In celebration of the twenty-fifth birthday of the Earth Charter, a collection of articles were published by Consensus: A Canadian Journal of Public Theology in their forty-seventh volume, issue 1. The issue, titled “Planetary Care and Justice: From Rio to the Hague to Waterloo” features eight articles about the Earth Charter, with three that were presented at the international conference in 2025.
The forward, written by Mary (Joy) Philip, reflects on the impact of The Charter as a call to action and its importance in the curriculum at Martin Luther University College.
The first three articles of the journal were presented at the conference last July. “One Earth Community: Navigating the Challenges of Our Time,” written by Akpezi Ogbuigwe was the keynote address of the conference and is the featured article of this journal. This paper opens with a meditation on the importance of human connection and unity in the fight for climate justice and sustainability.
“The Earth Charter as Green Fire,” is Joy’s impassioned plea to spread the fire of sustainability justice through a daily embodiment of the principles of The Charter. She draws upon her understanding of many religions and their interpretation of the meaning behind fires to invite the reader to breathe their own life into The Charter.
The third article is a reflection on a speech that was first shared at last summer’s conference: “Exploring Opportunities with Global Citizenship Education: Practice, Frameworks, and Curriculum Renewal” by Miguel Heilbron. In this article Miguel reflects on the continued importance of being a global citizen and how the future of climate justice and sustainability requires working together.
Rabbi Bill S. Tepper writes “Communities of Caring: A Jewish Response to the Earth Charter.” Rabbi Tepper connects the principles of The Charter to the teachings of sacred Jewish texts, and the foundational golden rule: “Love your other as you do yourself.” This article pleads with political leaders to be good stewards of the earth for future generations. He concludes by asking what it will take for the warnings of scientists and religious leaders to be taken seriously in policy decisions.
The use of The Charter as the basis of a course taught at Martin Luther University is detailed by M. Beth McCutcheon in “Teaching Global Partnership and Responsibility Using the Earth Charter.” The Earth Charter is used by students for a research project that investigates the application of The Charter’s principles in a specific community. McCutcheon’s course provides opportunities to challenge the student’s worldview, foster deeper awareness and empathy, and to develop critical reflection.
Through inspiration from The Charter, Debbie Lou Ludolph has developed curriculums for two courses which connect sustainability to spirituality, and develops leadership and critical thinking. “Shaping Pedagogy and Praxis: The Earth Charter in the Classroom and Community” shares her reflections on the impact application of The Charter has had on her students, and her interpretation of Earth Charter principles into music and art exhibitions.
A central focus on land and its importance to identity and justice is the cross-section of the principles of The Charter and The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, which requires a curriculum that incorporates Aboriginal contributions to Canada. “Learning in/with the Land: Intersectionality, the Earth Charter, and the TRC Calls to Action in Theological Education” is a pedagogical case study by Héctor A. Acero Ferrer which explores the “ethical failure” of literature that discusses land as merely a metaphor.
Joseph Kirby concludes the articles with a look back at the creation of the earth, in juxtaposition with the proposed future of humanity from billionaires who plan to colonize Mars. In three distinct sections, “The Earth Charter, the Advent and the Divine Right of Elon Musk,” celebrates innovation yet cautions against hubris.
The journal has been published with free and open access through Scholars Commons @ Laurier and can be accessed here: scholars.wlu.ca, Planetary Care and Justice: From Rio to the Hague to Waterloo
