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We've had to have a complete change of mindset and say that the need to be competitive, the need to enable our customers to be competitive, must now set a limit on our costs and rates... and work back from that. So we simply said, "We've got to do it." Not, "Can we do it? .. We've got to do it!" And when we looked at it, it was clear that despite the difficulties of doing it, it was do-able.
The carrying capacity of our Earth can only sustain present and future generations if it is matched by the caring capacity of its people and its leaders. We must bring our species under control, for our own survival, for that of all life on our precious planet. We now have a unique opportunity to do this. We have a basis for doing it in the decisions you have taken. We have the responsibility to start this road now. Our experience in Rio has been as historic and exhilarating as the road that brought us here. The road from Rio will be long, exciting, challenging. It will open a whole new era of promise and opportunity for our species if we change direction; but only if we start now. Read more: Closing statement to the Rio Summit (14 June 1992) In 1972, at Stockholm, representatives of 113 of the world's nations took the first steps on a new journey of hope for the future of our 'Only One Earth'. In 1982, Rio de Janeiro, representatives of more than 178 nations met to rekindle that hope and give it new substance and impetus. For, despite significant progress made since 1972 in many areas, the hopes ignited at Stockholm remained largely unfulfilled. Read more: Opening statement to the Rio Summit (3 June 1992)
In the final analysis the behaviour and the actions of nations and individuals depends on their motivations. And these, in turm, are a product of their deepest cultural, spiritual, moral and ethical values. Virtually all traditional value systems share a respect for the rights of others and a reverence for all God's creation. Read more: Statement to the Preparatory Committee of the Rio Summit (6 August 1990) The establishment of machinery for the prevention and settlement of environmental disputes and for the allocation for costs and benefits of developmet projects which have important environmental impacts across national boundaries will be needed. The world desperate needs hope; and we must build on this hope. If we fail, we will add to the growing divisions of this planet. Is it realistic to think that we can continue to reap the benefits of exploiting our precious planetary heritage while continuing to permit its accelerating desecration? |