The discussions at the Summit were intended to raise local awareness of a document known as "The Earth Charter: A Declaration of Interdependence." The Earth Charter, described as a "shared vision of basic values," proposes four universal human values: respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, social and economic justice and democracy, nonviolence and peace. The declaration is the result of 12 years of international discussions that continue to this day. The Earth Charter is notable for its strong emphasis on ecological "sustainability," a Hampshire College watchword. Events throughout the day addressed the challenges of creating a sustainable environment.
The keynote speaker, Ernesto Santamaria, described in the event schedule as "pro-peace, pro-ecology, pro-people and eco-humanistic," spoke on permaculture, a system of agriculture emphasizing renewable resources. He also mentioned his role as the executive director of the Latin American Institute for Ecological and Sustainable Development (ILDES), a local organization that coordinates numerous philanthropic groups working to improve social and environmental conditions in Latin America. ILDES is currently in the process of sponsoring development of a small community in Argentina, which will be governed according to the principles of the Earth Charter.
Among the other lecturers was David Yarrow, whose talk was titled "Sustainable Farming & Food Supply: How We Can Feed New England in the 21st Century." He advocated the creation of "Locally Integrated Food Economies" (LIFE) in which New England would rely solely on its own farming infrastructure for food and water. By reducing the need to transport food, Yarrow pointed out, LIFE would cut down on fossil fuel emission as well as encouraging healthier natural diets. Mike Bruss of Bruss Construction, Inc., also brought a practical perspective on construction and design for sustainable systems. Later in the day, Ricardo Conde told students about the revolutionary Stirling engine being developed by ReGen Power Systems, Ltd. Designed to reduce pollution by converting industrial plant emissions into electricity, the engine would be both cost-effective and environmentally sound.
Although the Earth Charter Summit is over, its sponsors now hope to put its principles into action. For anyone interested in taking action or learning more, a copy of the Earth Charter is available online in 32 languages at earthcharter.org. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calls it "one of the most powerful instruments" at our disposal for preserving and improving the global environment.