Friends of the Earth (FoE) is a federation of autonomous local groups who are working towards an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable future. FoE Australia functions both through the activities of its local groups, and on the national level through appointed spokespeople, campaigns and projects, the national magazine - Chain Reaction, and the work of the national liaison officers.
Through a combination of research, community outreach, direct action, lobbying and offering positive business alternatives, FoE seeks to work in alliances with other like minded groups and individuals to achieve the necessary social change which will allow for environmental protection with full protection for the rights of all people.
FoEA is a grassroots and decentralised organisation that operates from an environmental justice perspective. FoE Australia sets policy, funding, and campaigning priorities at national meetings which are held twice a year. The national liaison office (currently hosted by FoE Melbourne) acts as a central check-in point for FoE Australia. The National Campaigns Reference Group (NCRG) is composed of representatives of local groups and national campaigns and advises on political direction and campaign priorities for the network as well as supporting capacity building initiatives.
FoE is the Australian member of Friends of the Earth International, which has member groups in 68 countries. Its international campaigns include corporate governance, climate change, trade and mining. More details at: http://www.foei.org
National Campaigns and Projects
National Projects
Environment and Population
Friends of the Earth (FoE) Australia has launched a population and environment project. This seeks to bring together existing FoEA work in the areas of climate justice, trade, sustainability and international solidarity campaigning.
Sustainable Food and Agriculture Project
The FoEA Sustainable Food and Agriculture Project addresses issues of social justice and environmental sustainability in contemporary food and farming systems.
Ecological Debt
Ecological Debt refers to "the cumulative responsibility of industrialised countries for the gradual destruction of the planet caused by their production & consumption patterns".
> Ecological Debt campaign page
Arid Lands Project
The goal of the project is to raise awareness of the environmental and social realities of Australian policies and management practices in regard to arid and semi-arid lands at domestic and international levels and to suggest alternative policy and management options.
Nanotechnology Project
Nanotechnology is a several billion dollar industry that is wholly unregulated. We are calling for a moratorium on the research, development and production of synthetic nanoproducts while regulations are developed to protect the health and safety of workers, the public and the environment from the harmful impacts of nanotechnology.
Anti-Nuclear
The Anti-Nuclear campaign opposes all aspects of the nuclear cycle.
Active campaigns currently include
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Existing uranium mines Ranger (NT), Beverley and Olympic Dam (SA) and proposed uranium mines Jabiluka (NT) and Honeymoon (SA).
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The transport and dumping of nuclear waste (National Radioactive Waste Dump near Woomera);
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Plans for a new nuclear reactor in Sydney (Lucas Heights).
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The irradiation plant at Narangba in SE QLD and the nationwide use of food irradiation.
> Anti-Nuclear campaign page
> contact the Anti-Nuclear campaign
Trade
FoEA continues to work on issues of trade and corporate behaviour. It launched a framework document: "Towards Sustainable Societies" in late 2000 and campaigns on the national and regional level.
At present the key campaign activity revolves around the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Climate justice
FoEA uses a combination of direct action, community education and lobbying techniques to generate debate and positive change on this issue. A key focus is the climate justice perspective, which considers the human dimensions of climate change.
> Climate campaign page
> contact the Climate campaign
Indigenous land & rights
Many local groups work in partnership with Indigenous communities. This includes shared campaigns over mining in Queensland, a cultural project in the Gulf Country of Queensland, and active involvement with the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta, the senior women opposing the proposed radioactive waste dump in South Australia. In Victoria, FoEA is working with the Yorta Yorta people to gain protection of the Barmah - Millewa forest on the Murray River.
Friends of the Earth Australia
