Many of us have heard about Agenda 21 or have seen references to it in the newspaper, and even heard it discussed in our city council meeting. There are plenty of myths about what it is and what it is not. Those who oppose it are attacked as "conspiracy" theorists. I'd like to provide a little information about what it is, how it is being implemented and why I consider it to be a threat to our private property rights and our freedoms as well as our national sovereignty.
According to the United Nations website, it is "a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment." It was introduced at the UN Conference on Environment & Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 and is commonly known as the "Earth Summit." It contains 40 chapters and more than 350 pages of recommendations to reorganize the global society around the principles of environmental protection, social equity and what is called "sustainable" development. The underlying principle of sustainable development is the assumption that government must manage society to ensure that human activity conforms to its principles.
It is a document that uses the environment as a tool to achieve the UN's ultimate goal of global governance.
Its principles are diametrically opposed to the American concept that the just power of government is derived from the consent of the
people. It promotes the concept that government is inherently empowered to manage the affairs of society and governing private property rights. This is evidenced throughout America today by local governments dictating how private property owners may or may not use their land. Private property that was once considered a sacred right is now being managed locally by government policies like zoning codes, Vision 2040, sustainable develop programs, eco-friendly initiatives, and imposition of Smart Growth Codes.
Sustainable development calls for changing the very infrastructure of the nation, away from private ownership and control of property through central planning of the entire economy. It is a form of wealth redistribution. Social justice is a major premise of sustainable development and is the process by which America is being reorganized around a central principle of state collectivism using the environment as the "driver." Its three major tenets are social equity, environment prosperity, and ecological integrity.
An underlying philosophy of Agenda 21 is that "land cannot be treated as an ordinary asset, controlled by the individuals and subject to the pressures and inefficiencies of the market. Private land ownership is also a principal instrument of accumulation and concentration of wealth, therefore, contributes to social injustice." The opposite of social injustice is social equity which is based on the principle that individuals must give up selfish wants for the needs of the "community" good. How does this differ from socialism or communism?
Locally, the city of Las Cruces has implemented land-use provisions of Agenda 21 through their membership in, and adoption of the policies of the UN's International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). According to the ICLEI webpage, its objective is to implement the provisions of Agenda 21, the UN Framework for Climate Change, and the Habitat Agenda. I believe that these objectives are in serious conflict with the democratic principles and values of the majority of American society, our sovereignty and our free-enterprise economic system.
You don't have to accept my views but you do need to be able to counter them with intelligent discussion based on your reading and understanding Agenda 21. As Freeman Dyson said, "to handle the problem intelligently, we need to understand all the causes and all the consequences".
Rather than resorting to the name calling I would suggest everyone attempt to become intellectually honest when challenging other people's assertions and at least read the basic document before attacking their viewpoints. We will all be able to make better decisions.
Jim Harbison is a retired infantry officer, combat veteran and recipient of both Silver and Bronze stars for valor. He is a member of various Masonic organizations, Veterans Advisory Board and both state and county Republican Party Central Committees.
