The Spirit of Rio

In a challenge to governments I was part of a UN General Assembly Committee Two Panel to discuss Rio+20. I ended the speech with:

We can learn to live on this planet together equitably taking into consideration not only this generation but future generations – who have a right to a good quality of life.

The Earth Summit 2012 presents a unique platform for negotiating the co-operation needed to achieve a new deal between North and South, between rich and poor, between governments and stakeholders and between present and future generations. This cooperation is critical to the future of all people on the planet. It is a co-operation we must achieve.

Perhaps the time has at last come for governments to adopt the Earth Charter as a value base to guide us.

The future is not a gift: it is an achievement.

In 1992 governments showed considerable leadership in adopting Agenda 21 and the
conventions on biological diversity and climate change.

People are willing to make the right choice. But they need leadership.

They're hungry for leadership. The question I leave with you is can you give that leadership?
A full copy fo the speech can be read at here

Dinner in Toronto with Maurice Strong, Hanne Strong, Barbara Pyle and Frank Melli to film for a Rio+20 documentary.

The latest issue of Global Briefing has an interview with me on Rio+20 and how i became involved in Sustainable Development.

October was a busy month the first half spent visiting Boston and then California. There I had the chance to visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

"Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal. "
John F. Kennedy

Interview in May at the first prepcom for Rio+20 on what the Summit might achieve