From: pullen@cs.washington.edu (Walter D. Pullen)
Newsgroups: alt.save.the.earth,talk.environment,talk.religion.newage
Subject: Loving Mother Earth :)
Summary: A declaration of commitment to global awareness
Keywords: Earth Day
Date: 8 Apr 92 20:05:02 GMT
Organization: University of Washington Computer Science


April 25, 1992 marks the 22nd anniversary of Earth Day! I found the
following "Declaration of Commitment to Global Awareness" in a local
wholistic newspaper, _The New Times_, which I have reprinted below. I
like it because it contains a good balance of what needs to be done to
help our planet while not going overboard in an eco-fascist frenzy. It
also includes the often overlooked fact that personal, inner growth is
just as important as what we do externally. (Notice statement #1 is
very similar to Ed Carp's "So you really want peace?" article. :)

--

          /-----------------------------------------------\
          | DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL AWARENESS |
          \-----------------------------------------------/

     We the undersigned hereby issue this declaration of our
commitment to live consciously attuned with nature within our global
community. Our goal is to help raise the awareness of our brothers and
sisters, through our examples, so that we all may work together to
heal our planet.
     We acknowledge that each person has unique gifts and perspectives
that any one of us may not agree with. Each one of us will honor those
differences and seek to learn from them with an open heart and mind.
We will align with and support those whom we feel urged to do so and
simply allow others to be, without criticism of judgement.
     We are not a club, a cult, or a religion. We are people who
simply want to live in joy and harmony with the Earth and leave a
healthy planet for our future generations. There are no dues, there
are no rules. Your commitment is to yourself and to our future
generations. There is no one to judge or measure your actions, only
you.

     1. I hereby intend and commit to cooperate rather than to
compete.
     2. I will seek to reduce my overall consumption. I will recycle
or reuse everything and anything I can. I will consider with every
purchase I make, every job I perform, every organization I support the
impact upon the planet, now and for all future generations. This
includes a product's source and manufacturing, its use and disposal. I
will consider when supporting organizations their use of fear,
suppression, prejudice, or other motivations that create feelings of
separation, alienation, or unhealthy competition among people.
     3. I will support education for everyone that encourages
literacy, competency, free-thinking, and creative expression. I will
also support expansion of the arts, sciences, technologies, and
trades.
     4. I will seek to honor and remember the Earth and her gift of
life daily. I will honor and nurture that gift in everyone I meet and
everything I see.
     5. I will honor my body, mind, and spirit, by feeding it clean
air, water, food, thoughts, and emotions. I will remember that as I
create my physical environment, I am also always creating my
spiritual, emotional, and mental environment as well.
     6. I will remember the law of supply and demand. If I and others
demand it, someone will supply it. Suppliers only produce that which
makes them profits.

          EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE POINTS:

     2A: I will plan for and use whenever possible: cloth napkins,
handkerchiefs, rags, and sponges instead of paper towels, napkins, and
tissues. (Including feminine hygiene products and baby diapers.)
     2B: I will buy in bulk using recyclable bags and containers
whenever possible. I will avoid overpackaging and products packaged in
materials that strain the environment.
     2C: I will buy organically, locally-grown produce whenever I can.
I will also support those farmers in their transitions to organic
practices by purchasing their produce.
     2D: I will support those companies and organizations that promote
and use recycled products, and/or that are making an honest effort to
clean up their facilities and practices. I will boycott products
manufactured by and not work for companies that consistently pollute
the soil, air, and water. I will also boycott organizations that
mistreat their employees or use animal testing.
     2E: I will dispose of hazardous wastes appropriately. (Call your
city to find out how.) Hazardous wastes include many paints, stains,
solvents, lacquers, motor oil, gasoline, pesticides, detergents,
chlorine bleach (city may not recognize this one as a H.W.) and etc.
     2F: I will use borax (to kill fleas, remove stains and brighten
laundry), vinegar, hydrogen peroxide (to bleach out stains), baking
soda, and other non-toxic products instead of harsh detergents and
chlorine bleach.

     3A: I will turn away from TV programs, books and movies that
promote violence, abuse, deceit, prejudice, stereotyping, and that
create illusions, emotional numbness, or excessive negative thoughts
and feelings. I will turn to that which stimulates creativity,
imagination, truth, and exploration of the self and more.

     4A: If possible I will grow my own fruits and vegetables, plant
trees, and flowers. I will compost and garden in harmony with nature.
     4B: I will visualize the Earth as a garden and act upon the
inspirations and intuitions I receive in response to recreate the
garden.
     4C: I will help create or preserve open spaces for wildlife and
diversity among species.

     Sincerely in Love and Light: Carol Brady; Avona L'Carttier;
Sharon Mitcheletti; Annie Moorehouse; Mary Jane Wagner.

--

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|     Walter D. "Cruiser1" Pullen     |     pullen@lynx.cs.washington.edu     |
-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
|   "Who am I, What am I?  As I am, I am not.  But as we are, I AM.  And to   |
-   you my creation, My Perfect Love is your Perfect Freedom. And I will be   -
|   with you forever and ever, until the End, and then forever more." - GOD   |
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