At the Caux Forum for Human Security in July 2009, one of four urgent priorities affecting human security for millions was ‘dealing with the global Climate Challenge’. As one outcome, a team of environmental scientists, activists and journalists formed ‘Environmental and Economic Workgroup’, who took up as their vision:

‘We at Initiatives of Change believe that there is enough in the world for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed.  We live by trust rather than insecurity, built upon a foundation of moral and spiritual values and a dedication towards life with dignity for all.  Change begins with the individual and as a diverse global network we work for a healthy and sustainable world.’

At least seven of this ‘workgroup’ are in Copenhagen and aim to coordinate to ‘build trust across the divides between negotiators, adversaries, stakeholders and create an environment where… fresh impulses and strategies for addressing basic human needs can emerge, (supporting) decisions for meaningful climate change mitigation agreements, actions and policies.’

In their vision statement and ‘next steps’ statement drafted from the Caux Forum, the workgroup pledged to:

• recognize and respect our inter-connectedness with all of Creation
• reduce our footprint on the earth by living simply and using resources moderately
• live in our homes and centres according to our needs only, never according to greed
• promote in all our programmes a new and responsive partnership with the environment
• prepare ourselves personally and in our situations to build trust in meeting the full challenge of Global Climate Change.

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