nature's Day, March 20-21. Leaders of every religion are invited to consider
Earth Day a holy day with special services related to peace;
justice; stewardship and care of the precious skin of life that covers our
globe.
Media Role
With the help of radio, TV, press and World Wide Web the moment of equinox on
Earth Day will be observed as a global minute of silent prayer, a time for
heartfelt dedication to think and act as responsible Trustees of Earth. To
continue and strengthen commitment, daily Earth Minutes will follow.
Cities And States
The state of Alabama has issued an Earth Trustee Proclamation. Its city of
Decatur is engaged in asking every young person to register as a Young Earth
Trustee and volunteer for work in one of the many organizations that need help.
Many youth organizations --church, school, environmental, health -- are
increasing their membership and efforts. They are making their communities
"Earth Trustee Communities" -- rapidly reducing pollution, poverty and
violence.
To aid these efforts the local radio and TV stations are featuring daily Earth
Minutes and reporting on solutions being discovered and progress in pursuing the
Earth Trustee agenda. Actions and progress are reported on
Decatur's Earth Trustee Web Site. New environmentally sound production and
marketing provide more sales and jobs. Interest and replication is spreading to
other cities. TV networks are monitoring the spread of Earth Trustee
efforts. As religious leaders and celebrities in the performing arts discuss
possibilities, boards of major corporations meet to plan how they can help the
effort. Politicians and TV anchors now use items in the Earth Magna Charta to
measure the harm or help shown in actions of individuals and institutions.
Bethel, Connecticut has adopted the Earth Magna Charta and is engaging every
segment of the community in making their town an example of the power and
benefit of the Earth Trustee Agenda. Earth Trustee Forums and Message
Boards on Internet are spreading the idea around the world.
Nations And Continents
Reports are coming from other countries of independent Earth Trustee efforts,
using the Earth Magna Charta as a guide for policies and actions. Nepal
announces adoption of the Earth Magna Charta and is urging the United Nations to
follow suit. Saudi Arabia approves the Earth Magna Charta and in accordance with
its agenda uses two percent of its oil revenues to provide homes and education
for the disinherited poor in neighboring countries. Iran is following suit.
Austria adopted the Earth Magna Charta and its United Nations Center now
provides a World Wide Web Earth Trustee Information Center. Their interactive
systems can assist Earth Trustee efforts worldwide.
Pope John Paul II and Billy Graham call for global observance of the daily Earth
Minutes and participation in Earth Trustee efforts. The Pope stated, "The
strength of simple clear souls can now bring the changes needed." Billy
Graham said, "Let us prove the power of our faith in a future life by our
works in this life."
REPENTANCE AND RENEWAL
December 22, 2001: A day for Repentance and Forgiveness. This day,
just three days before Christmas has been repeatedly observed as "Minute
for Peace Day." This began in 1963 when we ended the period of
mourning for President Kennedy. In facing the auspicious opportunities and
responsibilities of the new millennium it is important that we put the past
behind and make the New Millennium a New Beginning for humanity. In the
Third Millennium let people, governments and institutions of every kind be
judged - not by what they did in the 20th Century - with all its hate and
violence, but by what they do in the 21st. While some are far more guilty
than others, there is enough guilt to go all around. Its time to forgive
and forget, to repent and renew. Now is the time for love in action to
prove its power.
Star Of Hope
To provide a new symbol of hope for the new millennium, France announces they
will launch the Star of Hope Satellite ("Star of Tolerance"), which
has been approved by the General Assembly. It will have a polar orbit and be
seen each night on every continent. Flashing at the rate of a newborn child's
heartbeat the Star of Hope will be as bright as Venus. It will contain a memory
disk with the names of individuals from every continent who have mailed their
names to the United Nations declaring their intention to think and act as Earth
Trustees. The Satellite will also radio reports from the United Nations on Earth
Trustee progress. The Star of Hope will be launched on Earth Day, March 20-21,
2003. A child looking up at night may say, "That's the Star of Hope. My
name's in it. I'm a Trustee of Planet Earth."
NEW MILLENNIUM
As we enter the New Millennium a new global attitude results in common sense
solutions to human problems. Instead of people in needy countries heading for
what they think would be better prospects in crowded cities, they are being
helped to form small Earth Villages where they are trained to operate computers
with interactive systems for information and production. Cyberspace is now
providing new systems of supply and demand that by-pass bankers and their unfair
control of money and credit.
Through the spread of World Wide Web people everywhere are able to tap the
latest solution in food production, home and community design, energy supply,
products and travel.. Music, dance, art, education and religious institutions
also benefit from the Earth Trustee vision and agenda. More people have leisure
to enjoy concerts, recreation, be with their families and pursue the great
mysteries of life, "Why are we here, where are we going?"
The United Nations is now strengthened by a World Council of Communities that
provides more decisions and responsibility at the grass roots level. In the Year
2001 the United Nations celebrates Earth Day with the ringing of a new Peace
Bell in Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus. People of all creeds and cultures join
in the global Earth Day celebration of thanksgiving for love and life on our
miracle planet. A new millennium, an Earth Trustee
Millennium, of great promise has begun.
"Could Be" You can make a difference. This scenario will
succeed as you and others who read this, each do something to help. Also,
tell your friends about it. Go to: www.earthsite.org
and fill out the form, which will register your intention to be an Earth
Trustee.
We need words and actions - actions that give meaning to the words. Post
Earth Trustee reports and plans by your city, business, school, church or other
institution in Message Boards and Forums that will spread participation.
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Earth Magna Charta http://www.earthsite.org
Contributions to help our effort can be made
out to Earth Trustees, Inc.
and sent to:
John McConnell, 1933 Woodbine St.,
Ridgewood, New York, USA 11385