Friends of the Earth is an international network of environmental organizations founded in 1969, campaigning for climate justice, biodiversity protection, and sustainable, equitable societies around the world.
Friends of the Earth (FoE) was founded in 1969 in San Francisco, California, by David Brower, a former executive director of the Sierra Club. Brower, along with Donald Aitken and Jerry Mander, sought to create a new kind of environmental group that would not only defend natural landscapes but also tackle broader social and economic systems driving environmental destruction.
The organization quickly made a name for itself by taking strong positions on controversial issues such as nuclear power, whaling, and corporate pollution. Unlike some conservation groups that focused solely on wilderness preservation, Friends of the Earth emphasized the connection between environmental protection and human rights, aiming for systemic change rather than isolated victories.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Friends of the Earth launched pioneering campaigns against nuclear energy, the dumping of toxic waste, and threats to endangered species. They were among the first to oppose nuclear power not just on safety grounds but also because of its environmental and social costs. Their activism helped shape early debates about renewable energy and sustainable development.
Friends of the Earth expanded internationally in 1971, with groups forming in England, France, and Sweden. This expansion led to the creation of Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) in 1971, which today is the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 73 countries. Each national group operates autonomously but shares a common commitment to social and environmental justice.
Friends of the Earth has played a crucial role in many important environmental victories. In the 1970s, the organization was instrumental in banning commercial whaling through persistent international lobbying. It also successfully campaigned against dam projects that would have flooded vast natural habitats, such as the James Bay hydroelectric project in Canada.
In the 1990s and 2000s, FoE campaigned heavily against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture, citing risks to biodiversity and food sovereignty. They also fought for stronger international agreements on climate change, human rights, and corporate accountability. Their emphasis on community-based solutions and environmental democracy has consistently set them apart from more top-down environmental groups.
Today, Friends of the Earth International continues to campaign on a wide range of pressing global issues. Their climate justice campaign calls for a rapid end to fossil fuel extraction, fair climate finance for poorer countries, and a just transition to renewable energy. They are also deeply engaged in protecting forests, defending Indigenous rights, and challenging trade deals that prioritize corporate profit over environmental and social well-being.
FoE places strong emphasis on grassroots activism, supporting local communities around the world who are directly affected by environmental harm. Whether it’s fighting palm oil deforestation in Indonesia, opposing fracking projects in Argentina, or challenging mining operations in Africa, Friends of the Earth remains committed to bottom-up, people-powered change.
As environmental crises become more interconnected with global inequality, Friends of the Earth is strengthening its alliances with social movements focused on labor rights, gender justice, and Indigenous sovereignty. They recognize that solving the climate crisis requires addressing systemic inequalities and building new economic models based on sustainability and fairness.
Friends of the Earth’s future vision is grounded in solidarity, cooperation, and resistance to corporate power. By continuing to empower local communities and influence global policy, they aim to create a world where the health of people and the planet is prioritized over profits and exploitation.
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