Thirty Years of Creative Resistance - Friends of the Earth Australia

Over thirty years, FoE has
developed and held firm to
some core philosophies and
approaches, to the endearment
of many and the frustration of a
few (notably government). These
have provided the foundations
for FoE’s grass roots community
based activism and continue to
guide our work today.
From its creation, FoE in Australia
identified itself as a radical ecology group
that recognised the need to move to
sustainable and equitable social systems
to be able to protect the environment in
the long term. This meant that from its
beginnings, FoE placed considerable
effort on achieving this change rather than
simply lobbying existing governments.
In an article from Chain Reaction #24,
Occupying federal government offices in
Melbourne, after the announcement of new woodchipping
licenses, late 1994
...................................................................................................................................................................................................
1981 Environment and the Economy,
Anne Carson and Mark Carter outlined
their vision of FoE and its place in the
movement:
FoE has developed a broad analysis
of environmental issues which
is reflected in our research and
campaign work.
The alternative we seek to implement
is a sustainable society. This
involves a reliance on the use of
renewable resources which are
equitably distributed. It involves
the recognition that there is an
inextricable link between people and
the environment.
FoE recognises that organised
resistance and action are necessary
catalysts for economic and social
change. Such action is essential
if we are to achieve a sustainable
society based on the equitable
distribution of resources and power
and recognition of the rights of all
people.
To achieve the ends, Friends of
the Earth is committed to a set of
principals which guide our activities.
These include:
To recognise sexism by adopting
a positive employment policy that
guarantees at least 55% of positions
are filled by women and, further, that
these positions include those of a
decision-making nature.
To remain non-partisan so that we
will not be identifiable with any
particular political party and can
work to influence all political parties.
To encourage the autonomy of local
groups so that they themselves
can establish appropriate local
campaigns, what positions they will
take on the issues and how they will
fight them.
FoE 30 Years 2