 Ten Green Key Values
Ecological
Wisdom
Human societies must
operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate
from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the
ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We
support a sustainable society that utilizes resources in such a way
that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices
of our generation. To this end we must have agricultural practices that
replenish the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in
ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.
Social Justice and Equal
Opportunity
All persons should have the
rights and
opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by
society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves,
our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and
class oppression, sexism and heterosexism, ageism and disability, which
act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.
Nonviolence
It is essential that we develop
effective alternatives to our
current patterns of violence at all levels, from the family and the
streets, to nations and the world. We will work to demilitarize our
society and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive
about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for
self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations.
We promote nonviolent methods to oppose practices and policies with
which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal,
community and global peace.
Decentralization
Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social
and
economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization.
Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economic
institutions away from a system that is controlled by and mostly
benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system.
Decision making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual
and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all
citizens.
Community Based Economics
We
recognize it is
essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that
can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living, for all
people, while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. A successful
economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a
"living wage" which reflects the real value of a person's work. Local
communities must look to economic development that assures protection
of the environment and workers' rights, broad citizen participation in
planning, and enhancement of our "quality of life". We support
independently owned and operated companies which are socially
responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that
spread out resources and control to more people through democratic
participation.
Feminism
We have
inherited a
social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We
call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and
control, with more cooperative ways of interacting which respect
differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between
the sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed
with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that
determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving
the outcome we want.
Respect for Diversity
We believe it
is
important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and
spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful
relationships across these lines. We believe the many diverse elements
of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision making
bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been
traditionally closed out of leadership roles. We acknowledge and
encourage respect for other life forms and the preservation of
biodiversity.
Personal and Global responsibility
We encourage
individuals to act to improve their personal well being and, at the
same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to
join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace,
economic justice, and the health of the planet.
Future Focus and
Sustainability
Our actions and policies should
be
motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural
resources, safely disposing of or "unmaking" all waste we create, while
developing a sustainable economics that does not depend on continual
expansion for survival. We must counter-balance the drive for short
term profits by assuring that economic development, new technologies,
and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will
inherit the results of our actions. Our overall goal is not merely to
survive, but to share lives that are truly worth living. We believe the
quality of our individual lives is enriched by the quality of all of
our lives. We encourage everyone to see the dignity and intrinsic worth
in all of life, and to take the time to understand and appreciate
themselves, their community and the magnificent beauty of this world.
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