WHAT ON EARTH SUMMER 2021
PAGE 12
Friends of the Earth International turns
50!
By Eilidh Stanners, Communications Officer
Friends of the Earth is celebrating its long history this month, having just hit the milestone anniversary of 50 years since it was founded. The international group was started in 1971, and it was originally made up of four organisations in the USA, England, France and Sweden. From there it grew with annual meetings of environmentalists from around the world campaigning on crucial issues. Friends of the Earth Scotland formed not long after the founding member organisations in 1978, when there were already some Friends of the Earth local groups taking action across the country. The first was Friends of the Earth Edinburgh group, which was set up in 1972 and is still going strong today. There are now 73 Friends of the Earth member groups which are campaigning internationally, nationally and locally to protect the environment and create sustainable societies, with millions of supporters around the world.
We’ve shared some common fights, and have also had more localised successes over half a century – but we are always inspired by each other’s work and drive to keep trying to make positive change. Action is the best antidote to feeling despair at the environmental and social crises we face, and the achievements we see happening show that people power really does lead to change. In celebration of 50 years, here are a few victories from around the world. Photos opposite: Top left FoEI meeting, Swaziland 2007 Top right FoE South Africa at Durban climate talks 2011, by Luka Tomac /FoEI Middle right: Human flood at Copenhagen climate talks in 2009, by Christoffer Askman / FoEI Bottom left FoE Brasil Bottom right Milieudefensie vs Shell court case 2012, by Pierre Crom
