The precautionary principle has many names. Prevention. Foresight. Forecaring. I invented “forecaring” and it now appears in at least one resolution on the precautionary principle—Marin County, CA. But in general I don’t like invented words.

What’s your favorite substitute for “precautionary principle”?

We look for substitutes because “precaution” can sound timid and “principle” can sound abstract and because the precautionary principle, which is in fact bold and concrete, usually has to be explained. It’s worth explaining, but it may never become a household phrase.

Here’s an elevator-speech explanation, the precautionary principle in 25 words or less:

It’s the principle of protecting people and the environment when harm is likely but the science is uncertain.

Do you have a better elevator speech?

Go back about 500 years—seven modern lifetimes ago—and “seventh generation” becomes the best expression of the precautionary principle. The Indigenous chief known as the Great Peacemaker, founder of the Iroquois Confederacy, told his fellow chiefs to make their decisions with the seventh future generation in mind.  That’s one way to implement the precautionary principle.

“Seventh generation” is now a household phrase for more than one reason. It represents a great branding job first by the Great Peacemaker himself and then by a movement to amend the US Constitution launched in the 1980s by Native American leader Walt Bresette. And then there’s the green household products company. “Seventh generation,” in other words, has been taken.

But we all have to learn the Iroquois brand of long-term thinking. That’s the heart and soul of the precautionary principle. So let’s add a word, an idea: “Guardians.” “Guardianship.” And play with some more names.

Seventh generation guardians.

Guardians of future generations.

Guardians of the future.

Future guardians.

Elevator speech:

Someone who takes specific responsibility for our common future.

Maybe this idea has your name on it.