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E H T F FRIENDS O EARTH www.foe.org | Volume 39, Number 3 | Fall 2009 NEWSMAGAZINE

Making Waves for Climate Justice

Meet Our New President page 4 Come Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary page 11 OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S COLUMN I Obama Officials Are Not Leading

DURING MY SUMMER vaca - Public Policy beginning in tion this past August it was 1998, has been designated as refreshing to see progress Senior Advisor to the being made on clean energy Commissioner. So much for as I toured wind farms in Obama’s policy of not putting upstate New York. For fat-cat lobbyists in top influ - instance, to the west of the ential positions! Adirondack Mountains, the Mountain-top coal mining Maple Ridge wind farm, with in West Virginia and Kentucky about 200 turbines, generates is one of the most blatant enough power to supply two transgressions against the percent of the state’s residen - forests and waters of the U.S. tial electricity. I was despite the fact that it’s impressed by how quiet the against national law. Yet wind turbines are, even when Brent spent his summer vacation on Silver Lake in New York with his Obama has nominated a standing underneath them, family; in this picture he is canoeing with his niece Evelyn. business-as-usual state offi - and by how well they fitted cial to head the Office of into the agricultural landscape. of our environmental colleagues in Surface Mining. Joseph Pizarchik’s Turning to the Obama adminis - Central America. Members of Friends record on Pennsylvania mining has tration and hope for the future, the of the Earth Honduras fear for their been abysmal in terms of granting big question is how the new lives following the military coup in permits that lead to serious water appointees are doing in the admin - early summer, but the United States pollution and toxic contamination. istration’s first nine months in office. did not vigorously condemn this coup In the international arena last Friends of the Earth believes that the nor did it did immediately cut off U.S. July, President Obama claimed he time has come to demand more aid as required by law. As a result the could ignore Congress’s mandate to from Obama officials on human brutalities have continued through - pressure the World Bank on environ - rights, health, and environmental out the summer and a tacit green mental and labor standards. protection. We are not seeing the light has been given to the world for In the global negotiations this kind of decisive positive actions from such anti-democratic outrages. year on climate, Friends of the Earth Obama’s appointees that we saw There is growing concern about the International member groups are from the Bush appointees who were blistering array of harmful chemicals astounded to find that Obama’s zealous in their efforts to dismantle now being found in our bodies, but team is basically indistinguishable health, workplace safety, and envi - Obama’s people have not reversed the from the Bush negotiators on cer - ronmental safeguards. In fact, the anti-environmental procedures that tain positions. Bush officials were so blatant in Bush officials put in place. I hope that all Friends of the Earth their frontal assault that Friends of When it comes to crucial appoint - supporters will demand from Obama’s the Earth proceeded to document, ments, we applaud Obama’s appointees swift and decisive action to month by month, the major anti- Supreme Court nomination of Sonia repair the damage done by Bush and environmental actions taken by that Sotomayor, but in other less visible to move our nation forward as a administration. positions, once again the fox is given defender of human rights, social jus - Obama officials are too weak- the job of guarding the chicken tice, and the environment. kneed and simply not stepping up to coup. At the Food and Drug the plate to seize opportunities and Administration, Michael Taylor, who lead. Take human rights and the fate was Monsanto’s Vice President for

