Lorenzburg signs micronational declaration on Ecological Stewardship

Resolution adopted at MicroCon 2017, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America Micronational Declaration on Ecological Stewardship

The global community of micronations, small countries, and aspirant states assembled at MicroCon 2017, Deeply conscious of the threat posed to the health of the world’s ecosystems by causes of human origin, including climate change,

Deeply concerned by the failure of many world leaders to prioritize and adequately address pressing environmental crises,

Disturbed by the denial of the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change by politicians and other influential actors,

Acknowledging the progress made by numerous countries, including micronations, to reduce their negative impact on the planet,

Encouraged by widespread support of international environmental treaties, especially the Paris Agreement, Acknowledging that more dramatic action is required internationally to minimize the negative effects of climate change,

Affirming that micronations are important actors in promoting environmental stewardship on both a local and an international level,

Applauding the Alcatraz Environmental Treaty of 2015 and the steps taken by micronations to implement it by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise investing in sustainability,

Recognizing that much further action is possible on a micronational level to address ecological concerns, Noting the lack of a framework for general best practices for micronations seeking to improve sustainability,

Hopeful that such a framework may help guide micronational environmental policy and facilitate further information-sharing between micronations sharing interests in ecological stewardship,

Recognizing that the rights of animals are an important part of a holistic approach to sustainability, Acknowledging that these rights may be affected by an animal’s intended use as food or when human welfare is threatened,

Further acknowledging the environmental and social importance of water conservation,
Taking note of the 100+ Ways to Conserve Water published by conservation campaign Water – Use It Wisely, Acknowledging the benefits of reducing overall energy consumption in the household,
Further acknowledging the necessity of biological diversity to the health of local ecosystems,

Recognizing the threat that invasive species pose to biological diversity,
Affirming that locally-sourced food and domestic food production are central to increasing the environmental sustainability of food supply chains,

Concerned by the potential of genetically-modified foods to affect local ecosystems or facilitate the unsustainable centralization of food production,

Understanding the need to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels for energy,
Recognizing the variety of renewable energy resources available for micronations to harness to decrease fossil fuel usage,

Acknowledging the importance and practicality of reducing carbon dioxide pollution through clean transportation and the planting of trees and shrubs,

Further acknowledging that watershed health may be promoted by eliminating nonpoint sources of pollution and fighting erosion;

Recognizing that there are many practices by which micronations may reduce waste,

1. Encourages micronations and their denizens to reduce waste through use of strategies such as:
   1. Using digital copies of media whenever possible;
   2. Properly recycling all consumable goods possible, including electrical and electronic goods, paper, toner, ink cartridges, iron, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate, glass, and plastic;
   3. Household composting;
   4. Giving away, instead of discarding, unwanted items;
   5. Repairing broken items;
   6. Avoiding the purchase of single-use and non-essential items;

 

2. Further encourages micronations and their denizens to protect watershed health by:
   1. Minimizing the use of cleaning products and fertilizers containing phosphates;
   2. Properly disposing of animal waste;
   3. Preventing and repairing engine leaks in land vehicles and watercraft;
   4. Reducing erosion by protecting slopes and planting suitable non-invasive trees and shrubs on 
erosive surfaces;

 

3. Urges micronations and their denizens to reduce carbon dioxide pollution by:
   1. Commuting on foot, by bicycle, or with public transportation;
   2. Planting non-invasive species of trees and shrubs suitable for the local environment;
   3. Prioritizing energy-efficient and electric options when purchasing new vehicles;

 

4. Endorses reducing micronations’ dependence on fossil fuels by sourcing electricity from renewable sources, including through domestic generation of electricity with solar panels, windmills, and other means of renewably harnessing energy;

 

5. Promotes micronational investment in local food supply chains by buying locally-grown food, avoiding the purchase of genetically-modified foods, and maintaining household gardens, including micro-gardens and urban gardening schemes where appropriate;

 

6. Encourages micronations and their denizens to protect biological diversity on a local level through the humane eradication of invasive species of plant and animal and the planting of species of plant native to a given ecosystem;

 

7. Advises micronations and their denizens to reduce household energy use by using energy-efficient appliances, including light bulbs;

 

8. Supports micronational water conservation through strategies such as the 100+ Ways to Conserve Water;

 

9. Promotes the ethical treatment of live animals in micronations, recognizing animals’ rights as including, except in the case of animals to be slaughtered for food, or if necessary to prevent harm to humans, other animals, or property:
   1. Rights to life, liberty, reproductive freedom, a natural living environment, natural behavior, and bodily integrity;
   2. The freedom not to be arbitrarily subject to or controlled by fear or pain;

 

10. Strongly encourages all States endorsing this Declaration to participate in international sharing of information on policies, strategies, and practices that build sustainability, and to publicize such information to their denizens to promote ecological stewardship on the individual level;

 

11. Condemns denial of anthropogenic climate change and denounces climate-change denial as an element of national policy;

 

12. Declares that micronational governments and denizens are responsible for ecological stewardship within their territories to the full extent of their capacities;

 

13. Strongly urges all able micronational States to endorse this Declaration.

Signed december 13, 2020
H.S.H. Prince Frei – The Grand Principality of Lorenzburg