Friends of the Earth is the U.S. voice of Friends of the Earth International, an international federation of diverse grassroots-based environmental organizations in 77 countries working in solidarity for sustainable, equitable and just societies.
We believe that as the world’s biggest historical global warming polluter, and as a wealthy nation with considerable resources, the United States has a special responsibility to lead the world in forging equitable solutions to the climate crisis, and we hold elected officials accountable for living up to that responsibility. We also believe, for the poorest countries on our planet, the global economic system has been an underlying cause behind environmental degradation and disruption of people’s livelihoods, and we work to change unjust global financial institutions and trade rules.
Read the latest news and updates from our International campaigns:
No, developed countries didn’t in fact finally live up to their historical responsibility by committing to deep emissions cuts or significant financing to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change. However, yours truly was, for the very first time in her life, upgraded to business class for the transatlantic flight to Barcelona! I can’t imagine a better way to have started the trip and I am hoping that the official start of the talks tomorrow will be similarly hopeful.
Despite the gloomy weather last weekend in the nation’s capital, a diverse group of local activists filled Malcom X Park on October 24 to show solidarity with people across the globe and call for action to stop pollution and poverty. The event was part of the International Day of Climate Action. In Washington, D.C., Friends of the Earth joined forces with 350.org, the Hip Hop Caucus, Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the local community to demand action to stop global warming. The rain didn’t stop people from enjoying a day of musical performances, speakers, and a march to the White House.
We are writing from Bangkok, where the latest round of international climate negotiations -- intended to result in agreement by all countries to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- is coming to an end.
We wish we had better news to share, but unfortunately, little progress has been made over the last two weeks. The reason? The United States is standing in the way.
International climate change negotiations are underway in Bangkok, Thailand from September 28 - October 9 and two intrepid members of our international team at Friends of the Earth, Karen Orenstein and Kate Horner, are there to participate in and monitor the talks. They are producing this video blog to keep you all informed about the day-to-day developments.
As world leaders gather today at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, more than 125 groups representing constituents in over 100 countries delivered an urgent letter to President Obama requesting bold action to fight climate change.
The letter asks President Obama to set ‘a vastly higher level of ambition for the United States’ contribution to both greenhouse gas emission cuts and a package of finance and technology for developing countries.’
Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) applauds the return to 
Honduras of its legitimate president, Manuel Zelaya, who has taken refuge in the Embassy of Brazil in Tegucigalpa. At the same time we note with grave concern the siege on the Brazilian Embassy and the increase in repression following the return of President Zelaya. Friends of the Earth International denounces the gross human rights violations in Honduras perpetuated by the illegitimate government. This repression violates international norms and cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
On June 28th, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was kidnapped from the presidential residence and forced into exile by members of the Honduran military during the country’s first coup d’etat in over three decades. Since the coup, thousands of Honduran citizens have taken to the streets of Tegucigalpa and other places around the country to protest the military-backed de facto regime of Roberto Micheletti, which has brutally repressed the opposition. Friends of the Earth-US is deeply concerned about attacks on Hondurans protesting the coup that have resulted in gross human rights violations.
In Mongolia, increased mining in recent years has caused severe damage to the country’s environment and the traditional communities that have lived off the land for centuries. The country’s scarce water resources (less than 1% of surface area) and forests are being stressed by mining companies exploiting Mongolia’s vast mineral deposits. Now, as the rivers disappear into parched desert and communities are forced to move to the overcrowded and polluted capital Ulaanbaatar, citizens have brought their life-or-death fight over mining to the government in hopes of garnering legislation that would prevent unsustainable mining in river basins and forests and repair some of the damage that has already been done.
In response to House Appropriations Committee mark-up of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, ActionAid USA, Center of Concern, Church World Service, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Friends of the Earth US, Gender Action, Jubilee USA Network, and Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns issued the following statement:
We welcome the appropriation of $50 million for two United Nations climate funds—the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund—as a step in the right direction. However, we are alarmed that the amount designated for the United Nations is six times less than what is appropriated for the World Bank’s controversial new Climate Investment Funds. The $50 million is also far less than what developing countries urgently need in order to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Therefore, we urge the Senate Appropriations Committee to appropriate an additional $75 million for the LDCF, in effect shifting the House appropriation out of the Strategic Climate Fund.
Congress has a historic opportunity this year to pass legislation that dramatically reduces greenhouse gas pollution and puts us on a path to clean energy. Unfortunately, that opportunity could be squandered this week when a deeply flawed bill comes to the House floor.
