Here's another page for our hymnal, taken from my friend Guy Dauncy's website: Earthfuture

THE EARTH PLEDGE

"The Earth Flag is my symbol

of the task before us all.

We are the custodians of the future of the Earth.

Unless we check the rapacious exploitations

of our Earth and protect it,

we have endangered the future of our children

and our children's children.

It reminds us how helpless this planet is -

something that we must hold in our arms

and care for."---

Margaret Mead, March 1977

I THEREFORE PLEDGE to live, work and act in a loving, respectful way towards this Earth that I call home, and towards all who live upon it, every insect, animal, fish, bird, plant, human and tree. In honour of this pledge, I commit myself to the following :

TO LIVE simply, resisting the urge to overpurchase and avoiding the purchase of things the production of which I know to have involved social or environmental harm.

TO EAT wholesome food produced locally by organic methods, and to minimize my consumption of food which I know to have involved cruelty to animals or other environmental harm.

TO CONDUCT myself in a harmonious, peaceable manner, avoiding selfish or arrogant behaviour, giving love and kindness to those around me.

TO TRAVEL where possible by foot, skate, bike, transit, train or carpool, and to minimize my use of the automobile, reducing my contribution to global warming, air pollution, stress and danger.

TO WORK at an activity which brings me fulfilment, and which contributes to the increased wellbeing and harmony of the Earth, and its many people, plants and creatures.

TO INVEST my savings in a socially responsible manner, supporting projects and businesses which seek to benefit nature and humanity, minimizing their physical impact on the Earth.

TO AVOID the use of chemical drugs, pesticides, fertilizers or cleaning products which I suspect to be harmful to human, animal or plant life, and to use instead natural alternatives which have been created for this purpose.

TO STUDY the details of issues or topics that attract me, so that I can act in a useful, well-informed manner and make a valuable contribution in my chosen field.

TO EXPLORE the realities of people, species and ecosystems outside this country, that I may better understand the hopes and difficulties of those with whom I share the Earth.

TO PROTEST those activities which I consider to be harmful to the present or future wellbeing of the Earth, and its many people, plants and creatures.

TO SUPPORT those whom I consider to be working in a worthy and committed way for the future wellbeing of the Earth, and its many people, plants and creatures.

TO JOIN with others who are working for similar goals, so that I can contribute my gifts, enjoy the gifts that come with fellowship, and fulfill the dream of the Earth.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000

Answers

Thanks Hallyx,

Will peruse this weekend. Gotta dash.

Diane

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000

Hallyx, I agree with all 13 pledges. So far I've failed one miserably. I'm working on three of them, and doing just fine on all the others.

Just think, if everyone just followed those few simply pledges, as much as possible for their situation, how much better off we and the earth would be. I imagine that this would go a long way to reducing stress which is overwhelming many in the U. S., from our--go go! buy buy! achieve achieve! more is better!--mentality.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2000

Hi gilda,

I was wondering when you'd find your way over here. I see Nadine Zint is on another thread here. I wonder if Dianne should post an invite to the Earth-friendly posters at TB2K. I know it's a gamble of collecting trolls. Your valiant efforts at education and enlightenment represent energy well-spent over there. (I finally flat gave up on those cretins. Sorry.)

Anyway, good to type you.

Hallyx

"The rule of no realm is mine, but all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail in my task if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I too am a steward. Did you not know?" Gandalf-- The Return of the King-- J.R.R. Tolkien

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2000