Pledge for a Better Planet

We know that every generation has an equal right to the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, all plants and animals and the ecosystems in which they live.

We know that each generation has the responsibility to use the world’s species and ecosystems so as to permit equal use by future generations.

We were born into a time when the use of the Earth’s resources by the older generation threatens the the security of all life. This excessive use plunders our future and that of our children. It threatens our happiness, livelihood, property, the basis of our life and liberty.

This excessive use of the world’s species and ecosystems must end for our sake and the sake of all future generations.

We call on our elders and demand change.

In 2002, one hundred and eighty-eight countries promised to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. But nothing changed. The loss continues unabated. Now one hundred and ninety-three countries have promised in Nagoya to halt the loss by 2020. These promises too will be ignored unless governments are held accountable.

We demand that world leaders sign a binding commitment with us directly—a contract with the youth of the world.

In this contract, we demand a commitment to meet - by 2020 - the key targets agreed in Nagoya, particularly:

1. To reduce or stop the loss of biodiversity.
2. To stop the extinction of species.
3. To reduce pollution to safe levels.
4. To restore and safeguard ecosystems and the services they provide.
5. To manage and harvest fish and shellfish sustainably without damaging the marine environment and ecosystems.
6. To ensure that terrestrial and inland waters and coastal and marine areas are sufficiently protected and are managed effectively and sustainably.
7. To conserve and restore nature and living organisms so that they can withstand and help to combat climate change and desertification.

We demand that these commitments be met so that we are guaranteed our natural right to enjoy a healthy living planet. We demand that the contract between the world’s governments and ourselves to this effect be enforceable in international law.

There is no more time to delay while the fabric of life is torn and scraped away. We demand action now, and pledge our time, our energy and our passion to making it happen.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.