A coalition of associations are working on environmental issues in
Taipei city and Taipei County, issues that share a common thread: resistance against blind development for short-term political and business gains at the expense of quality of human and other life. Inspired by the somewhat more philosophical Declaration of the Founding Purposes of the Taiwan Institute of Ecology, what follows is an attempt to get the environmental groups working from the "same page" so as to reduce the risk of our unity being undermined.
We hope that all individuals and organizations (including business and
government if they are willing to review their practices) will sign on,
and that their position papers, petitions, and legal pleadings will
reflect principles of respect for all of Nature’s creations.
The four issues are:
- Construction of Beitou Cable Car Tourist Attraction.
- Destruction of Leseng Sanitorium for further construction work on the underground rail network.
- Conversion of Song Shan Tobacco Factory into a baseball stadium.
- Roadside tree killings and all destruction of bird/insect/human habitat.
Participating Groups to date:
- Peitou Association
- Youth Leseng League
- ROC Natural Paths Association
- Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association
The Manifesto
Whereas the Earth is a living organism comprised of infinite animate and inanimate species, all connected, all interdependent.
Whereas the Earth has evolved for over 4.5 billion years, each moment of which is different than every other moment.
Whereas the composition of the Earth at any moment is of a complexity, structure and viability that is beyond the understanding or control of any individual or any species.
Whereas humans are one species among millions, and like all other species, humans are subject to the will of the creator, are not favored, and have a role that is known only to the creator.
Whereas every species can only speculate what activities are consistent with the will of the creator, for those species whose activities that are able to affect the survival of others, the propriety of any action shall be judged by its effect of the well being of the Earth.
Therefore, in order to facilitate the continuation of the creator’s works we call upon all governments, individuals and organizations to resist any and all activities that lessen or threaten the existence of any other species.
Specifically we call on the Taipei City Government to adhere to the principles set out above and immediately cease all activities that destroy or threaten to destroy the survival of species, whether through direct destruction of such species, or by the destruction of elements essential to the continuation of the habitat of such species.
We have found that certain members of the Taipei City Government, organizations and individuals are engaged in projects that violate the activities the principles stated above and we therefore call upon all such members to do everything in their power to stop the destruction of species and habitats and to turn their energies and attention to the preservation and restoration of species and habitat.