The Trusteeship of Creation “God gave the care of his earth and its species to our first parents. That responsibility has passed into our hands.” (Nat’l Association of Evangelicals, 2004) Jennifer Kenyan “God gave the care of his earth and its species to our first parents. That responsibility has passed into our hands.” (Nat’l Association of Evangelicals, 2004) Jennifer Kenyan

Why Protect the Commons?  The moral argument: We have a duty to preserve irreplaceable gifts of creation.  The economic argument: Any society that depletes its natural capital is bound to become impoverished over time.  The moral argument: We have a duty to preserve irreplaceable gifts of creation.  The economic argument: Any society that depletes its natural capital is bound to become impoverished over time.

The Divine Right of Capital  Under our current operating system, the right of capital trumps everything else.  Only the Endangered Species Act favors creations gifts (a species’ right to survive trumps capital’s right to short term gain).  BUT broad benefit should trump narrow benefit, therefore the commons should trump capital.  Under our current operating system, the right of capital trumps everything else.  Only the Endangered Species Act favors creations gifts (a species’ right to survive trumps capital’s right to short term gain).  BUT broad benefit should trump narrow benefit, therefore the commons should trump capital.

From Gardens to Ecosystems  The Trebah Gardens: from private ownership to common ownership.  Trusts: a fiduciary relationship where the trust and trustees are legally obligated to act solely on behalf of beneficiaries.  Not stewardship, which is voluntary and vague.  The Trebah Gardens: from private ownership to common ownership.  Trusts: a fiduciary relationship where the trust and trustees are legally obligated to act solely on behalf of beneficiaries.  Not stewardship, which is voluntary and vague.

Common Property Trusts  Assets would be managed first and foremost on behalf of future generations.  Conservation easement: a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a trust that permanently limits uses of the land. Can be sold or passed on to heirs, but give up some rights, e.g. the right to build additional buildings.  Assets would be managed first and foremost on behalf of future generations.  Conservation easement: a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a trust that permanently limits uses of the land. Can be sold or passed on to heirs, but give up some rights, e.g. the right to build additional buildings.

Commons Rent  The trusts collect rent from all according to commons use (rent which is usually collected by big polluters), and dividends are distributed equally to commons users and owners.  Results: Pollution decreases, and dividends increase as the trusts reduce the number of permits available (scarcity). Selling permits on the open market will ensure high prices.  The trusts collect rent from all according to commons use (rent which is usually collected by big polluters), and dividends are distributed equally to commons users and owners.  Results: Pollution decreases, and dividends increase as the trusts reduce the number of permits available (scarcity). Selling permits on the open market will ensure high prices.

Consequences  Income recycling effects are diminished as commons rent are used for public goods rather than per capita dividends.  Less-pollution-equals-more dividends is a finite model.  BUT sharing commons rent through per capita dividends will reduce poverty.  Income recycling effects are diminished as commons rent are used for public goods rather than per capita dividends.  Less-pollution-equals-more dividends is a finite model.  BUT sharing commons rent through per capita dividends will reduce poverty.

Accountability and Democracy  Trustees are constrained by the law, and by fiduciary duty.  Install strict conflict of interest rules.  Create non-profits to represent the best interests of future generations.  Appoint or elect trustees who are professional, honest, well-compensated, and honored to lengthy terms.  Trustees are constrained by the law, and by fiduciary duty.  Install strict conflict of interest rules.  Create non-profits to represent the best interests of future generations.  Appoint or elect trustees who are professional, honest, well-compensated, and honored to lengthy terms.