Blog
Cargill announces new palm oil policy
Cargill, the largest importer of palm oil into the United States, announced today a new palm oil sustainability policy, in response to years of campaigning by civil society groups. This policy adds to the mounting list of similar policies by consumer companies, including many of Cargill’s customers such as… Read More
Ten things to know before you take a cruise
It is estimated that almost 22 million people will take a cruise in 2014. While the cruise industry has made a commitment to protect the marine ecosystems and the unique communities they visit, there remains plenty of room for improvement. To hold cruise lines accountable, Friends of the Earth produces… Read More
Subsistence farmers and great apes on alert: the African palm oil frontier continues to grow
Earlier this month, Liberian peasant farmer and activist Elder Chio Johnson stood frustrated before the locked iron gates enclosing the regional offices of two big palm oil companies, Equatorial Palm Oil and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, in Grand Bassa County, Liberia. “They refuse to talk to us about our land business. Read More
To drill or not to drill? Obama’s offshore drilling dilemma
Take action: Click here to tell President Obama to keep fossil fuels in the ground! The Obama administration has an environmental identity crisis. On the one hand, it has pledged to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions in order to leave future generations a planet that is not polluted and… Read More
A deeper dive into NGOs claims on biotech foods
This is background information about my story, “Why NGOs can’t be trusted on GMOs“, which ran on 16 July. A deeper dive into NGO’s claims on biotech foods -The Guardian 7/16/14… Read More
Nuclear nonsense in House energy bill
Last week, the House passed the FY15 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, which funds the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons and power programs. In response, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Statement of Administrative Policy suggesting the president would veto the bill if it were presented… Read More
Europe at TTIP talks: Open the US energy spigot
European officials have a message for their American counterparts as they head into transatlantic trade negotiations this week: Open the spigot. Europe at TTIP talks: Open the US energy spigot -Christian Science Monitor 7/15/14… Read More
Congress puts Obama’s overseas coal ban on chopping block
Centrist senators hope to scrap an Obama administration prohibition on financing for overseas coal projects as part of a compromise that would renew the charter for the US Export-Import Bank. Congress puts Obama’s overseas coal ban on chopping block -Christian Science Monitor 7/11/14… Read More
Environmental groups oppose transatlantic trade deal
The outcome for a transatlantic trade deal remains in doubt during the run-up to the sixth round of negotiations, as environmental groups across the pond fight against an expansion of energy exports and any easing of safety standards. Environmental groups oppose transatlantic trade deal -Wall Street Journal MarketWatch 7/10/14… Read More
Green groups call on Senate to reject Manchin Ex-Im bill
A coalition of green groups plan to urge President Obama and senators to oppose a bill reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank over its roll-back of restrictions for financing overseas coal plants. Green groups call on Senate to reject Manchin Ex-Im bill -The Hill 7/10/14… Read More