Environment, Democracy, and Peace

[tmcg]

I believe the Nobel Committee recognized the links between the environment, democracy and peace and sought to bring them to worldwide attention with the Peace Prize that I am accepting today. The committee, I believe, is seeking to encourage community efforts to restore the earth at a time when we face the ecological crises of deforestation, desertification, water scarcity and a lack of biological diversity.

Unless we properly manage resources like forests, water, land, minerals and oil, we will not win the fight against poverty. And there will not be peace. Old conflicts will rage on and new resource wars will erupt unless we change the path we are on.

To celebrate this award, and the work it recognizes of those around the world, let me recall the words of Gandhi: My life is my message. Also, plant a tree.

From Trees for Democracy, by Wangari Maathai, the 2004 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, NY Times, 10 Dec 2004.

The Green Belt Movement homepage.

Comments

[cardigirl.livejournal.com]

Hear, hear. It's good to think the link between peace and global prosperity (without further degradation of the environment) is recognized in the award. Thanks for posting this.

[terrymcgarry.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I was impressed and heartened to read about all this.