2 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Fall 2009 I E

ECOBITES H T F FRIENDS O EARTH NEWSMAGAZINE Dirty Coal Lobbyists Caught in Forgery Scandal www.foe.org In July, reports surfaced that a D.C. lobby - Earth and activists from Avaaz.org react - Volume 39, Number 3 ing firm hired by the coal industry had ed immediately by holding a protest Fall 2009 forged letters to Congress in an attempt outside the offices of the firm, Bonner to weaken energy legislation. The letters and Associates, to call out the firm’s were purportedly from local NAACP and naked fraud. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) Ecobites ...... Latino groups, but in fact were sent followed up by announcing a congres - 3 without their knowledge. Friends of the sional investigation into the matter. Giving Through Saving the Rivers of the Nation’s Capital Your Workplace ...... 3 The D.C. Environmental Network, spear - 2009. This law attaches a small five- headed by Friends of the Earth, cele - cent fee on disposable shopping bags Meet Our New brated a victory when Mayor Adrian to curb the use of these bags resulting President Erich Pica . . . Fenty signed into law the Anacostia in a cleaner Anacostia River, Potomac 4 River Cleanup and Protection Act of River and Rock Creek. Behind the Scenes: Ship Shape: Cleaner Ships Save Lives Danielle Fugere In August, nine years and two court announced proposed cleaner air pol - and Sara Schedler . . . . . 5 battles after Friends of the Earth lution standards for ocean-going ves - first demanded that the U.S. sels. The rules would reduce harmful Cover Story: Making Environmental Protection Agency pollutants by 80 percent or more by craft more protective air pollution 2030, preventing between 13,000 and Waves for Climate limits for large ships, the agency 33,000 premature deaths. Justice: and Beyond ...... 6 Get involved in issues and debates affecting human health and the planet by signing up for Friends of the Earth action alerts and monthly newsletters by email. Go to www.foe.org and enter your email address in the box provided in the left-hand navigation bar. Celebrating 14 Years of The DC Environmental Network ...... 10 GIVING I The Age of Stupid . . . . 11 Another great way to give is through Earth Share, a nationwide network of leading environmental 40th Anniversary organizations that works to educate Party in DC ...... 11 the public about the environment GIVING THROUGH YOUR WORKPLACE and to provide opportunities to care is a great way to support Friends of for our planet through workplace the Earth’s advocacy for the planet giving. and all the life it supports. For more information or to find If your employer participates in out if Earth Share participates at your the federal government’s Combined workplace, visit www.earthshare.org . Federal Campaign (CFC #12067), Friends of the Earth’s CFC designation United Way, or other workplace giv - number is 12067. For other questions, ing campaigns, you can support contact Peter Stocker at (866) 217-8499, Friends of the Earth through an ext. 216, or [email protected] . automatic payroll deduction.

Fall 2009 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 3 OUR NEW PRESIDENT I A Message from Erich Pica

DEAR NEW AND LONGTIME friends Over the past 10 years, and with of the Friends of the Earth, the help of members like you, I It is with great enthusiasm and have: hope that I’d like to introduce myself • continued the campaign to cut as the next president of Friends of more than $54 billion in envi - the Earth. For more than a decade I ronmentally harmful and have worked with Friends of the wasteful spending from the Earth, first as a fellow and for the last federal budget as a lead cam - six years as Director of Domestic paigner on our Green Scissors Programs. It is an honor to lead this Campaign; organization, and I know together we • headed our efforts to cut oil are going to achieve great victories and gas subsidies; and more for our planet. recently We are living in a historic time for • led Friends of the Earth’s global global environmental advocacy. The warming advocacy, culminat - imminent threat of global warming, ing in our campaign to “Fix or our reliance on fossil fuels instead of Ditch ” the weak Lieberman- renewable energy and clean trans - Warner Global Warming bill, portation, toxins in our homes and and our opposition to the new environment, and other threats all Waxman-Markey bill, legisla - demand solutions that go beyond tion that would actually take inflating tires and changing light us a step backward. bulbs. They require challenging those who would put profit over the Erich Pica, President of Friends of the Earth. health of our planet and its people. urgent need to protect our planet your gut and your heart, then you’ll The fulfillment of our mission “to and its people from economic make the right decision.” champion a healthy and just world,” exploitation. We must break the My father’s advice sits at the core demands that we continue the vicious cycle of destroying the envi - of Friends of the Earth’s philosophy, aggressive advocacy that we have ronment for the sake of profit and and it’s been exemplified by both pursued since our founding 40 years economic growth. The future of the our founder, David Brower, and our ago. planet and all the life it supports outgoing president, Brent I come from a family of farmers depend on it. Blackwelder. We inform ourselves by and educators in a conservative part Following graduation, I moved talking to the world’s experts; we of southwest Michigan. I enjoyed with my wife-to-be, Amy, to check these facts against our funda - growing up on and exploring my Washington, DC, to work on environ - mental beliefs in environmental pro - family’s farm and surrounding open mental policy. After searching long tection and justice; and then we space. Those experiences taught me and hard for a job, I received two fight like hell for what we believe in. early on to value the freedom and offers. The first was a high-paying This is what brought me to Friends beauty of wild places and farmland, environmental position with a well- of the Earth and I hope it’s part of even if farming itself wasn’t for me. known consulting firm. The second what inspired you to join our move - But it wasn’t until I attended was a fellowship at Friends of the ment. I look forward to continuing Western Michigan University, and Earth offering miserly pay. It was a this powerful advocacy together. read Lester Brown’s “State of the difficult choice so I sought the advice World,” that I woke up to the crisis of my father. My dad said: “Erich, I threatening our fragile environ - don’t know which job is best for you, ment. What moved me then, and but if you inform yourself, follow what motivates me now, is the

