Friends of the Earth is the largest international network of environmental groups, represented in 68 countries. It’s one of the leading environmental pressure groups in the UK. A unique network of campaigning local groups, working in more than 200 communities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Largely funded by their supporters. Over 90 per cent of their income comes from individual donations, the rest from special fundraising events, grants and trading.
Friends of the Earth is two distinct organisations:
Friends of the Earth Limited is a registered company, number 1012357. Since its activities mainly involve campaigning and political lobbying it's not eligible for charitable status.
Friends of the Earth Trust is a registered charity, number 281681. Being a charity offers significant tax breaks such as Gift Aid.
Its activities include public education, environmental research and educational research and educational projects. Examples of the work carried out by Friends of the Earth Trust include:
o Learning
- our online resource for educators and young people
o Community
- our online resource for community activists
o Safer Chemicals
- our campaign to establish new laws to control risky chemicals
For thousands upon thousands of years, the Earth has sustained a wonderfully rich and interconnected web of life.
The world's forests are disappearing and our air and water are no longer clean and pure. Species are dying out at a terrifying rate and toxic waste is piling up. People everywhere suffer from pollution and environmental damage.
It needn't be like this. Since 1971 Friends of the Earth has led the way in putting forward positive solutions to these and many other environmental problems.
Thanks to the support of tens of thousands of people who share their conviction that the natural world and all living things should be treated with wisdom and respect, they've won some tremendous victories.
Friends of the Earth was the first environmental pressure group in the UK to start campaigns for whales, endangered species and tropical rainforests, and against acid rain, ozone depletion and climate change.
Today they campaign on more issues than any other environmental group in the country.
Join Friends of the Earth in:
o protecting wildlife habitats and the countryside
o encouraging sustainable agriculture
o stopping the destruction of tropical rainforests
o preventing air pollution and acid rain
o promoting waste reduction and reducing over-consumption
o forcing the clean-up of rivers and drinking water
o stopping hazardous waste dumping
o controlling dangerous chemicals, including pesticides
o reducing traffic levels and improving public transport
o stopping climate change
o protecting the ozone layer
o phasing out nuclear power, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy
Locally, nationally and internationally, Friends of the Earth has scored many remarkable victories on behalf of our threatened world.
Since 1971, they've saved hundreds of wildlife havens, won protection for endangered species, halted unnecessary and damaging road schemes, blocked unsafe plans for nuclear waste dumping, and achieved the passage of five Acts of Parliament - to name just a few!
Why Friends of the Earth's campaigns get results:
o They get our facts right.
o They expose environmental destruction and related social injustices.
o They propose positive solutions - and show how solving environmental problems will help solve economic and social problems.
o They pursue campaigns over the long term.
o They cover a wide range of issues.
o They work at all levels - locally, nationally and internationally.
o They increase awareness and understanding.
o They offer opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Five good reasons to support Friends of the Earth:
They are effective: their campaigns get politicians and industry to take action - through persuasive argument, lobbying and use of the law when necessary.
They are authoritative: their pioneering research is widely used by governments, commerce, the media and other environmental organizations.
They inform: they publish a broad range of information to help everyone find out and take action on environmental problems that affect them.
They are independent: they work with all political parties, but are aligned to none.
They innovate at all levels: from their participation in Friends of the Earth International to the work carried out by over 200 local groups, they are uniquely placed to mobilize public opinion and campaign successfully - locally, nationally and internationally.
So become a Friend of the Earth!!