A Contract with the Earth

2. A Contract with the Earth

2 A Contract with the Earth The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: We are all in the same boat. jacques yves cousteau This page intentionally left blank 11 our nation’s moral obligation to provide e√ective environmental leadership will require the formation of new strategic partnerships among nations, nongovernmental organizations, and multinational corporations dedicated to protecting and renewing the earth’s precious resources. International partnerships can only be achieved with presidential leadership and significant bipartisan support in Congress. For too long, the adversarial political climate in America inhibited cooperation, consensus, and action in this domain. Civility, compromise, and unity of purpose are necessary precursors to meaningful global cooperation. In addition, the focused energy, creativity, enthusiasm, and endorsement of the American people will be necessary to achieve the gold standard of a sustainable, renewable world. To reach new benchmarks in protecting and renewing the environment and guarantee a bright and enduring future for our children and grandchildren, we ask you to join with us to advance the ten commitments of this Contract with the Earth. 1. Take the Lead. Let us a≈rm that America is willing to resume its role as the environmental leader of the world. Further, the burden of leadership requires that Americans help shape an earth where waste is minimized by reducing , reusing, and recycling; where water and air meet stringent standards of cleanliness; where fossil fuels have been largely modified for carbon recycling or replaced by carbon neutral alternatives; where forests, wetlands, lakes, and the world’s oceans have been restored to health; A Contract with the Earth 12 where the pace of plant and animal extinction has been e√ectively abated and biological diversity regenerated; where humanity’s collective impact on the earth has been moderated by prudent management of our natural resources and innovative technologies that act to replenish and restore the earth’s damaged ecosystems; and where the environmental quality of life is no longer in decline but continues to improve for all nations throughout the world. 2. Reward a New Generation of Environmental Entrepreneurs . Acknowledge that we must create the context in which entrepreneurial environmentalists will flourish. Reject the notion that free enterprise and environmentalism are opposing forces. Stoke the competitive fire of environmental science and green enterprise through significant investments that hasten the pace of change and innovation . Focus and nurture environmental business, large and small, throughout the nation, to create and advance a multitude of renewable, sustainable, and restorative technologies . Continue the momentum that has made America a world leader in energy e≈ciency by providing powerful incentives to cultivate genius and innovation. Reach out to potential collaborators to form diverse and inclusive partnerships to disseminate prosperity and opportunity. Signi ficantly expand the pool of environmental entrepreneurs by ensuring that higher education is available to every American who wants to learn. 3. Retire or Rejuvenate Old Technologies. Diminish our dependence on environmentally unfriendly and harmful A Contract with the Earth 13 technologies by reforming government and industry, offering compelling alternatives and incentives to invest in and to transfer to better technologies. Innovation, improved industrial operating standards, and the constant migration to emerging best practices will modify old technologies into acceptable forms. Let us commit to change— and lead the change—but not retreat when faced with formidable challenges. By overcoming di≈cult problems, we are challenged to pay attention, think, and create for a better future. We must commit to a future characterized by ubiquitous, clean technologies. 4. Transform the Role of Government. Government alone cannot solve complex environmental problems, but government in partnership with organizations and businesses ensures that thoughtful environmental action will strengthen both the economy and the environment. Government , at all levels, should be a facilitator for entrepreneurial , private-sector innovations and the formation of private-public environmental partnerships, supporting and not suppressing the creativity of entrepreneurial environmentalists . The resources of government should be consistently applied to reduce red tape and facilitate progress . Some regulation will always be necessary, but it should be limited, focused, and reasonable to liberate the full potential of market innovation. 5. Become an Aspirational and Inspirational Nation. Expect that our local, state, and federal governments and their business enterprise partners will be both aspirational A Contract with the...