Environmental Grants Program Supports Friends Of The Earth

Patagonia supports the environment by committing 1% of sales or 10% of pre-tax profits (whichever is more). We give at the grassroots level to innovative groups overlooked or rejected by other corporate donors. We fund activists who take radical and strategic steps to protect habitat, wilderness and biodiversity. Our most recent grant went out to the Melbourne sector of Friends Of The Earth. Our contribution will help their fight aganist the local coal industry and their ongoing campaign Yes 2 Renewables.

Friends of the Earth Melbourne believes that social and environmental issues cannot be separated from each other. As a result, FoE is a social and environmental justice organisation. It seeks to work towards a sustainable and equitable future and seeks to work in a way that empowers individuals and communities.Friends Of The Earth campaigns from the local to global level: it is part of the Friends Of The Earth Australia network, which currently includes 12 groups around the country.

A note from Cam Walker of Friends Of The Earth.

Coal seam gas (CSG) is a growing concern to many in Australia. Impacts on groundwater, potential contamination from chemicals, loss of farmland and major greenhouse gas emissions are all driving communities to become active to stop the spread of this industry.

While the CSG industry is strongest in Queensland, it is moving south into New South Wales and Victoria. Friends of the Earth (FoE) is working to build a shared and ‘big picture’ opposition to this development. We point out that many communities face a choice between renewable energy sources or fossil fuel projects and promote the uptake of renewable energy.

Over the past year, we have worked with local communities to convince several mining companies to surrender 6 exploration permits to look for CSG. We have recently launched a moratorium campaign, which is seeking a ban on all new fossil fuel operations, including further exploration, until it’s scientifically proven to be safe for communities, food production and water, and our natural ecosystems. It has been supported by more than 50 organisations to date as well as several state and federal MPs and a growing number of local Councils.

We are working to mobilise farming groups and industry bodies concerned about maintaining good water supplies and agricultural areas.

We have a good chance of stopping the spread of new coal mining and the development of CSG and other un-conventional gas operations (including Tight Gas and Shale Gas) in Victoria. We greatly appreciate the support of Patagonia for this grassroots community mobilisation campaign.

Find more details or to show your support on the moratorium campaign or our Yes 2 Renewables campaign here.

For more information on Patagonia’s Environmental Grants Program or to find out how to apply for your own grant click here.

Background Photo: by Mike Tittel