In Our History

" God has made us Guardians of the Earth. This planet is our heritage as well as our legacy. Let's keep it in Peace, fill it with Love, honor it with Service. Let's preserve it. "

Paulo VC Costa, President RI 1990-91

We must take the first steps in the colossal undertaking of mobilizing our fellow Rotarians and their clubs in this vital mission to preserve our planet from the aggressions it has suffered in the name of progress and development.

PRIP Paulo Costa very often quoted the words of the American Suquamish Indian Chief Seattle stressing:

" All things are interconnected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the people of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

At the Rotary International Environmental Seminar on Air Pollution in Chicago on August 13th 1990, PRIP Paulo Costa insisted that:

"Rotarians, as citizens of the world, must take the lead in facing the greatest challenge in human history, the survival of our planet."

"We must not leave solutions to Governments alone. We must all help. We must change the mindsets that have permitted, even encouraged, waste and extravagance. We must change our habits and actions, personally, in our communities, in our businesses. Ecology is a question for the whole world to address, not just developing countries."

At Rotary International's Environmental Conference in Manaus/Brazil, amid the splendor of the Amazon Rain Forest, PRIP Paulo Costa continued:

"If every nation on this earth, developed or still developing, does not make responsible choices for our future, the entire planet will suffer the consequences. Fewer trees means less rainfall. The rain that does fall washes topsoil away. And burning the trees sends carbon into the air, where it can contribute to the greenhouse effect. It is no longer a question of the beauty and integrity of nature. The future of humankind - and every other species is at stake."

"There are very few organizations with Rotary's potential to communicate good ideas. It is not our own good we seek, but it is the good of the Earth and those who inhabit it."

Marco Kappenberger

Rotary E-Club of Latinoamérica, President 2006-07,

President, Environment Fellowship of Rotarians

Apia, Samoa, SouthPacific

"What Paul Harris Said" From Rotary's Global History Project, a project of volunteer Rotarians from around the world.

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Rotary District 5220 - Serving California's Central Valley and Mother Lode