[Translate to French:] The state of the environment in Europe has been constantly deteriorating during the past decades. The environmental crisis has taken a global dimension since it begun to manifest itself to its full extent during the seventies. All natural cycles, those of water, matter and air, are closely related to each other. Never has it been more evident than today that each part is interconnected and that environmental damage, as small as it might be, even in a remote place, will have sooner or later repercussions on the entire ecosystem of Earth, spreading beyond any fictitious national, political or commercial borders. Two clear examples of these interconnections are the climate change produced by the greenhouse effect and the hole in the ozone layer.

The environmental question presents itself moreover with the double problem of rapid consumption of natural resources (water, soil, minerals, forests, etc.) and the accelerated production and accumulation of huge quantities of waste and harmful emissions in the atmosphere, soil and water.

This process has its principal cause and motor in the present neo-liberal economical system. The appropriation and privatisation of goods and resources by a few (and above all by the developed regions of the world such as Europe) at the expense of the majority of the world’s population is reaching a critical limit. This system is marching towards a breakdown and is in a complete contradiction with the thesis of sustainable and durable development. This crisis shows the perverse effects of market economy, based on the growth of production and consumption.

Another element which exacerbates the environmental disaster is the growing technological inbalance: mankind has reached Mars but is not able to replace the combustion engine of our cars. More and more money is being spent on weapons, but we are not able to satisfy the most urgent needs of huge populations. In spite of the enormous technological progress achieved during the last 200 years (since the industrial revolution), our planet is today on the edge of collapse. Technological progress has made our existence more comfortable, has defeated many diseases and has prolonged our life expectancy (though only for a small minority of the world population), but has simultaneously depredated the planet’s resources, destroyed the natural environment and filled our vital spaces with hazardous waste.

In the context of globalisation of the ecological disaster, the European Region must assume an important role: not only through the harmonization of different national regulatory bodies, but also as a priority by launching a new model of development, of production and consumption at an international level. Unfortunately at present the European Union is completely subdued and divided facing the unscrupulous interests of multinational companies and of the United States (see Kyoto Protocol, Cop9, etc.).

In this dramatic context, there are two visions of the environmental crisis which delay or even impede its solution:

• an apocalyptical vision which perceives the present situation as desperate and in fact denies any possibility to modify it.
• a pragmatic vision linked to economic interests, which does not accept any fundamental structural change but only slight adjustments that will nott revert the tendencies.

For us humanists, however, the challenge is to leap forward in the use of technologies in order to improve the conditions of living of all human beings and to safeguard at the same time the resources and a better quality of environment for future generations. We must also involve all European citizens in becoming personally responsible towards the environment by modifying their life style.

For us humanists development is only sustainable and durable if it guarantees the same rights and opportunities of access to resources to all populations of the planet and simultaneously allows these resources to be regenerated.

In order to achieve these goals, at least five operational principles must be observed:

1. The impact of the system of production and consumption on the natural systems must be limited to an extent where it does not exceed their capacity of recharge.
2. Technological progress must aim at increasing the efficiency and reducing the input of energy and raw materials.
3. The exploitation of renewable resources must not exceed their pace of regeneration.
4. Polluting emissions must not exceed the capacity of absorption of the natural systems.
5. Non renewable resources must only be used to an extent where it is possible to compensate their loss through an equal quantity of renewable resources.

The way out of environmental disaster exists but has to be undertaken without wasting any more time and without giving in to interests and economic blackmail by powerful lobbies (such as the multinational Oil and food companies).

To the same extent as governments and private companies, European citizens must become responsible towards their environment. Our personal choices of consumption influence the policies in the economical field and in the protection of environment. Our habits and food consumption must change. It is more and more urgent to educate citizens to develop a coherent attitude towards our natural environment.

To change the world can certainly be a very interesting task which offers new opportunities to use human intelligence and creativity.

Brief proposals by issues:

1. Energy and climatic changes

1.1 Energy savings: programmes to reduce consumptions in all fields, from industry to transportation, from lighting to thermal insulation of buildings.

1.2 Replacement of fossil fuel with renewable energy sources: the progressive elimination of the use of Oil and coal in favour of solar, aeolic, geothermal and hydrogen energy.

1.3 Increase the use of methane gas and “white” gas-oil

1.4 No to nuclear energy since the risks of this technology are too high and waste disposal is dangerous.

1.5 The commitment of Europe to propose a new international treaty on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in order to overcome the stalemate reached after the Kyoto agreements.

2. Transport and space management

2.1 Promotion of public transport by discouraging private transportation.

2.2 Reorganisation of the territory through space planning at all levels, in order to avoid the advancing urbanisation and destruction of rural environment. In urban areas separation of car traffic and pedestrian and cycle tracks.

2.3 Progressive shifting of transportation of goods from road to rail.

2.4 Encouraging local production and consumption of goods in order to limit as much as possible the volume being transported.

3. Industrial production

3.1 To outlaw dangerous substances. Substitution of toxic and perdurable materials with biodegradable ones.

3.2 Legislation imposing energy savings and reduced use of raw materials in industrial processes.

4. Water

4.1 Definition of water as public property which cannot be sold to private companies.

4.2 Programmes for the rehabilitation of rivers, lakes, oceans and ground water.

4.3 Equitable distribution of water to the entire population and elimination of wasting and dispersions in the waterworks.

5. Waste

5.1 Reduction of the overall waste production through specific laws and ecological brands for products. Drastic reduction of the weight and dimensions of packaging and encouragement of biodegradable packaging.

5.2 Significant increase of differentiated garbage collection and recycling, by rewarding those campanies and citizens who reduce their garbage output.

5.3 Compounding of organic waste.

5.4 Using of waste for purposes of heating in incinerators.

6. Agriculture and food

6.1 Elimination of intensive monocultures and development of organic agriculture which respects natural cycles and soil fertility. Policies in order to encourage environmentally friendly food production through public subsidies.

6.2 Application of the principle: “the one who pollutes, pays” also in the agricultural field. Taxing of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers.

6.3 Severe restriction of the use of biotechnologies (OGM) which must be subordinated to state control. Laws which prohibit the extension of patents to living organisms such as plants and animals.

6.4 Massive reintroduction of trees and perennial plants in order to reduce soil erosion, capture carbon monoxide, withhold water and protect agriculture from climatic instabilities.

6.5 Creation of an international system of organic brands which help consumers distinguish ecological products. Encouragement of the consumption of local products.

7. Biodiversity, protected areas

7.1 Extension of protected areas and creation of biological corridors which permit the migration of species.

7.2 Ample program of safeguard of biodiversity in order to protect the species threatened by extinction.

7.3 Abolition of hunting and creation of public guards responsible for the preservation and control of wildlife.

8. The need for nature

8.1 Declaration of the right to a natural and unpolluted environment as a fundamental “human right”.

8.2 Definition of widespread public areas for recreation, accessible to all, not to be privately owned (such as beaches, riversides, mountain areas, etc.).

8.3 Education at all school levels to develop a sustainable and responsible personal behaviour towards environment.