Pledge

This We Know

We, the people of Maryland, are grateful for the life of the earth. 
Our earthly home, in Maryland, is an intricate network that supports our human life:
the energy from our Sun, the waters from the heavens,
the plants from the soil, and the breath from the forests and the seas.

We, as all people before us, have made changes – large and small – to the land and our waters. 
And those changes have consequences. Some are beneficial, bringing forth new life.
Others are damaging, harming the very well-being of the very earth we depend on, 
and, in the worst cases, making those least responsible for earth’s degradation 
suffer the most dire consequences.

This We Believe

Humanity is blessed with the capacity to create a vibrant future.
We can use our wisdom, technology, creativity, and kindness to fashion a future 
that gives to all people of Maryland: 
Clean water in streams, rivers, lakes, bays and oceans filled with life, 
Healthy soil that supports plants of all kinds, 
Healthful air to fill lungs of every being, and 
A stable climate for all people. 

This We Pledge

So, we honor our interdependence with the land, air, water, and people, present and future. 
We know that we have no separate fortunes. We have only one common destiny. 
We therefore pledge in Maryland to:

Care for each other and our natural environment, 

Work to correct environmental health disparities,

Respect the fundamental right of all humans to live in a healthful environment, and

Advocate for laws that protect this right. 

We acknowledge the inspiration from John Ciekot whose wisdom informed this pledge.