next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
kn Hello all. An interesting piece snipped from the Choose Sustainability web site (address contained within following text). General interest to some on list to be sure An interesting initiative is taking place in Canadian environmental policy, now in public discussions. It is led by several concerned individuals from my neck of the woods in Eastern Ontario, in particular a first time Liberal MP, Joe Jordan. He is a really interesting guy, even taking the time to listen to constituents...and his ideas are well thought out. Anyhow, ignore that preamble and take a read of the following draft of a potential new bill to be brought to federal legislature - it draws on an diverse set of ideas that many of us discuss or apply daily. Leif Helmer MES candidate School for resource and Environmental Studies Dalhousie University Halifax, Canada ph: 902-494-3632 fx: 902-494-3728 Note: The following is a DRAFT only. Until the "7th Generation Bill" has been worked into the actual format to be presented in the House of Commons, this document can only be considered as the spirit of the proposal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Proposal to the Government of Canada The "7th Generation Bill" "There is a tradition within some aboriginal cultures, whenever decisions are being made, to consider the interests of the next seven generations. For the modern world to do the same would mark our passage to maturity." Planning for Seven Generations Be it resolved: That the Treasury Board Guidelines for evaluating proposed legislation be amended to include the values of community cohesion and ecosystem health outlined below. We encourage the Government of Canada to develop a system for measuring the situation in Canada with respect to these values and to report annually on the findings Preamble: The "7th Generation Bill" is about responsibility. It is about caring for the well-being of civilization over the long-term and responding to developments that put long-term well-being at risk. Seven generations is long enough for small, cumulative, negative impacts to become significant problems. Planning for seven generations implies responsibility for decisions that lead toward trouble even if the trouble will not become problematic for many years. People have walked the Earth for more than ten thousand generations. We owe the privilege of life to the work of those who came before and to the billions of years of ecological preparation that shaped a world capable of supporting us. It is our responsibility to plan and act so as to preserve the opportunities we enjoy today, for generations to come. Seven generations is long enough for personal and vested interests to become irrelevant. Decisions made in the interest of the 7th generation are, therefore, not made for personal gain; they are made for the common good. The human family has grown to an enormous size and strength, capable of great creativity and immense destruction. To our credit are remarkable accomplishments in education, heath care, psychology, science, art and communications. But with these accomplishments comes the fact that we have become a force comparable only to continental glaciation in our effect on the face of the Earth. Civilization is at a stage equivalent to late adolescence. As individuals, when we reach adult size, we have the strength and ability to do almost anything. With adult capabilities, however, we become responsible for our actions. All earthly life, including ourselves and the generations that follow, have to live with the consequences of our collective activities. As the new Millennium dawns, we face a number of trends which, if not corrected, will progressively undermine the foundations of civilization. Those who have risen to decision-making positions have a responsibility to be mindful of these trends. The actions and inaction which they influence will have decisive effects for all life on Earth. This enormous responsibility is not easy to carry. By engaging the inspiration and creativity of concerned citizens, the burden can be shared. A transparent, open decision-making process can examine a wide variety of possibilities in search of effective, equitable, long-term solutions that are at the same time responsive to present needs. The effort and will of all who are concerned is our greatest potential for addressing the problems before us. To apply anything less than our greatest potential is to gamble with the lives of our grandchildren. Areas of responsibility include: I) Community Cohesion: Whereas: The primary element of civilization is that of people living and interacting with other people in communities. Whether these be geographic communities, economic communities or communities of interest, our sustenance and emotional foundations are dependent on their well-being. This well-being is dependent on the inclusion of all citizens in mutual provision and decision-making and on opportunities for people to enjoy life. Therefore: Decision-making must consider the impact of decisions on: i) Economic inclusion: Every person requires opportunities to participate in the processes that provide for our needs. Among other things, we all need food, shelter, education and health services. To maintain personal well-being, we must be able to contribute something to society in exchange for these basic needs. If a person is unable to get what they need in a dignified fashion, the costs to the individual, their family, community and society as a whole are unacceptably high. ii) Unpaid work: Unpaid work in families and communities is critical to the well-being of society. We must recognize and encourage this work as a valuable, legitimate way for people to contribute to society. iii) Democracy: In the interests of fairness and good decisions, people need to be involved in the decisions that affect their lives. Decisions are better informed when everyone affected can add their perspectives into the decision-making process. The implementation of decisions is more effective when people have been involved in determining the action. Exclusion, on the other hand, can lead to poor decisions, injustice, unrest and social upheaval. Furthermore: People flourish when life offers them not just the security of economic and democratic inclusion but also opportunities for personal development. If we are to achieve the enduring golden age that should be the destiny of our immensely gifted species, we need to bear this in mind and be sure that opportunities for personal fulfillment are among our goals. After material sufficiency has been achieved, fulfillment has little to do with more consumption. Policies that direct people to spend their lives consuming, and that ignore the development of our human qualities are responsible for the loss of culture and meaning in our lives. II) Ecological Health: Whereas: The Earth and the life processes on it are the foundation of our existence. It is our responsibility to maintain in perpetuity the health and integrity of these systems. Policy proposals must take into account the environmental impacts that the policies would have if they were to remain in place for seven generations. Therefore: Decision-making must consider the impact of decisions on: i) Biodiversity: All species have a right to existence. All life on