International Joint Commission

The SAB would, therefore, recommend that:
the IJC continue to develop the reporting strategy for the state of the Great Lakes in the
context of a basin ecosystem framework, as envisaged by the Agreement.
2.3 Creating a Code of Considerable interest in creating a code of ethicsto guide human functioning in the Great Lakes
Ethics for the Great
Lakes Basin Ecosystem
Basin Ecosystem has surfaced over the past ten years (Schaefer 1989). Scholars, Native
American tribes, religious and secular organizations,governmentsatvarious levels, industries
and foundations in the region have endeavored during this time to conceptualize their valuing
of the natural environment and to identify the kind of behavior needed to assure its
conservation for multiple, beneficent uses. These diverse efforts were identified in a report
published in 1989 on behalf of the Science Advisory Board of the International Joint
Commission, and a rationale was proffered for the Commission to take the initiative in
developing an ethicscodespecificallyforthe ecosystem (Schaefer 1989). The responsestothis
report indicate that a project of this type is needed to facilitate the “ecosystem approach,”
adopted by the United States and Canada in the Water Quality Agreement of 1978 and affirmed
in subsequent amendmentsfor dealing with the myriad problems in the basin. Young persons
should play a leading role in the development of a code of ecosystem ethics.
Subsequent endeavors by various organizations and governments make it clear that the
creation of an ethics code is an emerging issue of importance to the Commission. Prominent
among recent efforts is the seminal work by the Rawson Academy of Aquatic Science in
formulating “The Ecosystem Charter” for the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence basin (Rawson 1989),
the Province of Ontario‘s commitment to codify an environmental Bill of Rights, the ”Earth
Covenant: ACitizens’Treatyfor Common Ecological Security,” brought about by diverse multinational
grassroots organizations (Global Education Associates 1989) and the ”Ecumenical
Theological Affirmation on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation,” (World Council of
Churches 1989/90).
These recent efforts add to the impressive array of initiatives already taken by the United
Nations in its “World Charter for Nature,” the AuSable Institute‘s ”Christian Land Ethic,” the
Akwesasne ”World Constitution,” and manyotherswhich areatvariousstagesofformalization
(Schaefer 1989). Whether identified as charters, Bills of Rights, covenants or ethics codes, all
of these efforts are aimed at articulating an understanding of the way human beings ought to
function within the natural environment of which they are integral parts. The use of the term
”ethics” has the advantage of identifying both individual and group actions from the
perspective of what is right and, therefore, places these actions within the context of morality,
where human thinking and behavior can be significantly affected.
At the present time, there is widespread interest within governments and various sectors
of societytoframeethical standardswhich would guidecollective and individual conduct. This
interest and the aforementioned endeavors to develop charters, Bills of Rights and covenants
pertaining to the environment has the potential to contribute to the creation of an ethics code
for the ecosystem. Through a code of ethics, the kind ofthinking and acting which is essential
to restore and maintain the integrity of the ecosystem will be brought to the fore as envisioned
in the Agreement and its amendments (Schaefer 1989).
12