I recently traveled to Brazil to take part in a number of events and meetings related to the project I am working on: the Global Ethical Stocktake (GES). One thing I noticed immediately is that the GES goes by a different name there. They call it the “Balanço Global Ético,” and sometimes just say “o balanço” or “the balance.” This brought to mind the image of a balance sheet with one side
The communities most affected by environmental injustices have long recognized what academic institutions are only now beginning to acknowledge: the most pressing ecological challenges cannot be solved solely through the sciences. Addressing these challenges requires relying on multiple ways of knowing, drawing on a convergence of knowledge systems that honors both empirical data and the lived experiences of those most affected by environmental degradation. A significant challenge in exploring different
On July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered a groundbreaking advisory opinion on climate change. For the first time, the United Nations’ top court unanimously affirmed that states are legally obligated under international law to take meaningful action to address the climate crisis, and that failure to act on climate protection could violate international law. While advisory opinions are not legally binding, they carry significant legal and
On Friday, June 13, nearly a hundred people arrived at the Ashokan Center near Kingston, New York, for a training hosted by the Center for Earth Ethics. Called “Spirit of Place,” the program was guided by the intention to invite participants into a deep experience of authentic connection to place, purpose and community. The purpose of the training was to learn from each other about the multiple dimensions of climate
Updated July 25, 2025 The Center for Earth Ethics is honored to announce that Executive Director Karenna Gore will serve as the regional co-leader for the North America Dialogue of the Global Ethical Stocktake (GES), a groundbreaking initiative leading up to the 2025 United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, in November. Featuring six dialogues from around the world, the GES seeks to elevate the moral and ethical dimensions
This summer, the future of the deep ocean took center stage. In June, global leaders, scientists and civil society convened at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, and at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations in Kingston, Jamaica, where discussions around commercial deep sea mining gained momentum. As the ISA negotiations continue through July 25, 2025, governments and institutions are weighing how and whether to move forward with a
