1. Considering :
That climate change is a reality and that certain consequences have already occurred...
- the average temperature of the earth increased by 0.6° in the 20th century ;
- the multiplication of natural disasters is tied to climate change and these phenomena are going to accelerate. Certain irreversible impacts could appear more quickly than predicted ;
- by the year 2100, if we do not react, the temperature of the earth will increase by 1.1°C à 6.4°C, that is 2 to 9 times greater than the increase measured in the 20th century ;
- by the year 2100, the level of the oceans will rise as a result by 10 to 90 cm ;
- lands will disappear as a result of the increase in the water level ;
- desertification will grow and the reduction in sources of drinkable water will accelerate ;
- up to 10,000 species disappear each year and at least 20% of all species risk extinction in the course of the next 30 years.
That it has created a global emergency...
In the absence of rapid and significant actions, the impacts on the economy, agriculture, water resources, transport and housing will be such that we will all be affected in our daily lives. These transformations will first affect the weakest amongst us and cause significant migrations of populations as has already occurred in certain zones in the Pacific. Climate change is a world subject which demands collective responses.
That the time for warning is over and that it is now time to take immediate action...
Certain consequences of climate change already seem irreversible. Nevertheless it is imperative to act to limit the magnitude of the phenomena and to prepare ourselves for the devastating effects that could occur in a very short time, if we do nothing.
That women can be the first actors in the fight against climate change...
Because they have a major role in terms of the education of children and the teaching of social interaction. And very often, because of their position as mother, they are more sensitive to the destiny of future generations and concerned about the world we will leave to our children.
Because they often make the purchasing decisions (vehicles, house, clothes, food, etc.)
Because women are also often responsible for the provision of the home with basic necessities (water, firewood, etc.), resources which can very quickly become scarce in numerous regions of the globe.
2. Having become strongly aware of the urgency, we, citizens of the world, who are determined to act concretely, declare that:
Good intentions and rousing speeches are not sufficient...
It is necessary from now on that we prepare, on the one hand to restrain the extent of the impacts of climate change by revising our behaviour to become more responsibile, and on the other hand to face up to the consequences that will unavoidably come to pass in the coming years.
We can give the determining impetus to everyone's mobilisation to finally take appropriate action given the high stakes involved...
Increasingly represented in governance world-wide, women can act as a force of mobilisation and support across the planet to instigate and lead concrete actions.
We want to assume our responsibilities in the face of this major menace...
Active in the private sphere but also in the professional, associative and political spheres, women know that nothing and no one will be saved from the impacts of climate change. They are particularly attentive to the continuity of life and the destiny of future generations.
3. For all these reasons, we, citizens of the world, hereby commit ourselves to:
In our personal sphere to take daily action and to promote behaviour which reflect a responsible attitude concerned with protecting our environment, and notably to:
- choose modes of transport that consume the least fossil fuels,
- reduce the consumption of energy in our houses and buy equipment that is energy-efficient,
- choose as often as possible products which last, which are rechargeable and which consume little energy,
- prefer natural materials and renewable energy,
- avoid risky behaviour (such as isolated living conditions),
- adopt elementary civic gestures: replacing baths by showers, turning off standby lights and household appliances after use, and selectively sorting domestic waste...
In our professional lives, whatever our level of responsibility, as in our community and political lives, to promote, support and develop all actions that enable a rapid and concrete strike against climate change, and notably to:
- promote decisions - at times elementary - that can contribute to the fight against climate change, and to deplore irresponsible behaviour in this domain
- encourage and support innovation and research and development which ensures for tomorrow, in a manner both efficient and ecologically virtuous, the needs of humanity in the provision of water, energy and transport, in industrial development, etc.
- develop the transfer of experience and technologies and the putting in place of strong partnerships between the actors on a global and European scale
- contribute to education campaigns on rescue actions (teaching kits, awareness campaigns, workshops in schools, etc.)
- to be actors for a more united humanity in the context of a changing world which makes us all vulnerable, particularly helping populations which are weakened or diminished on a planetary scale but also on our local scale (neighbourhood, town, country)
4. Thus assuming our part in the effort, we, citizens of the world, ask all the decision-makers, men and women, in public authorities, businesses, associations, research, to:
- use their influence, their resources and their power of decision-making to reduce the emissions and to have them reduced by everyone
- take into account in their decisions the eventual risk of increase of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from these decisions, and to reduce it as far as possible
- pursue those actions until the emissions return to the level recommended by the Group of Intergovernmental Experts on Climate Evolution (GIEC)
I sign this text, committing myself to act each day in accordance with its principles and I ask everyone to make the same commitment.