4 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Fall 2009 BEHIND THE SCENES I What Drives Us: An Interview with Danielle and Sara

Danielle Fugere and Sara Schedler coordinate the Clean Cars Program for Friends of the Earth.

How is your transportation choice a reflection of your work? DF: More than thirty percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, so reducing car emissions is an essen - tial and logical solution to the climate Danielle test driving a plug-in Prius not yet Sara shares a biodiesel car. crisis. The Clean Cars Program pro - available on the market. motes, among other transportation What is your campaign goal alternatives, plug-in vehicles that they are the cleanest vehicles on the for the next six months? achieve 100+ miles per gallon (MPG) road today. However, I don’t have a DF: We will continue to promote and can be fueled with solar-generat - garage or access to a charging sta - plug-in vehicles and solar fuel stations ed electricity. Plug-in hybrids and all- tion. For this reason, I am personally in order to achieve zero emissions electric cars will be coming to market motivated to work on our campaign driving. To that end we will meet with beginning in 2010, but until then, to promote public solar fuel stations city planners, businesses, transit when I need to drive, I rely on my that charge electric vehicles from agencies, and others in California to 2000 hybrid Honda Insight, a car that 100 percent renewable , promote planning for and purchasing achieves more than 50 MPG. to create one of the least carbon- of plug-in vehicles. We are also SS: I use public transportation most intensive modes of transportation working with these entities to move of the time, but I also have a . the solar fuel station concept from an biodiesel car that runs on fuel made idea into reality. We aspire to from 100 percent locally sourced and Do your work and your choice eventually take this model recycled vegetable oil. I use waste oil of transportation affect those nationwide. that doesn’t have to be shipped from around you? Go to www.foe.org/what-drives-us to long distances, given that virgin bio - SS: My mom just bought a Toyota Prius read the full interview and to see a fuels can be very carbon-intensive and is on a waiting list to get it convert - complete rundown of how Friends of and often cause land and rainforest ed to a plug-in vehicle, which would the Earth staff get around. destruction, further accelerating cli - allow her to drive 25 miles per day on mate change. If given the choice, I electric power, using no gasoline. would buy an electric car because

At Friends of the Earth we try to practice what we preach and our transportation choices are no exception. Adina Matisoff, China Sustainable Finance Campaigner: Hillary Blank, Major Gifts Officer: rides takes public transportation to work and bought San Francisco’s BART (Bay Area Rapid a road bike last winter for going on extreme Transit) or Muni (Municipal adventures around California, including Railway) to and from work. biking from San Francisco to Los Angeles via the scenic Route 1 coastal highway.

Fall 2009 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 5 Making Waves for Climate Justice The Path to Copenhagen and Beyond

