Berlin Launch of State of the World 2005

Worldwatch Institute

May 2, 2005

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Washington, D.C.—A quote from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai provided a visual backdrop for the April 27 launch of State of the World 2005: Redefining Global Security in Berlin: “If we did a better job of managing our resources more sustainably, conflicts over them would be reduced. Protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace.”

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer keynoted the event, stating forcefully that security can only be achieved in today’s world if social and environmental problems are effectively addressed. Speaking at the elegant headquarters of the Federal Foreign Ministry, Fischer’s comments provided further evidence that senior economic, defense, and foreign policy officials are responding positively to the Worldwatch Institute’s call for a new approach to security.

“Environmentalism is not 'dead'—it’s just going mainstream,” said Worldwatch Institute president Christopher Flavin, who represented Worldwatch Institute last week at the launch. “Stewardship of the Earth’s resources is central to virtually every major issue playing out in international affairs—from reducing dependence on imported oil to mitigating natural disasters and curbing infectious disease.”

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Full-text available at:

http://www.worldwatch.org/press/news/2005/05/02

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State of the World 2005
Foreword (By Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Chairman, Green Cross International)

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