Blog
A 200,000-Strong Coalition Calls on the USDA to Prohibit Genetically Engineered Alfalfa
Hundreds of Friends of the Earth supporters joined a coalition of more than 200,000 NGOs, farmers, consumers, and organic producers in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prohibit genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa. We were also signatories of a letter with over 300 organizations asking USDA to deny approval of Monsanto’s GE alfalfa. Read More
Who Owns Your Genes? Gene Patents and the Threat to Public Health
Did you know that around 20 percent of the human genome has been patented? That corporations and researchers own hundreds of animal genes and thousands of plant genes? That even some DNA sequences of viruses like AIDS and SARS are patented, and a researcher could be violating the law if he or she uses them to create a new life-saving vaccine? Read More
President Obama’s Risky Nuclear Industry Bailout
By Ben Schreiber, Climate and Energy Tax Analyst for Friends of the Earth Read More
GM Crops Failing to Tackle Climate Change
A new report from Friends of the Earth International reveals that claims made by the biotech industry that genetically modified (GM) crops can combat climate change are both exaggerated and premature. Read More
EPA Releases Final Biofuels Mandate Rules (RFS2)
In early February 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rules on the Renewable Fuels Standard. Friends of the Earth and allied groups had pushed the EPA to account for the indirect greenhouse gas emissions that biofuels production causes when calculating the global warming impact of biofuels. Read More
New Ads in Opposition to Obama Administration’s Nuclear Bailout
Friends of the Earth recently released two TV ads in South Carolina and Georgia opposing the Obama administration's proposed bailout of the nuclear industry. For more information about the ads, see our release. They're called "Family" and "Risk," and you can see them below: Family: Read More
Tar Sands: Resources and Information
Below, are resources and information on Friends of the Earth's tar sands campaigns. Fact sheets: General tar sands factsheet Keystone XL fact sheet Refinery tax credit fact sheet Read More
Resources for Journalists: Understanding the Copenhagen Accord
The two-week climate conference in Copenhagen this past December produced the Copenhagen Accord. The Accord is a two-and-a-half page document that emerged in the final days of the summit, containing an inadequate goal of keeping global temperature increases below 2?C and no mechanism for achieving this goal. As of February 4,… Read More
Cruise ships holding pollution just for the Winter Olympics?
The Port of Vancouver has announced that cruise lines visiting the port during the upcoming Winter Olympics, including Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines, will commit to implementing several environmentally friendly measures to protect the air and waters of the port from pollution. Read More
Meet Eric Hoffman
Friends of the Earth is a fierce advocate of scientific progress, but corporations often seek profit from scientific developments with little regard for human health. We must take precaution to ensure new technologies don't do more harm than good. In this video, Eric outlines some of the challenges that lie ahead for his campaigns. Read More