Earth Charter: Earth Charter U.S. | Sustainable Global Community - A Voter’s Guide based on the Earth Charter

A Voter’s Guide based on the Earth Charter

This Voter’s Guide was prepared by Earth Charter Indiana & Kat Gjovik in Seattle for League of Earth Charter Voters

We choose our future every day. As citizens we have an important opportunity & responsibility to help shape our future by casting informed votes in local, state & national elections.

How do we, as ordinary citizens, make informed decisions? What are the important issues, & how do we determine which candidates will make the best government leaders? Who speaks – & acts – for the values we believe are key to a positive future?

Respect & Care for the Community of Life
Ecological Integrity
Social & Economic Justice, Democracy, Nonviolence & Peace

Questions to research or ask, in person and/or via e-mail:

Questions to Ask Your Candidates

Candidate’s position
What are his/her basic values and beliefs regarding issues that are important to you?
What are his/her priorities? His/her “world view?”
What life experiences and hopes for the future have informed his/her position on important issues?

Candidate’s leadership record
What is his/her voting record related to the environment, social & economic justice, peace, nonviolence & democracy?
What legislation has he/she initiated or sponsored?
What specifically has he/she accomplished?

Candidate’s plans
What new & innovative ideas does the candidate bring to the table?
How will he/she ensure that people’s voices will be invited & honored?
How will he/she integrate social, environmental & economic principles in policy & procedure?

Earth Charter Principles and Current Issues

Respect and Care for the Community of Life -

Connection with Earth
Democratic Societies
Sustainability
Interdependence
Compassion and Respect

Ecological Integrity

Environmental Protection
Conservation & Consumption
Production & Reproduction
Energy
Sustainability
International Cooperation

Social and Economic Justice -

Civil Rights/Equality/Equity
Eradicating Poverty
Economy/Trade
Education
Health Care
Social Security
Global Citizenship

Democracy, Nonviolence and Peace -

Democratic Institutions/Process
Foreign Policy
Tolerance and Cooperation
Nonviolence and Collaboration

Rate the Candidate

Consider these Earth Charter principles as one way to assess what you know about a given candidate for public office. Based on what you’ve observed or read would the candidate work to…	Rate the Candidate 1 – Strong 5 – Weak	Don’t Know
· Protect & restore the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity & the natural processes that sustain life	1---2---3---4----5
· Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection &, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach	1---2---3---4----5
· Adopt patterns of production, consumption, & reproduction that safeguard Earth’s regenerative capacities, human rights, & community well being	1---2---3---4----5
· Advance the study of ecological sustainability & promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired	1---2---3---4----5
· Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social & environmental imperative	1---2---3---4----5
· Ensure that economic activities & institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable & sustainable manner	1---2---3---4----5
· Affirm gender equality & equity as prerequisites to sustainable development & ensure universal access to education, health care, & economic opportunity	1---2---3---4----5
· Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural & social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, & spiritual well being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples & minorities	1---2---3---4----5
· Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels & provide transparency & accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision-making, & access to justice	1---2---3---4----5
· Integrate into formal education & life-long learning the knowledge, values, & skills needed for a sustainable way of life	1---2---3---4----5
· Treat all living beings with respect & consideration	1---2---3---4----5
· Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence & peace	1---2---3---4----5

Voters’ Resources

www.thomas.loc.gov - Legislative information provided by The Library of Congress; roll call votes, status of bills, connection to directory of US Senators and Representatives.

www.congress.org - “A private, non-partisan company that specializes in facilitating civic participation…” Find and contact Congressional representatives; learn about issues and candidates.

www.lwv.org - League of Women Voters; link to "Questions Every Candidate Should Answer to Win the Votes of 18-to-30-year-olds in 2004," and “The ABC’s of Women’s Issues.”

www.dnet.org - DemocracyNet, a project of the League of Women Voters Education Fund; focused on candidates - “an interactive platform designed to improve the quality of voter information and create a more educated and engaged electorate.”

www.publicagenda.org - “A nonpartisan opinion research organization helping Americans explore and understand critical issues.” Includes link to “First Choice 2004 - Know What You Want Before You Choose Who You Want”

“Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.”

- The Way Forward from the Earth Charter

Please acknowledge and express appreciation to all who represent and work for Earth Charter principles.

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