Friends of Mother Earth operates on the principal of Vivir Bien, the key principles of which are as follows:
Harmony with Nature: Humans are stewards, not owners, of nature, with a reciprocal relationship emphasizing biocentrism.
Community-Centric: The good of the community supersedes individual gain, including non-human elements like plants and animals.
Cultural Sensitivity: Rooted in indigenous cosmologies (e.g., Quechua, Aymara, Guaraní), it values pluralism and linguistic inclusivity.
Critique of Capitalism: Rejects unregulated market economies and anthropocentric development, promoting “a-growth” perspectives.
Vivir bien is about relationships between people, and between people and nature. These relationships are viewed as essential to building a socio-economically robust and resilient society in the face of climate chaos.
Villages, towns and municipalities need to be given greater authority and autonomy. Locals are in the best position to address their own climate chaos impacts, whether social, economic, or ecologic.