Friends of the Earth (US)

Friends of the Earth U.S. is a non-governmental environmental organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 1969 by environmentalist David Brower. Friends of the Earth U.S. campaigns on issues including climate change, pollution, nuclear technology, genetic engineering, deforestation, pesticides, food and agriculture and economic policy.[1] It is a founding member of Friends of the Earth International.[2]

Friends of the Earth, U.S
FoundedSan Francisco, CA in 1969
TypeNon-governmental organization
HeadquartersWashington, DC and Berkeley, California
President
Erich Pica
Websitefoe.org

Background

Friends of the Earth U.S. was founded in California in 1969 by environmentalist David Brower after he left the Sierra Club.[3] The organization was launched with the help of Donald Aitken, Jerry Mander and a $200,000 donation from the personal funds of Robert O. Anderson.[4] One of its first major campaigns was the protest of nuclear power, particularly in California.[3]

The organization merged with the Environmental Policy Center and the Oceanic Society in 1989.[3]

Friends of the Earth International was founded in 1971 and today is a network of environmental organizations in 75 countries.[5] In its early years, Friends of the Earth US was headquartered in San Francisco, but it was a largely decentralized organization, giving significant power and freedom to its local branches.[3]

Friends of the Earth, Inc. v Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc.
Main article: Friends of the Earth, Inc. v. Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc.

In 1999, Friends of the Earth represented residents near the North Tyger River in South Carolina in a case against Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. The case addressed the industrial pollution of the river. Although Laidlaw claimed that the case was moot, since the factory responsible for polluting the river had been closed, the Court held that the plaintiff had standing to sue because the residents alleged that they would have used the river for recreational purposes, but could not because of the pollution. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the majority wrote that the "aesthetic and recreational values of the area" had been lessened because of the defendant's repeated violations of its clean water permit.[6]

Projects and campaigns

Friends of the Earth U.S. runs campaigns that generally fall into four major categories, supporting the organization's overarching principles: promoting sustainability, fighting for worldwide social and economic justice, and encouraging systemic change for lasting results.[7] Many of their efforts focus on lobbying policies.

Oceans and forests

The cruise industry has been criticized for the environmental impacts of their ships such as carbon emissions, air pollution, disposal of sewage and wastewater, and oil spills.[8] This campaign has worked to pressure the International Maritime Organization to tighten and enforce international ship emissions standards including the Polar Code.[9]

Economic policy

The campaign also targets some World Trade Organization agreements that are said to strike down environmental regulation to encourage profits.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Projects". Friends of the Earth. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  2. "About FoEI Archives - Friends of the earth international". foei.org. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  3. "The Decline and Fall of Friends of the Earth in the United States". lornasalzman.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  4. "The Big Bad Bank - Presented by George Washington Hunt". thebigbadbank.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  5. "History". foei.org. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  6. "FRIENDS OF EARTH, INC. V. LAIDLAW ENVI-RONMENTAL SERVICES (TOC), INC". cornell.edu. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  7. "What we stand for". Friends of the Earth. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  8. South Florida Sun-Sentinel (December 10, 2014). "Cruise ships dumped a billion gallons of sewage, Friends of Earth says - Sun Sentinel". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  9. "IMO adopts Polar Code which comes into force in 2017; environmental groups unsatisfied". MercoPress. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  10. "Law Scholars From 11 Countries Urge Reversal of Chevron RICO Decision, Saying Judge Kaplan Violated International Law - Business Wire". businesswire.com. July 11, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
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