Released May 20, 2004
The Wisdom Fund, P. O. Box 2723, Arlington, VA 22202
Website: http://www.twf.org -- Press Contact: John McConnell

From the Founder of International Earth Day

by John McConnell

I deeply appreciate your invitation to suggest what Muslims should to to further the objectives of International Earth Day and its Earth Trustee Agenda. While my efforts have had some support from people of all leading religions, we have failed to get the action that is needed for a global turn toward peace. Your efforts at The Wisdom Fund can help turn the tide.

EARTH -- OUR NEST IN THE STARS

Today, the astronauts and cosmonauts have provided a global view of our planet. "We set out to explore Space - and discovered Earth!"

We are now aware that one fragile planet is our home, the home of one human family. Now we have a chance to see in our diversity a unity which will enable us to fairly adjust our differences with new solutions -- unseen in the past.

In all decisions we must now consider how they affect people and planet -- locally and globally. Seeing the whole picture will help us make the right choices. Earth is our inheritance -- and our responsibility.

Part of the problem is faulty economic policies and institutions. A basic mistake in history is the development and establishment of unfair, inefficient systems of money and credit. We have a planet with assets in the trillions of dollars -- much of it in developing countries. Once we see that money is not wealth -- wealth is land, raw materials, technology, factories, people with skills, etc. -- we might provide policies that are fair and stimulate cooperation. Today, money manipulators make more money that producers and workers.

By a change in monetary policies to fair, free credit -- based on adequate assets, and by making money an honest medium of exchange backed by assets and available in the measure needed for stable exchange of goods and services, we could soon bring prosperity to our whole planet.

To take advantage of the amazing new technology that covers the Globe, a vital necessity is to tap the spiritual and emotional resources of our religious faith ... in ways that will not compromise our separate creeds and beliefs.

Love of God, love of people, love of Earth, honesty, fairness and truth are to be found in every major religion. I may totally reject the creeds of other religions where they relate to a future life and at the same time approve their actions that heal and help people and planet. A deeply held shared goal aids communication and promotes more openness to each others point of view -- often resulting in a basic unity that helps resolve many differences, with accommodation or separation where needed. True love of God will result in love of neighbor and nature.

Once the primary universal goal of peace, justice and the care of Earth is established and affirmed by leaders and world public opinion, controversy will more constructively sort out differences and find areas of agreement.

This will increase understanding and bring better definitions of issues -- how they relate, provide direction, or help achieve global goals. Then, with the aid of an enlightened, responsible mass media, world public opinion, a powerful force, will promote good will, peace, justice and Earth's rejuvenation. We will all think and act as Earth Trustees -- and make the annual Earth Day on the March Equinox the Great Day of Earth!

Now is the time to mobilize our faith and our institutions in an Earth Trustee Campaign for Earth. Now is the time, especially, for a new sense of purpose and responsibility by public media. Let them sponsor a Media Blitz for Earth's rejuvenation, with features and headlines for the many solutions that are working and need attention. Call attention to places where Earth Trustee words are being followed by Earth Trustee actions.

EARTH MINUTES

To aid inner commitment we are urging all radio and TV stations worldwide to program daily Earth Minutes at 0300, 1100, and 1900 GMT (Convert to local time in each time zone). These minutes without words will have locally produced music, views of Earth from Space, nature, children.

When you hear Earth Minute announced you can link your thought, your prayer, with others all over the world. This can help change the global state of mind -- from fear to faith.

At other times during the day, there can be reports and features about Earth care solutions, planned or in progress. This can provide a new sense of Earth Trustee identity that will tap the best of our personal religious convictions, diminish fear, hate, greed and lust and assure an era of peaceful progress.

We ask radio, TV stations and newspapers to start an Earth Trustee Media Blitz. We have the raw materials, the technology, instant global communications -- and there are people ready and willing around the world.

All that is needed is to get their attention. The picture here presented can then bring the needed Earth Trustee choices in words and actions -- and peaceful progress will prevail.

Ghandi said, "Pluralistic nationalism excludes the establishment of any State based solely or mainly on one religion." Jerusalem, holy to Christian, Muslim and Jew, should be ruled by peaceloving leaders from all three religions.

What a great thing it would be to see Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in Jerusalem thinking and acting as Earth Trustees. By focus on our common humanity and the right of everyone to an Earth Claim, they could provide homesteads for homeless constituents. Their actions would result in friendly communities throughout the Mid-East. Soon the whole world would see the Earth Trustee solution and we would be on our way to a Global Peaceful Future.

I encourage visitors to The Wisdom Fund to register as an Earth Trustee by endorsing and agreeing to promote Earth Trustee principles and actions.

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[ . . . first proposed by John McConnell in early October 1969 to Peter Tamaras, who headed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Tamaras requested John McConnell to write an EARTH DAY PROCLAMATION. John McConnell wrote a Proclamation and presented it to the Mayor of San Francisco, Joseph L. Alioto. On March 1, 1970, Mayor Alioto issued that Proclamation as the Earth Day Proclamation for San Francisco.

In 1970 the celebration in California included the raising of the Earth Flag in Golden Gate Park. The Park provided seedlings, which were delivered by the Red Cross to schools in the San Francisco area. The Sierra Club, Jr. Chamber of Commerce, colleges, and grade schools participated with special programs and celebration.

Fortuitously, in November 1969, John McConnell had the opportunity to present the concept of EARTH DAY at UNESCO'S NATIONAL CONFERENCE: MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT. It was well received. At a later date UNESCO became a major sponsor of the annual EARTHDAY CELEBRATIONS at the United Nations.

The date and the place for the celebration of the first EARTH DAY is notable because the Vernal Equinox occurs on March 21st.--Lee Lawrence and John McConnell, "EARTH DAY: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE," wowzone.com]

Senator Gaylord Nelson, "How the First Earth Day Came About," Founder of Earth Day