If we are aware of the inter-connectedness of things, we cannot deny our responsibility for other life forms on earth. We are accountable to the future generations for the use we make now of our bio-sphere. Classic economic notions of efficiency can no longer be the guiding factor of our decisions. The Seoul Declaration recognizes that we live in a world of finite resources. Resources should not be consumed in a way that impoverishes people in other parts of the planet.
Responsibility means being accountable to other societies as well.
And finally, the Seoul Declaration acknowledges universal justice as applied to the environment. Injustice to one is injustice to all. Universal freedom will be an empty slogan until all living beings are freed from unprincipled exploitation. Every species on this earth has a right to survival, for its existence is linked to that of the entire community of life on the earth. I applaud the efforts the Korea Environmental Technology Research Institute has made in bringing together so many luminaries from all countries to work for a new and better world.