By Elizabeth Bast commit to real climate action. What happens in IN DECEMBER, Friends of Washington in the months the Earth staff will join leading up to Copenhagen tens of thousands of gov - will have substantial impli - ernment officials and dele - cations for the success of gates, activists, and busi - the international agree - nesspeople gathering in ment. The United States is Copenhagen, , for responsible for a quarter of the 15th Conference of the the world’s greenhouse gas Parties of the United Nations pollution and therefore must Framework Convention on become a global leader in order . to achieve an effective internation - These global climate talks bring al climate agreement. Both together the nations of the world to Congress, by way of sound climate figure out how to address climate legislation, and the administration, change and its impacts around the the climate negotiation process through its stance in negotiations, globe. While President Obama’s cli - came in December 2007 when lead - must address our pollution here at mate negotiators converge in official ers from around the globe met in home and support climate action in talks at the convention, Friends of Bali, Indonesia, and agreed on a other countries. the Earth staff members Nick framework for the discussions lead - Berning, Kate Horner, Karen ing up to Copenhagen. At that time, Ingredients for a Fair and Orenstein and I will be reporting in a the Bush administration re-affirmed Effective Global Climate variety of ways on what’s happening the principle that rich countries, like Agreement both inside and outside those talks the United States, should reduce Before the world turns its gaze via www.foe.org/copenhagen . If you will their emissions while simultaneous - toward Copenhagen the U.S. needs be in Copenhagen that week, join ly helping poorer nations to pay for to recognize its responsibility to Friends of the Earth International as a transition to clean energy and for both reduce emissions at home and we ‘flood’ the streets with thousands the impacts of climate change; how - also help our global neighbors of people in a call for climate justice ever action did not follow. address the climate crisis. The on December 12! And despite President Obama’s United States, with less than five The Copenhagen negotiations will campaign for change, current con - percent of the world’s population, be a critical step towards achieving a gressional legislation and the has produced more than 25 percent global plan to deal with climate administration’s negotiating team of the world’s greenhouse gas emis - change. The last major milestone of are echoing the same failure to sions since 1990. Yet as the world

6 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Fall 2009 CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS I experiences rising seas, glacial melt - ing, increasingly violent storms, droughts and floods, and conflict arising from resource scarcity, we as the perpetrators of climate destabi - lization will be relatively sheltered from the chaos. Instead it will be the countries, communities and people that are least responsible for the problem that will be most affected by climate change and least able to respond and adapt. For example Prakash Sharma, the Director of Friends of the Earth Nepal, warns that rapid glacial melting in the Himalayas is causing glacial lakes to Friends of the Earth International had a strong presence at the 11th Conference of the Parties of the overflow and could lead to cata - United Nations in Montreal in 2005. strophic floods that wipe out entire villages, threaten rare animals such ly, countries with a greater “climate reliance on fossil fuels and there - as the snow leopard and damage a debt” like the United States would fore reduce emissions; tourist industry that serves as have to make greater emissions • Eliminate offset loopholes as an Nepal’s primary source of income. reductions and pay more to clean option for “reducing” emissions; Friends of the Earth’s unique per - up their climate pollution and • Obligate developed countries to spective is formed by the collabora - finance global energy solutions. A finance and share technology tion of organizations in 77 countries fair climate deal would: with developing countries to tran - uniting for the common good. We • Demand developed countries reduce sition to clean energy, adapt to cli - all agree that a fair climate deal greenhouse gas emissions to at least mate change impacts, and halt would take into account the respon - 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020; deforestation; sibility and capacity of countries to • Transition economies to using • Recognize the right of all people address climate change – essential - clean energy in order to phase out to a healthy climate, particularly

September 20-25 eek in the U.S. International climate w eral Assembly The United Nations Gen n on climate change will hold a special sessio September 24-25, the in New York City, and on rgh. Obama has asked G20 will meet in Pittsbu ort back to the G20 finance ministers to rep ding for climate-related with suggestions on fun Timeline to needs. all over the world in To Do: Join people from mate Justice petition Copenhagen signing the Demand Cli a in advance of the G20 and tell President Obam is leadership. Go to meeting that we need h e.org. www.demandclimatejustic

Fall 2009 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 7 CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS I

that of Indigenous Peoples and markets dominated by the same d n

forest dependent peoples. a Wall Street banks that brought us l l o H the current financial crisis. Michelle n i b o

