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Friends of the Earth's 25th - 5th May 1996
3 April 1996
Friends of the Earth [1] is 25 years old on Sunday 5 May 1996. Since its establisment in in the UK in 1971, it has grown into one of the country's most effective and influential environmental pressure groups.
Friends of the Eath's first action was on the 9 May 1971 when thousands of non-returnable' bottles were returned to the doorstep of Schweppes'.Since then the organisation has grown and has campaigned on a wider range of issues than any other group in the UK.
25 years of high-profile campaigning have brought many notable victories,from bans on imported whale products, to saved rainforest and a phase-out of CFCs in aerosols (see attached briefing).
As environmental concern has moved from the margins to the mainstream, Friends of the Earth's campaigning style has evolved. Early drives to highlight environmental problems have been succeeded by proposals for change which promise sustainable jobs and wealth as well a healthy planet.
For further information about FOE and its anniversary, we can supply:
historical details about the organisation, including photographs
interviews with past members of staff (including founder members) and long-serving activists
details of our anniversary events (see attached briefing)
ENDS
[1] Friends of the Earth was started by David Brower in the US in 1969.Its British wing was founded on 5th May, 1971. Friends of the Earth is now the world's largest international network of environmental groups with branches in over 50 countries.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
