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REFRAIN from activities that are harmful to nature

For example:

  • Refrain from directly damaging the land, ocean and wildlife around you (e.g. avoid filling in ponds, damaging coral reefs or needlessly cutting down native vegetation)

  • Refrain from using harmful chemicals that damage nature (e.g. avoid unnecessary use of pesticides and chemical cleaning products with harmful compounds)

  • Refrain from buying products that are damaging to nature (e.g. avoid eating beef; avoid unsustainable seafood; avoid single-use plastics; avoid fast fashion)

REDUCE harmful activities that you can’t avoid

For example:

  • Reduce plastic pollution by decreasing your use of plastic packaging, reusing bag and cups, and disposing of all waste responsibly

  • When harvesting plants or fruits, always leave enough for them to regrow

  • Reduce the impact of your diet by switching to a low-meat diet

  • Reduce your food waste by planning meals and storing food carefully

  • Reduce the impact of any clothing items to buy, by purchasing second hand or sustainable fabrics, and purchasing good quality items that last longer

  • Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on flights and car journeys

RESTORE nature where it has been harmed

For example:

  • Restore your local lands and waterways by participating in litter clean-up events

  • Restore vegetation by planting native trees and wildflowers, on your own land or by joining a volunteer group

  • Restore wildlife by installing nest-boxes and feeding stations for birds and bats

RENEW nature by transforming your own and other people’s relationship with nature

For example:

  • Renew nature by participating in local, national and global conservation efforts however you can (e.g. volunteering your time or giving donations)

  • Renew your own and others’ relationships with nature, by enjoying time in nature with your friends and family, and talking with them about nature and what we can all do to help it

  • Renew nature by voting for politicians who are committed to caring for nature and by campaigning for policy change

  • Renew nature through bringing environmental sustainability into your workplace, school and wider community

  • Renew nature through building or joining a wider movement for change and inspiring and supporting others to make a change

Watch the following video to see how you can make a difference

Credits to: Sophus zu Ermgassen

FAQ

What is Pledge for our Future?

http://www.pledgeforourfuture.earth is a global platform for people around the world who want to reset our relationship with our planet and radically and urgently change the way we live. It enables those people to raise their voices, make specific pledges to live more sustainable lives, hold themselves to account, and encourage others to join them.

Why do we need to change the way we live?

Because In light of COVID-19, climate change, huge biodiversity loss and other environmental crises, it is clear that we can and must change our relationship with our world. Our choice now is to continue with unsustainable production and consumption, putting ourselves at further risk, or to fundamentally reset our relationship with nature. We must act now.

How does it work?

http://www.pledgeforourfuture.earth takes people through a three-stage journey: first, to hear other people’s stories and to read and sign the pledge; second; if people choose, to make personal commitments both to individual actions and to influencing others; and third, to report back on successes, and failures, and share experiences.
The website is available in many languages and we encourage people to write in the language they feel most comfortable with.

What difference do you think #PledgeForOurFuture will make?

http://www.pledgeforourfuture.earth is a platform to inspire individual action and to contribute to a global movement that can inspire policy change. The great environmental challenges of our age – biodiversity and habitat loss, climate change and ocean pollution, and new zoonotic diseases – can seem overwhelming. So many people around the world want to work towards the global green transition, but often don’t know what to do. We can all make a difference, through our own commitments, by our personal actions, and by drawing the attention of influencers and policymakers to the inspirational stories of the many, many people who want to make changes for a better future.

What can people do?

Wherever we live and however we make our living, we can all do something to bring about a positive change in our relationship with our planet.

  • REFRAIN: Where possible, avoid activities that are harmful to nature.
  • REDUCE: If harmful activities can’t be avoided completely, reduce them as much as possible
  • RESTORE: Help to restore nature where it has been harmed
  • RENEW: Help nature to thrive, by working to renew your, and other people’s, relationship with nature, however and wherever you can

Who is supporting #PledgeForOurFuture?

One of the key principles of #PledgeForOurFuture is that everyone who signs up is equally important. But some people who have signed whom you may have heard of include…
And some organisations that have kindly expressed their support include…

What are the principles behind #PledgeForOurFuture?

  • We are global – the pledge will be available in as many languages as possible and be relevant to people around the world, whatever their circumstances.
  • We value everyone’s signature and commitment – ‘big names’ are very welcome, but everyone is equally important
  • We hold ourselves and others accountable – we follow-up!

I have signed #PledgeForOurFuture but I want to do more. How can I do this?

We very much welcome any additional support. If you are keen to help out, one thing that you can do is to make a short (1 min) video about why and what you pledged, and send it to Munib Khanyari. That will help us in further promoting the pledge. Or if you speak a language which our website does not yet cover and you are able to help translate, get in touch with Mirjam Hazenbosch. If you have an additional idea of how you can support #PledgeForOurFuture do let us know as we are very keen to hear it!

Who set up #PledgeForOurFuture?

This idea was conceived by Professor E.J. Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Oxford, and implemented by an international team of conservation academics and professionals. Some of the people most heavily involved in bringing this initiative to life are: Hollie Booth, Ravi Chellam, Dhruv Gangadharan, Mirjam Hazenbosch, Munib Khanyari, Varnita Mathur, Helen Newing, Carlyn Samuel, Claudio Sillero, Jon Taylor, Pradeep Thoma.

The logo was designed by Manini Bansal.

But this story is not about the people who set up this platform, it is about the many thousands of people who raise their voices from it.