For a fair and effective internation - R Chan, our Senior International Policy : t i d e al treaty, we need two things: first, r Analyst, testified before Congress c o t a national climate bill that sets a o last spring, warning the House Ways h high standard for U.S. commitment p & Means Committee of the threat to fighting global warming, and Friends of the Earth’s Erich Pica and posed by setting up carbon markets second, 67 senators to vote in favor Greenpeace’s Mary Sweeter on the Bill that allow unrestricted trading of of ratifying the treaty. To achieve Moyers Journal in July talking about the woe - carbon offsets, and beseeching the fully inadequate House climate bill. these goals, we need the American members to keep this in mind as public to be vocal about the impor - they draw up climate policy. tance of our nation’s role in tack - what is needed domestically and The bill also fails to include suffi - ling climate change. globally to address global warming. cient international climate funding Friends of the Earth flew into – money that could begin to finance Shortfalls of Congressional action as soon as the bill was a clean energy transition, repay our Legislation in the U.S. released, unleashing ads denounc - “climate debt” and show leadership In June, the United States House of ing the corporate polluters that were on international finance. Representatives passed Reps. backing the bill and producing It is clear that corporate interests Waxman and Markey’s American videos (available on YouTube) are pulling climate policy in the Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), explaining some of the bill’s bigger wrong direction, and that special a bill intended to spur the nation’s flaws. Because of our stand against interest lobbyists, managed to sub - transition to a clean energy economy the bill, Erich Pica was invited to stantially weaken the House bill. The and reduce global warming pollution. appear with Bill Moyers on his show, bill gives pollution permits worth What should have been a triumph for Bill Moyers Journal . For links to more hundreds of billions away for free to Americans was instead a bill so of our media coverage and analysis, polluting industries, including oil watered down by the congressional visit our website at www.foe.org/global- and coal corporations. In fact, giant lackeys for big oil, dirty coal, corporate warming/we-can-do-better . polluters like Shell Oil, which is agribusiness, and Wall Street lobby - One of the bill’s flaws is that it investing in the most carbon-inten - ists that it falls laughably short of will create giant, volatile carbon sive oil sources, and Duke Energy,

September 21 Age of Stupid film release in New October 24 York City with Kofi ock Party to Annan. The Green the Bl To Do: Go see th Pollution will e movie in your local ckle Poverty and you theater; Ta long with events can find out how to g ashington, DC, a et tickets by going happen in W climate. to www.foe.o all for action on rg. nd the world to c arou , join us ve in the DC area To Do: If you li an Septem can join or create ber 28 – October 350.org/dc)! You 9 (www. ng to Negotiations will c e you live by goi ontinue in Bangkok, action near wher Thailand, under the UN Framework www.350.org. Convention on Climate Change. ovember 4 ctober 29 – N ain, O e in Barcelona, Sp tions will continu Negotia ion on mework Convent under the UN Fra Climate Change.

8 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Fall 2009 CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS I

Friends of the Earth orchestrated a China and : Pieces of the Climate Puzzle sign-on letter directed to senators and As climate talks progress this year, much will be made of the need for we now have more than 300 signers India and China to cut emissions. These nations will likely be blamed for on the letter, asking the Senate to cre - lack of progress and in fact has already accused ate stronger legislation. This is because these countries of “undercutting the drive to build a global consensus.” what Congress decides this fall will Despite all the criticism, China has arguably outpaced the United ultimately determine how the Obama States in addressing its own rising emissions. China has implemented administration will approach the aggressive fuel economy standards, passed a renewable energy standard negotiations in Copenhagen. of 15 percent by 2020, agreed to a 20 percent reduction in national energy intensity by 2010, and approved additional energy efficiency measures. President Obama Must Show The United States continues to be one of the world’s highest per capi - International Leadership ta emitters at 23.5 tons per capita, compared to China’s 5.5 tons per per - At the G-8 meeting this July, son and India’s 1.7 tons per person. 1 Looking at these figures, it is difficult President Obama acknowledged to argue that the United States should not be responding first and that as part of the U.S. response to fastest to the problem of global warming. climate change, “Developed coun - Furthermore, in spite of their size and global presence, China and India tries, like my own, have a historic are still developing countries trying to catch up with the industrialized responsibility to take the lead. We world. They can’t be held to the same standards as the United States when have the much larger carbon foot - large percentages of their populations are still living in abject poverty. print per capita. And I know that in the past the United States has 1 Oxfam Briefing Paper 128. Hang Together or Separately? How global cooperation is key to a fair and adequate climate deal in Copenhagen, p. 9. sometimes fallen short of meeting our responsibilities. So let me be clear: Those days are over.” which is trying to build new coal-fired already flawed model. Any climate Later in his speech the President power plants, helped construct the legislation coming out of Congress announced that G-20 finance min is - blueprint policy the bill is based on. must get out from under the weight ters have been asked to take up cli - The Senate climate debate is of the corporate lobbyists who will mate financing issues and report now heating up, but unfortunately work at all costs to weaken a bill if back at G-20 meeting in senators are starting with an only to boost their own profits. Pittsburgh this September. (continued on page 10)

