Meet the Team Behind: Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth is a bold voice for justice and the planet, fighting for a healthy and just world by exposing those who endanger the planet for corporate profit. By fighting for climate action and holding economic and political leaders accountable, Friends of the Earth is making a tangible impact on the health of the planet. Learn more here!

Can you tell me about the work you do?

The harmful impacts of climate change are here and it’s time to take bold action to protect people and the planet before things get worse. We understand that the challenges facing our planet call for more than half measures, so we push for the reforms that are needed, not merely the ones that are politically easy. For 50 years, we’ve delivered important environmental victories— protecting pristine rainforests, stopping reckless fossil fuel projects, reducing the use of dangerous pesticides that decimate bee and butterfly populations. It’s time to double-down and step up to the new challenges facing our planet and all who call it home. 

What are your goals? 

We work to stop catastrophic climate change by promoting policies and actions that will cut carbon emissions, protect the world’s oceans from oil drilling and pollution, and end rainforest destruction by challenging financial investments and import policies. We support the land rights of Indigenous communities and aim to promote clean energy solutions while protecting public lands and waters from fossil fuel development. We hope to develop a sustainable food system that decreases our reliance on carbon-intensive factory farming and harmful pesticides. Our priorities also include defending the Environmental Protection Agency, the Endangered Species Act, and other key environmental victories from attempts to defund them. 

How do you tackle such a large issue like climate change? 

The problems we face are too big for tiny fixes around the edges. We fight for bold, transformational reforms that will put people and the planet over corporate profits. We seek to change the perception of the public, media, and policymakers with hard-hitting, well-reasoned policy analysis and advocacy campaigns that describe what needs to be done, rather than what is seen as politically feasible. To build long-term political power, we collaborate with broader movements, because the fight to protect our planet is intrinsically tied to the global struggle for justice. 

How can individuals get involved in your work? 

On our website, there are various petitions anyone can sign to make their voices heard. We have petitions to stop the cruise industry from destroying the arctic, to prevent bee-killing pesticides from being sold at Home Depot and Lowe’s, to pressure the EPA to address the plastic crisis in our oceans, and many more. Additionally, donations empower us to fight and win many important battles for our planet, and there are many ways to donate— either once or as a dedicated member. We rely on this support to maintain our mission— you are directly supporting the planet and its inhabitants for future generations.