The ELCA logo is shaped like 4 quadrants of a globe, with each quadrant representing a season of the liturgical calendar (scarlet, blue, gold and green).
Lutherans Restoring Creation logo
Earth Charter Endorser logo

embracing
the earth charter

~ Connecting PEOPLE and RESOURCES

Would you like to go directly to RESOURCES?

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or would you like to watch something inspirational?

"Earthrise" by Amanda Gorman

text of Amanda Gorman's poem, "Earthrise"
Embrace

or a very short introductory video. . .

"Earth Charter: Turning conscience into action . . . "

1:20 minute intro video of the Earth Charter. . .

Earth Charter basics . . .

The Earth Charter

Crafted by visionaries over twenty years ago, the Earth Charter is a document with four pillars, containing sixteen principles, that turn conscience into action. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations.

It is a vision of hope and a call to action.

4 Pillars

Cute image of girls with caterpillarTwo images of three children trying to watch a sporting event while standing in front of a tall fence: one showing Equality & the other showing Equitymulti-colored peace sign

1.
Interdependence among all People, Animals and Plants

2.
Ecological Integrity

3.
Social and Economic Justice

4.
Democracy, Nonviolence and Peace

A whimsical image of the earth with flowers, butterflies, rainbow & other  nature surrounding it

Click here for a complete chart of Principles and Objectives

The Earth Charter (preamble, 1st paragraph)

We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise.  To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny.  
We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace.

Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.

4-minute "wake-up call" from Steven C. Rockefeller, co-founder of the Earth Charter . . .

and now some Lutheran context . . .

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Earth Charter (1988-2019)

30+ Years of History
The ELCA's multi-faceted approach of being God's hands in the world, aligns well with the Earth Charter's sixteen principles.
Stacked ELCA logo

ELCA endorsed the Earth Charter (2019)

Earth Charter Endorser logoThe ELCA logo is shaped like 4 quadrants of a globe, with each quadrant representing a season of the liturgical calendar (scarlet, blue, gold and green).   Lutherans Restoring Creation logo

Read the ELCA endorsement from the 4th of October 2019. Congregations are embracing the Earth Charter in ways that best fit their community.

The Earth Charter compels us to harmonize diversity with unity, the exercise of freedom with the common good, and short-term objectives with long-term goals.

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Urgent: We've got more to do!
The ELCA understands this is requires "all hands on deck." The ELCA is encouraging synods and congregations throughout the country to implement the Earth Charter in their community, in ways they see fit. World events offer witness to the damage we in the west are doing, especially relating to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, to communities thousands of miles away.
Stacked ELCA logo

You and the Earth Charter

when you see the wisdom of the Earth Charter . . .
you're ready to

choose your next step . . .

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