December 12 Join Friends of the Earth Int 8 ernational December 7-1 in ‘flooding’ the arties will streets in Copenhagen th Conference of the P The 15 with thousands of people in a call for enhagen, Denmark, be held in Cop climate justice. rk Convention nder the UN Framewo u To Do: We will be bringing messages from people n Climate Change. o all over the world demanding climate justice from out our video To Do: Check the decision maker n s gathered in Copenhagen. ging from Copenhage blog Write your own message – why is climate www.foe.org/copenhagen to at justice important to you – and send it to us: y informed on the lat- sta http://www.foei.org/en/what-we-do/affected-peoples/global/ negotia- igners est in the climate International campa 2009/climate- ed) capsule n eye out for Karen Orenstein (pictur tions. Keep a ted and Kate Horner repor us on how onn, e-alerts from via video blogs from B S. an get more Germany, where the U. you c ip failed to show leadersh olved. . inv during the climate talks

Fall 2009 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 9 CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS I (continued from page 9)

What the United States says in But fundamentally, we need to fundamentally alter how we partici - Pittsburgh is key because thus far achieve real shifts in the way we live pate in the global marketplace. the Obama administration’s climate and work. To effectively address cli - The essential shifts in policy need - negotiating team has refused to mate change and reduce poverty, ed to tackle climate destabilization acknowledge its moral and legal we will need stronger local are unlikely to happen this year. But obligations to support climate economies, we will need to shift to the negotiations in Copenhagen will solutions elsewhere. eating more food grown locally, we be a critical step in the process, and will need to travel by clean alterna - we will be there demanding that Moving Towards Copenhagen tives – walking, biking, and public decision makers listen. We need both an international transportation, and we will need to climate agreement and a strong reduce our consumption and national climate policy.

THE DC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK I The DC Environmental Network

NOW IN ITS 14TH YEAR, the DC • Campaigned successfully to create Environmental Network was founded the District Department of the by Friends of the Earth, the Sierra Club Environment and others on the idea that the nation’s • Helped save Kingman and Heritage capital should be a model of sustain - Island Islands in the Anacostia ability for the nation. Composed of a River from foolish development coalition of more than 150 local and and a giveaway of public land national organizations, its achieve - • Stopped the wetland destroying ments run the gamut from fighting air and parkland smashing 6-lane standards for all new developments and water pollution, to fighting global $200 million Barney Circle Freeway built along the Anacostia River warming, to protecting parks from • Stopped the Cadillac Grand Prix • Passed a Renewable Portfolio Ward 8 to Ward 3. The Network has won Race from polluting District neigh - Standard to bring more clean ener - more than 25 campaigns. It has: borhoods along the Anacostia River gy (wind & solar) to the District • Restored curbside recycling for city • Stopped the District government • Helped pass Energy Efficiency residents and EPA officials from legalizing Utility legislation in the District to • Passed the Tree Bill, a law protect - dumping of raw sewage into area fight global warming ing trees with a circumference of rivers and creeks and achieved ini - • Passed legislation to re-route dan - 55 inches or greater tial funding to fix sewage overflow gerous rail cargo out of the • Stopped a $300 million parking problem District. Helped inspire national garage that would have promoted • Helped pass legislation to protect re-routing legislation driving in the city the Anacostia River by curbing the • Ended coal burning at the • Saved parkland at picturesque Oxen use of plastic bags by attaching a Congressional Power Plant in Cove in Ward 8 by blocking a prison small fee to their use Washington, DC from being built along the shore • Passed a Clean Air Act Compliance • Passed Clean Cars legislation to • Stopped a road from being built in Fee to deter driving into District bring California standards to the Klingle Valley adjacent to Rock • Helped pass cutting edge environ - District Creek Park mental, housing and jobs creation

10 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Fall 2009 MOVIE REVIEW: SPECIAL EDITION I Friends of the Earth: Not Stupid

