Call for a 2nd International Environmental Counsel
Stop the destruction of our basics of life!
An international front of resistance to protect the natural environment is necessary!
To all concerned about our environment and our future!
Today the existential threat of human and all higher life on earth is increasing sharply: the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, piling up nuclear waste and overheating the earth’s atmosphere are in the focus. Various factors of environmental destruction have already caused the death of huge numbers of species. Comprehensive measures for protection, shutdown of all nuclear power plants worldwide and broad extension of renewable energies to 100 percent are immediately necessary and also technically feasible.
The leading international monopolies, however, are remaining devoted to nuclear and fossil energy sources to keep their profit and power. Nuclear power plants also remain the key for nuclear weapons. Green-disguised technologies like “bio-fuel” or “CO2 underground storage” are further destroying the environment and serving the corporations to gain extra profits. Especially European corporations play the “environmental angel” while in reality it is the dominance of their environmental technology on the world market which concerns them. Corporations and unfortunately some obsequious high-level trade unionists are still playing off the creation and maintenance of jobs against environmental protection. However, it is actually the industrial workforce that has ideas and the know-how to develop and implement new technologies of closed-loop economy, e.g. hydrogen-fueled or electric cars. A modern life in dignity and in accord with nature is necessary and possible. We will not tolerate the withholding of alternative technologies, knowledge and experiences which are there ready for use.
A growing environmental consciousness can be observed worldwide. Many organizations and citizens’ initiatives are active against radioactive, chemical, biological and electromagnetic threats. Currently the resistance against nuclear power has developed enormously, especially with participation of young people, and has adopted many different forms. The government in Germany has been forced to make concessions which were inconceivable just a few months ago. Still, the government's “exit” is not more than a poor sort of compromise: Nuclear power plants should not be operated for another 10 years! They have to be shut down immediately – worldwide.
In order to lend weight to the activities it is necessary to build up a strong alliance and resistance encompassing many countries in which environmental movements cooperate on a par with other social and workers’ movements. The international environmental movement is however lacking the close alliance and corresponding organizational forms to enable this. A good start was made at the “World’s People Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth” where different movements and environmental organizations met in Cochabamba, Bolivia, in April 2010 with 35,000 participants. We want to follow up on this. The International Environmental Counsel serves as a platform to share experiences and to coordinate the environmental movement. Every organization and individual who wants to support the cause of an environment worth living in can and should participate. The International Environmental Counsel is above party lines, independent and self-financing..
More than 400 people took part in the 1st Environmental Counsel in Germany in 2009 – they came from various initiatives, mostly local and regional. There were 25 forums and workshops and also an overwhelming agreement for a wide-reaching discussion on building an international umbrella organization. The 2nd International Environmental Counsel will be continuing this process. It will take place in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 8/9 October 2011. All decisions (e.g. concerning the program or prices) are passed democratically at public preparatory meetings. For dates and information look at
We have to follow the order of the day and act in the interest of future generations. Now! Get active in the preparation of the 2nd International Environmental Counsel!
We call on all those involved in environment and climate protection to offer their contributions: on the anti-nuclear movement, for the implementation of closed-loop economy and the addressing of pollution by toxic substances and electro-smog, for environmental activities in factories, on the youth, for forms of resistance, international reports and perspectives of the environmental movement.
Please register your forums/workshops by 31 August 2011 to
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