We submit this document as concerned individuals. The basis of our reflections and
objections to hydraulic fracturing and shale gas development come from The Earth Charter:
Values and Principles for a Sustainable Future.
What is the Earth Charter?
“The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building
a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to
inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared
responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater
community of life, and future generations. It is a vision of hope and a call to
action.
The Earth Charter is centrally concerned with the transition to sustainable ways
of living and sustainable human development. Ecological integrity is one major
theme. However, the Earth Charter recognizes that the goals of ecological
protection, the eradication of poverty, equitable economic development, respect
for human rights, democracy, and peace are interdependent and indivisible. It
provides, therefore, a new, inclusive, integrated ethical framework to guide the
transition to a sustainable future.
The Earth Charter is a product of decade-long, worldwide, cross cultural dialogue
on common goals and shared values. The Earth Charter project began as a United
Nations initiative, but it was carried forward and completed by a global civil
society initiative. The Earth Charter was finalized and then launched as a
people’s charter in 2000 by the Earth Charter Commission, an independent
international entity.” 1
Our concerns come out of the 4 main areas of focus:2
1
2
I.
Respect and Care for the Community of Life
 Secure Earth’s bounty and beauty for present and future generations. Prevent harm as
the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a
precautionary approach.
II.
Ecological Integrity
 Adopt patterns of productions, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth’s
regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.
http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/pages/What-is-the-Earth-Charter%3F.html
http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/pages/Read-the-Charter.html
April 15, 2014
1
III.
Social and Economic Justice
 Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human
development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
IV. Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace
 Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and
accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access
to justice
Objections to Hydraulic fracturing and shale gas development:
I. Putting time, money, and people’s energy into studying another method of extracting
fossil fuels at a time when, for the good of the planet and all that is living on it, we need
to reduce our CO2 emissions. Why are we letting the oil industry distract us from the
essential task of finding community based solutions to reduce energy consumption and
create renewable energy sources?
II. One small non-renewal resource, fossil fuel, is being given greater priority than the
essential renewable resource of water which is vital to all life, human, plant and animal.
If life generating and life nurturing abilities are the basis for the flourishing of our
communities, then care of water needs to have priority over extracting fossil fuels.
III. The limited gain achieved from this form of extraction has untold consequences for the
regenerative capacities of Earth that will impact generations to come. If this decision
making process were carried out at the local level, where all members of the community,
human and non-human, shared equally in the assets, with equal awareness of the negative
consequences then there is value in studying the issue. However, the decision making
process is generally removed from those directly impacted. As well, while there may be
some very short term benefits locally, the bulk of any profit to be reaped are far removed
from the local community. Any negative consequences of these activities are left for the
local community to deal with while those who make the profits are not held accountable.
This deprives local people of their human rights and responsibilities to safeguard Earth’s
regenerative capacity and community well being into the future.
The Preamble to the Earth Charter begins with the following sentence, “We stand at a
critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future.” We ask that
we stand together as members of the community of Nova Scotia and choose a future that focuses
on developing renewable energy sources, moving away from fossil fuel extraction. That we
stand together with the long view so that our decisions and actions will not be made for short
term selfish gain at the expense of future generations.
April 15, 2014
2
In the Pastoral Letter on the Christian Ecological Imperative 3 issued in 2004 the
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops state:
“Water is the source of all life, and a primary symbol in religious traditions.
Water cleanses, purifies, refreshes and inspires. The bible speaks of living waters,
of becoming a fountain of living water, of longing for running water, and of
justice flowing as a mighty river. Yet how can anyone speak about the “waters of
life” if these waters can no longer sustain life? As Thomas Berry writes, “if water
is polluted it can neither be drunk nor used for baptism. Both in its physical reality
and its psychic symbolism it is a source not of life but of death.”4
Without water everything dies. Water is the basic element though which all life
forms emerged, exist and flourish. Water is the life-blood of the planet, and
maintains an intricate and delicately balanced circulation system that has evolved
for over four billion years. Water not only serves the common good, but is part of
the common good.”
At this critical moment, we are challenged to make life giving choices that will ensure the
vitality of the human, plant and animal communities. We can use our human capacity for
creativity and ingenuity to discover other ways to meet our energy needs that will do “No Harm”
to Earth. We ask for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and shale gas development.
Sincerely,
Sr. Agnes Beaton, csm
Sr. Wilma Best, csm
Sr. Donna Brady, csm
Judy Burton
Sr. Rosalie Lahey, csm
Sr. Clotilda MacIntyre, csm
Sr. Josephine MacLellan, csm
Sr. Joanne O’Regan, csm
Sr. Marion Sheridan, csm
3
4
http://www.cccb.ca/site/Files/pastoralenvironment.html
Thomas Berry, “Economics as a Religious Issue,” Riverdale Papers X, 1985, p. 4.
April 15, 2014
3