By Rebecca Connors for resources and other ways that liv - ing chained to fossil fuels has dam - A few of us had the opportunity recently aged our livelihoods. to watch a sneak preview of the new The archivist becomes our call to film Age of Stupid . This movie is an enor - action, as he hauntingly asks, “We could mously ambitious drama-documentary- have saved ourselves, but we didn’t. It’s animation hybrid that stars Oscar-nom - amazing. What state of mind were we inated as an old man in, to face extinction and simply shrug living in the devastated world of 2050. it off?” He spends his days watching “archive” On September 21st Friends of the footage from 2008 and asking: why Earth attended the New York eco-pre - Oscar nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite inter - didn’t we stop climate change while we acting with the futuristic interface designed miere of the film, where a solar-pow - had the chance? specifically for the film by designer Taiyo Nagano. ered movie tent in Central Park The film weaves together six different housed celebrities, filmmakers and stories from six different people from six environmental activists. For informa - different regions in the world. Through that small actions do make a difference. tion on how and where you can see their narratives, we come to see how These narratives are interspersed the film and to learn more, go to big the problems are that we face, but with striking animations describing www.ageofstupid.net. the movie also delivers amazing proof comparative historical emissions, wars

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS I

Celebrate – 40 Years of Environmental Leadership Honor – Dr. Brent Blackwelder, Retiring President of Friends of the Earth Meet – Friends of the Earth’s New President

AFTER NEARLY FORTY YEARS working When: Thursday, October 1st • 6:30-9:30pm • Cocktail Reception with Friends of the Earth, Dr. Brent Where: House of Sweden • 2900 K Street NW • Washington, DC 20007 Blackwelder will be retiring during the coming year. Brent’s vision and ability to see emerging opportunities have inspired unique campaigns that have stopped attempts to destroy our rivers, oceans, mountains, air, wildlife and cli - mate. Join us as we celebrate his environ - mental achievements and introduce the Presenting Sponsors - Louise Dunlap & Joe Browder, Dan & Bunny Gabel new President of Friends of the Earth. Supporting Sponsors - The Summit Fund Proceeds from the event will help of Washington support our work. Event Sponsors - Jayni & Chevy Chase Sponsors - David E. Bonior, Paul & Ellen For more information on sponsoring Hoff, Rick Morgan & Arlene Rodenbeck, the event or purchasing tickets, please visit Marcia Rodgers & Garrett Loube, Ann www.foe.org/forty-years or contact Stephanie House of Sweden is the crown jewel of the Roosevelt, Jane & Daniel Solomon, The Swedish presence in the U.S., nestled Woodbury Fund, Tina Weaver, CBRE Lozano at 866-217-8499 ext. 212 or email between Rock Creek and the Potomac River Media Sponsors - Washington Life Magazine [email protected] . Tickets are $125 each. in historic Georgetown.

Fall 2009 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 11 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WASHINGTON, DC AND ADDITIONAL Fall 2009 | Volume 39, Number 3 MAILING OFFICES

1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036-2008

Friends of the Earth (ISSN: 1054-1829) is published quarterly by Friends of the Earth, 1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-2008, phone 202-783-7400, fax 202-783-0444, e-mail: [email protected] , website: www.foe.org . Annual membership dues are $25, which include a subscription to Friends of the Earth . The words “Friends of the Earth” and the FoE logo are exclusive trademarks of Friends of the Earth, all rights reserved. Requests to reprint articles should be submitted to Lisa Matthes at [email protected] . Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC.

