The Platform for Survival

Toronto, Canada, 31 May 2018

The human population faces significant risks from at least six current sources: wars and weapons (especially nuclear); global warming; famine; pandemics, massive radiation exposure, and cyberattacks. They are so inter-dependent that none of them can be solved without addressing one or more of the others, yet there are known ways of reducing all these risks. Therefore, we demand that our public institutions adopt all of the following policies to protect humanity.

War and Weapons — Especially Nuclear

1. All states owning or hosting nuclear weapons shall immediately de-alert them and commit to no-first-use.

2. All states, including those in NATO, shall sign, ratify, and within 10 years comply with the TPNW.

3. All states shall reduce their militaries and not plan war for “national security.”

4. All states shall develop a UN Emergency Peace Service to protect civilians and respond to crises.

5. All states shall ratify and fully implement the Arms Trade Treaty.

6. UN Convention on CCW and all states shall prohibit developing or deploying lethal autonomous weapons.

Global Warming

7. All states shall swiftly adopt maximally stringent efficiency standards for cars, trucks, ships, and aircraft.

8. The International Code Council shall adopt stringent performance-based building codes.

9. All states shall adopt norms and procedures for the production, recovery, and recycling of materials.

10. All states shall accelerate R&D of HVDC electric grids, energy storage, and Demand System Management.

11. All states shall incorporate environmental considerations in developing national dietary food guides.

12. All states shall negotiate to preserve and protect forests and enhance carbon sinks.

Famine

13. All states shall accelerate SDG efforts to end poverty and enable all to obtain food and potable water.

14. All states shall support improvements of soil health for resilient food production and carbon sequestration.

Pandemics

15. WHO shall promote nations’ use of Incident Management System6 for early detection and response to pandemics.

16. UN shall adopt a ‘one health approach’ integrating veterinary and environmental science to mitigate pandemics.

Radiation Exposure

17. To reduce radiation exposure all states shall shift immediately to efficient electricity from renewable energy*.

18. All states shall prioritize the long-term control and safe storage of radioactive wastes, with public review.

Cyber Attacks

19. The UN shall declare cyberspace a peaceful commons and create a binding treaty for international cyber norms.

20. Manufacturers of ICT hardware and software shall be liable for negligent security failures that cause harm.

Enabling Measures

21. Financial organizations shall support a just transition to a low carbon future, the SDGs, and peace.

22. Civil society alliances shall bring justice priorities to the agendas of major global organizations.

23. Sub-national governments shall exercise leadership in global processes, networks, and institutions.

24. Investors and regulators shall compel business to meet stringent human rights and climate standards.

25. Social movements and states shall prioritize Sustainable Common Security to address shared global challenges.

The Platform for Survival is discussed more fully on the following web site: https://tosavetheworld.ca