wise words

[emordnilap]

I've lifted this from the ASPO Ireland May 2008 newsletter. I'm sure they won't mind. By posting here, it's preaching largely to the converted (with a nod to RGR!) in the hope that you'll pass on the text to less 'got-it' fora.

Speaking at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the President of Bolivia has enunciated what seem to be eminently sensible guidelines. Note in particular the references to the depletion of fossil fuels:

First: is a call to end the capitalist system. It was inhuman and encouraged unbridled economic development. The exploitation of human beings and pillaging of natural resources must end, as should wars aimed at securing access to those resources. Also, the world should end the plundering of fossil fuels; excessive consumption of goods; the accumulation of waste; as well as the egoism, regionalism and thirst for earnings where the pursuit of luxury was taking place at the expense of human beings. Countries of the south were heaped with external debt, when it was the ecological debt that needed paying.

Second: the world should denounce war, which brought advantage to a small few. In that vein, it is time to end occupation under the pretext of "combating drugs", such as in South America, as well as other pretexts such as searching for weapons of mass destruction. Money earmarked for war should be channelled to make reparations for damage caused to the Earth.

Third: there should be a world without imperialism, where no country is dependent upon or subordinate to another. States must look for complementary relationships rather than engage in unfair competition with each other. Member States of the United Nations should consider the asymmetry that exists among nations and seek a way to lessen deep economic differences. Moving along those lines, the Security Council - with its lifelong members holding veto rights - should be democratized.

Fourth: access to water should be treated as a human right, and policies allowing the privatization of water should be banned. Indigenous peoples have had a long experience of mobilizing themselves to uphold the right to water. It is necessary to form an international convention on water to guarantee it as a human right and to protect against its appropriation by a select few.

Fifth: the world should promote clean and eco-friendly energies, as well as end the wasteful use of energy. Fossil fuels are nearing depletion, yet those who promote biofuels in their place are making "a serious mistake". It was not right to set aside land not for the benefit of human beings, in order that a small few could operate luxurious vehicles. It is also because of biofuels that the price of rice and bread has risen; and the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are now warning that such policies must be prevented. The world should explore more sustainable forms of alternative energy, such as geothermal, solar, wind and hydro-electric power.

Sixth: there should be more respect for Mother Earth, and the indigenous movement must bring its influence to bear in fostering that attitude. The world must stop thinking of Mother Earth in the capitalist sense -- which was that of a raw material to be traded. For who could privatize or hire out his mother?

Seventh: is the importance of gaining access to basic services for all. Services such as education and transport should not be the preserve of private trade.

Eighth: is a call that the consumption of only what is necessary and what is produced locally. There is a need to end consumerism, waste and luxury. It is an irony that millions of dollars are being spent to combat obesity in one half of the globe, while the other is dying of hunger. The impending food crisis will necessarily bring an end to the free market, where countries suffering hunger are being made to export their food. There is a similar case with oil, where the priority lies in selling it abroad, rather than domestically.

Ninth: is the importance of promoting unity and diversity of economies, and that the indigenous movement should put forth a call for unity and diversity in the spirit of multilateralism.

Tenth: the world should live under the tenet of "trying to live well", but not at the expense of others.

[RenewableCandy]

Beats the crap out of the Ten Commandments
A bit more "aspirational", mind...

[kenneal - lagger]

Get rid of the "World Powers" but that still leaves the likes of North Korea, Burma and Zimbabwe, which are all home grown. Then there's Al Qaeda, the lot in northern Uganda, FARC and a whole bunch of thugs in Somalia, not to mention piracy on the high seas on the upturn.

Nice sentiments put it will be years yet, before it comes to pass, unfortunately.

[Aurora]

Get rid of the "World Powers" but that still leaves the likes of North Korea, Burma and Zimbabwe, which are all home grown. Then there's Al Qaeda, the lot in northern Uganda, FARC and a whole bunch of thugs in Somalia, not to mention piracy on the high seas on the upturn.

Nice sentiments put it will be years yet, before it comes to pass, unfortunately.

I agree Ken. A beautiful wish list but a long way from the reality of our worsening global situation. Still, we all need to have a dream.

[snow hope]

The President of Bolivia gets my vote - wise words indeed!