Our Mission: Friends of the Earth defends the environment and champions a healthy and just world. Board of Directors Publications Staff Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Michael Herz, Chair; Harriett Crosby, Vice Chair; Lisa Matthes, Editor Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, , Nigeria, Clarence Ditlow, Secretary; David Zwick, Treasurer; Design by JML Design Norway, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Jayni Chase; Marion Edey; Dan Gabel; Jeffrey Glueck; Philippines, Poland, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Douglas Legum; Russell Long; Patricia Matthews; Consultants/Advisors Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Avis Ogilvy Moore; Arlie Schardt; Doria Steedman; Rick Robert Alvarez Switzerland, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Taketa; Peyton West. Bart Bruil Ukraine, United States, Uruguay. Jim Corbett Staff Fred Felleman Affiliates Brent Blackwelder, President Jen Holzer Africa: Earthlife Africa; : Mineral Policy Institute; Elizabeth Bast, International Program Director John W. Jensen Australia: Rainforest Information Centre; Brazil: Amigos da Nick Berning, Director of Public Advocacy and Media Boshen Jia Terra Amazonia - Amazônia Brasileira; Brazil: Grupo de Relations Dorothee Krahn Trabalho Amazonico; Canada: Blue Planet Project; Czech Hillary Blank, Major Gifts Officer Fred Millar Republic: CEE Bankwatch; Japan: Peace Boat; Middle East: Michelle Chan, Senior International Policy Analyst Andrianna Natsoulas Friends of the Earth Middle East; Netherlands: Action for Hugh Cheatham, Chief Financial Officer Shems Dunkiel Kassel & Saunders PLLC Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Development Tom Clements, Southeastern Nuclear Campaign Coordinator Elinor Tao Europe; Netherlands: Stichting De Noordzee (North Sea Rebecca Connors, Internet Outreach Manager Cori Traub Foundation); Netherlands: Corporate Europe Observatory; Michael Despines, Climate Resilience Campaign David Weinman Netherlands: WISE Europe; United States: Corpwatch; Coordinator James Winebrake United States: International Rivers Network; United States: Will Driscoll, Director of Foundation Relations Yang Yang Rainforest Action Network Danielle Fugere, Regional Program Director David Hirsch, Program & Operations Director Member Groups Kate Horner, International Climate & Energy Campaigner Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Ian Illuminato, Health & Environmental Campaigner Belgium (Flanders), Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, John Kaltenstein, Marine Program Associate Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Friends of the Earth is printed with soy ink Marcie Keever, Clean Vessels Campaign Director Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech on 100% recycled paper, 100% post-consumer Neesha Kulkarni, Legislative Associate Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, England- content. Bleached without chlorine. Stephanie Lozano, Development Associate Wales, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Finland, Adina Matisoff, China Sustainable Finance Campaigner Friends of France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Lisa Matthes, Publications Manager; Executive Assistant to the Earth Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, the President International Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Kate McMahon, Energy & Transportation Policy Campaigner Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Karen Orenstein, International Finance Campaign Coordinator Erich Pica, Director of Domestic Programs Dan Riedel, Manager of Information Technology Earth Share giving campaigns allow you to designate a donation to Friends of the Sara Schedler, Plug-in Hybrid Campaign Associate Benjamin Schreiber, Climate and Energy Tax Analyst Earth. Federal employees can donate through the Combined Federal Campaign by Peter Stocker, Donor Services Manager marking #12067 on their pledge forms. To set up an Earth Share campaign at your Chris Weiss, Director of D.C. Environmental Network workplace, contact Peter Stocker at 866-217-8499, ext. 216 or [email protected] . Candice Wills, Accountant

A copy of the latest Financial Report and Registration filed by this organization may be obtained by contacting us at Friends of the Earth, 1717 Massachusetts Ave. NW Suite 600, Washington DC 20036-2008. Toll-free number: 877-843-8687. Or, for residents of the following states, by contacting any of the state agencies: CALIFORNIA – A copy of the Official Financial Statement may be obtained from the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts, Department of Justice, P.O. Box 903447, Sacramento, CA 94203-4470 or by calling 916-445-2021. FLORIDA - A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVI - SION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida registra - tion # CH960. KANSAS Annual financial report is filed with Secretary of State #258-204-7. MARYLAND For the cost of copies and postage: Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. MICHIGAN MICS 10926. MISSISSIPPI – The official registration and financial information of Friends of the Earth, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement by the Secretary of State. NEW JERSEY INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTOR - NEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. NEW YORK Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. NORTH CAROLINA FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH AT 1-888-830-4989. THE LICENSE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE. PENNSYLVANIA – The official registration and financial information of Friends of the Earth may be obtained from Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within the state 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. UTAH – Permit #C495. VIRGINIA State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218; 1-800-552-9963. WASHINGTON - Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of the State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422; 1-800-332-4483. WEST VIRGINIA West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.