10 Commandments to Save the EarthSpeaking at the United Nations today, Bolivian president Evo Morales proposed 10 commandments to save the planet, life and humanity. In summary the 10 Commandments proposed by President Morales are:

May 2008Global Healing News

1. Stopping the capitalist system

2. Renouncing wars javascript:void(0)

3. A world without imperialism or colonialism

4. Right to water

5. Development of clean energies

6. Respect for Mother Earth

7. Basic services such as human rights

8. Fighting inequalities

9. Promoting diversity of cultures and economies

10. Living well, not living better at the expense of others.

Analysis and commentary next page

Commentary and Analysis on the Proposed 10 Commandments to Save the Earth:

1. The need to end the capitalist system has been debated from may different perspectives. While not all would agree with the call to end capitalism it is clear that the Earth needs to be better factored into economic systems. In the book For The Common Good Economist Herman Daily and Theologian John Cobb do just that. They propose that a new index they call the Net Economic Welfare (NEW) replace the GDP has the driving economic force, that economics be scaled to promote smaller sustainable communities, and that real values of the environment become part of the economy including taxes on pollution etc. While Morales may not have proposed the best ultimate economic solution he has clearly identified a significant problem that needs addressed. See: http://www.scottlondon.com/reviews/daly.html

2. Denouncing war would be both good for the environment and the economy. When countries like Costa Rica and Panama chose to abolish their armies in favor of a national police force and more resources for economic development, that decision has paid great dividends. Today the U.S. is losing strength as an economic power due to its large investment in the Iraq War and the 3 Trillion War cost has come at the expense of many needed programs either being cut back or not happening at all.

3. Bringing more equity among nations of the world is a growing challenge. Today of the 192 members states of the United Nations, 145 of them are classified as “Least Developed Countries” (LDCʼs). Developed Nations have not even filled their voluntary commitment of 0.7% of their GDP that was first agreed upon over 30 years ago and reaffirmed both in the Millennium Development Goals and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa.

Developed Nations of the World need to first live up to their voluntary commitments and then assess additional strategies to forgive debt, provide resources for sustainable development, and improve trade in the LDCʼs. See: http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/press/07.htm

4. Providing access to clean and safe water is to many one of the most critical issues of our time. Unlike Oil resources which substitutes can be obtained for energy, there is no substitute for water. Many believe that water conflicts may soon become more serious than oil conflicts around the globe. See: http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/natres/waterindex.htm

View from the North Pole

5. Development of clean energies is a global necessity to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Morales also points out the ethical problems of using agricultural land to keep the misguided oil economy going while it is having serious food consequences on the poor. While a case can be made that in certain places such as the Caribbean that sugar based alcohol production might be a win / win solution, for the most part Morales is right in condemning the biofuels solutions. Energy efficiency is the best way to reduce energy costs, followed more energy efficiency and then using renewable energy sources seems to be the formula that most agree upon for the best results.

6. Increasing respect for Mother Earth is perhaps one of the real keys in shifting values. Russell Train, former head of the U.S. Council for Environmental Quality and had of the World Wildlife fund observed that the Earth is not in need of better stewardship but better relationship. He observed that stewardship is about management. The Earth is not in need of management and in fact would do quite well without it. If anything it is humans that are more in need of being managed not the Earth. What the Earth does need from humans though is a better relationship, a relationship of respect as President Morales is calling for.

7. Providing basic services for all i.e. Education, transport, etc. is what the Millennium Goals are currently attempting achieve. There is no argument on this point just the lack of will to get the job done. Stronger support for the Millennium Development Goals would go a long way in addressing this concern.

8. Reducing consumption to only what is necessary and what can be produced locally, might help move some countries closer to sustainability yet cause many other problems. Without trade for example many nations would not be able to survive. Exports like Coffee for example are enjoyed by people around the world. Should people be forced to give up coffee just because it can not be grown locally? Many other goods and services and be produced at less cost and in a more environmentally friendly way on a regional and/or global scale than they can locally.

9. Promoting unity and diversity of economies would is a basic principle of ecosystems. The more diversity in an ecosystem the stronger that system is to sustain itself. Farmers also know this principle of diversity of crops giving them a hedge when one crop may not do as well one season that others can make up for the loss.

Economic systems are the same way. The more diverse the economy sources are as opposed to dependent on one major crop, product, or service, the more likely it is to weather difficult times.

10. The last principle to strive to live well but not at the expense of others seems one that needs serious consideration in the world.

When does one lifestyle come at the expense of others? Should there be a maximum wage just as there is a minimum wage. Ben and Jerryʼs Ice Cream began with a policy that no individual in the company would earn more than ten times the amount of the lowest paid individual in the company.

The current trend in the world is that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Finding policies that balance the need to keep economic free enterprise incentives while not doing so at the expense of others is a balance that needs to be strived for.

In Summary, President Morales has provided great material to begin many needed conversations to heal the Earth. I donʼt think they have really reached the status of commandments though. :)

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