Number: 1992-11
WHEREAS, social, economic and environmental pressures continue to increase worldwide; and
WHEREAS, these pressures range from species extinction, deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, wetlands loss, ozone depletion and global climate change, to growing human deprivation brought about by overpopulation, poverty, illiteracy, hunger, homelessness, disease and unsanitary conditions; and
WHEREAS, the concept of sustainable development provides a long-term strategy for addressing these problems by improving human well-being and maintaining the environment upon which life–and economies–depend, both now and in the future; and
WHEREAS, sustainable development implies a preference for respecting the earth’s capacity to regenerate resources and assimilate waste, and equity among and between generations; and
WHEREAS, the corporate world has a great stake in achieving sustainable development and must play a vital and active role in moving toward this ideal; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation’s Corporate Conservation Council has successfully generated great interest in the business community for pursuing sustainable development strategies, largely through a landmark conference, entitled, Building the Sustainable Corporation: Creating Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Advantage; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Conservation Council, as a successful bridge between the traditionally adversarial corporate and environmental communities has a great opportunity and obligation to educate and encourage its membership and other businesses to adopt environmentally-sustainable practices;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, commends the Corporate Council for their progress thus far and encourages them to continue their work to urge corporate leaders to adopt sustainable development policies and practices within their organizations worldwide and the corporate community globally.