the commons of land
We believe that the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand should become the first nation of Earth to become “A Half-Earth Nation” and an example for the other nations of the Planet by setting aside one half of its total land area as Wilderness for Perpetuity. Beyond untouched Wilderness for Perpetuity held in trust and private ownership of land, a "Commons," an area of natural beauty and resources accessible to all community members, must be designated and democratically maintained. This can and must be done to raise healthy individuals aware of and connected to Nature, protect local resources from falling into distant corporate ownership, and avoid congestive sprawl so pervasive in other countries. We must, once again, reconnect our lifestyles to Earth's natural systems and Ecological Laws. The establishment of The Commons for every community would encourage individuals, now mostly alienated from Nature, to experience Her first hand.
the commons of water
We hold that all people and other species of Aotearoa/New Zealand have a right to access and use of clean, fresh water. This water should be free to all. It should never be sold, put under privatization schemes, controlled, or used as a bargaining chip. It should NEVER come under corporate control, foreign ownership, or be used as political/economic leverage against another resource. This right supersedes all business and/or political demands or deals. No entity has the right to pollute the fresh waterways, lakes, or other sources of water in Aotearoa/NewZealand as that water belongs to The Commons as part of the living biosphere.
the commons of air
We believe that all people and other species of Aotearoa/New Zealand have a right to breathe clean air; and that no one and no organization has a right to pollute the air or restrict access to this Commons. Through the acquisition of Wilderness for perpetuity, TCF encourages natural systems to thrive, allowing our atmosphere to replenish itself. These acquisitions also inhibit proliferation of polluting industries that freely use our air as a refuse dump for their "unwanted materials."
the economic commons
The Commons of the small business community of Aotearoa/New Zealand should be encouraged to be an interactive community supported and protected by the population of the nation, striving for diversity, while engendering sustainability and stability, serving the needs of small communities and the nation at large. Economic growth should be realized as being limited both for Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Planet. A rich Steady-State Economy providing for an egalitarian society based on the most human of traits -- the ability to share ideas and work as a team, should be our goal.
THE COMMONS OF IDEAS
The general public is the source of power in a society through democratically held elections, caring for one another, financial teamwork, local stewardship of Nature, and the communication of ideas. The accumulation of vast knowledge through Science, logic, analysis, and technology leading to evidence-based decisions is perhaps the most distinct trait of being human.
the education OF THE commons
An educated, dynamically involved public is essential for a thriving society and is part of the Natural Commons of Aotearoa/New Zealand and should never be neglected. The opportunity for continuing intellectual growth should be the right of every citizen, and our communities are the "ecosystems" to engender and maintain that intellectual growth. Our universities are the great incubators of ideas and should be supported by the public through donations.
THE C'ELAN FOUNDATION
The vehicle for the public to BEGIN the process of re-claiming private land to create and maintain
THE COMMONS
Opening the discussion on
New Economics and Lifestyles that truly fit our place in the Biosphere
The vehicle for the public to BEGIN the process of re-claiming private land to create and maintain
THE COMMONS
Opening the discussion on
New Economics and Lifestyles that truly fit our place in the Biosphere