Category Archives: 2010 Media releases

2010 Media releases | Climate and energy | Environmental justice |

‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ awarded to FoEI Chair Nnimmo Bassey

Friends of the Earth International

September 30, 2010

STOCKHOLM (SWEDEN) / LAGOS (NIGERIA), September 30, 2010 — Friends of the Earth International, the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental organisations, is proud to announce that its chair, Nnimmo Bassey from Nigeria,1 will be a recipient of the 2010 ‘Right Livelihood Award.’ 2

The Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ will be delivered in Stockholm on December 6.

The announcement that Nnimmo Bassey is one of the four 2010 Laureates was made today at a press conference at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm.

Nnimmo Bassey, who is also Executive Director of Friends of the Earth Nigeria, was nominated “for revealing the full ecological and human horrors of oil production and for his inspired work to strengthen the environmental movement in Nigeria and globally.”

Nnimmo Bassey, who is currently in Africa, said: “This award is a vindication of the just and resolute struggles for environmental justice by impacted communities globally. We want to see an end to the corporate crimes committed by oil giants like Shell in Nigeria and around the world.”

“Friends of the Earth and four Nigerian farmers recently filed a groundbreaking court case against Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell in the Netherlands for its massive oil pollution in Nigeria and we look forward to the first hearing which will take place in the coming months,” he added.

Nnimmo Bassey is one of Africa’s leading advocates and campaigners for the environment and human rights. Bassey has tirelessly stood up against the practices of multinational corporations and the environmental devastation they leave behind, destroying the lives and trampling on the rights of local people.

For more information

Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth International chair, Tel: +234 80 37 27 43 95 (Nigerian mobile number) or email nnimmo [at] eraction.org

Niccolo Sarno, Friends of the Earth International media coordinator, Tel: +31-20-622 13 69 or +31 6 51 00 56 30 (Dutch mobile number valid September 30 and October 1 only) or email media [at] foei.org

Birgit Jaeckel, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Tel: + 46 8 70 20 339 (Swedish office number) or +49 170 24 49 348 (German mobile number) or email press [at] rightlivelihood.org

Notes to editors

1 The following items are available from:
http://www.foei.org/en/media/photos/nnimmo-bassey-photos/

  • Nnimmo Bassey’s biography
  • A selection of high-resolution, free to use photo portraits of Nnimmo Bassey
  • A selection of high-resolution, free to use images of oil pollution in Nigeria

2 For more information about the ‘Right Livelihood Award’ please visit: http://www.rightlivelihood.org/

2010 Media releases | Climate and energy |

CEO’s statement in response to SCC’s decision on climate lawsuit

Statement by Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth Canada

March 25, 2010

Friends of the Earth is disappointed by the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to decline to hear our application to hold the federal government accountable for its lack of action in implementing the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act which was duly passed by Parliament in June 2007.

Let me remind all concerned Canadians that this important Act was passed by the three opposition parties, the Liberals, the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois and by the Senate to become the law of the land. It was an important signal that Parliament can work even under a minority rule. The government’s decision to ignore this law makes a mockery of our democracy.

Despite the verbiage on “made in Canada” climate plans, there is no Canadian plan for climate protection. There are no Canadian regulations. In fact, there never were instructions to take regulatory actions as required by this Act of Parliament. There was no effort to do the best Canada can for climate protection; rather, we see the government calculate how little it can do including occasional photo ops at global meetings.

If you are as outraged as I am at this state of affairs, please join me in calling for joint action by the three opposition parties. The courts have stated that they are ill-suited to address implementation of the Act and that it is Parliament’s responsibility to ensure the act is implemented. Following this disappointing decision of the Supreme Court, Friends of the Earth is finalizing its action plan and will present it next week. Email me directly to get the plan at Beatrice [at] foecanada.org

2010 Media releases | Water |

World Water Day Celebration — Be True to Blue

For immediate release

March 18, 2010

Launch of “Be True to Blue” at Manitou Opera House

Manitou, Manitoba / Ottawa — In celebration of World Water Day, Friends of the Earth is launching its new water awareness project, “Be True To Blue” in Manitou, Manitoba in cooperation with the Pembina Valley Conservation District and the Manitoba Department of Water Stewardship. The launch takes place at Manitou Opera House on March 18 at 7:30 pm.

“Be True To Blue” is supported by RBC’s Blue Water Project and will be delivered over two weeks in over 14 schools and through the RBC branch offices in Manitou, Morden, Winkler, Crystal City and Somerset. The project was developed to engage the public in Friends of the Earth’s “Water Soft Paths,” developing innovative options for water management for the Conservation District and its members.

“We can no longer assume that there will always be more water to tap or no limit to the amount of waste water we can dump into rivers and streams and the ocean,” said Dr. David Brooks, Senior Advisor on Fresh Water, Friends of the Earth Canada. “Canadians must change the way we use water. Fortunately, citizens in the Pembina Valley Conservation District already demonstrate great care in their water use. It is, therefore, exciting to work with them to assess opportunities and challenges for their future water use.”

“Water is our most precious natural resource, and we know that industry, government, business and individuals can all play a part in watershed protection,” said Terry Burgess, RBC Regional Vice President Manitoba West. “We are thrilled to be helping Friends of the Earth contribute to a culture of water stewardship here in the Pembina Valley community.”

“PVCD is already working hard at the grassroots to protect and enhance water sources and quality as you can see from our new draft watershed plan,” said Murray Seymour, Chairman, Pembina Valley Conservation District. “The partnership with Friends of the Earth provides an opportunity to consider new tools for the next stage in our efforts to improve the health of our watershed and the prosperity of our citizens.”

“Friends of the Earth is proud to receive the support of the Royal Bank Blue Water Fund,” said Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth Canada. “This is an ideal situation for RBC’s leadership funds to support an unique national, provincial and grassroots collaboration assessing new approaches for managing fresh water. We’re proud to work with grassroots innovators in the Pembina Valley Conservation District and Manitoba Water Stewardship, the first such provincial department in Canada.”

“Manitoba Water Stewardship is very pleased to work in partnership with Friends of the Earth and the Pembina Valley Conservation District to build Manitoba’s expertise in water conservation approaches such as Water Soft Paths,” said Rhonda McDougal, Director of Planning and Coordination for Manitoba Water Stewardship.

For more information, please contact:

Cliff Greenfield, Manager, Pembina Valley Conservation District (204) 242-3267

Liz Redston, RBC Manager Public Affairs and Communications (204) 988-3516

Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth (613) 724-8690 (cell)

About Friends of the Earth — a charitable, non-profit organization that serves as a national voice for the environment working with others to inspire the renewal of our communities and the earth through research, advocacy and education. www.foecanada.org

About Pembina Valley Conservation District (PVCD) Manitoba — supports local landowners with technical and financial assistance to participate in locally identified soil and water conservation programmes. www.pvcd.ca

About RBC’s Blue Water Project — The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to support organizations that are committed to watershed protection and providing access to clean drinking water. Applications for the “Community Action Grant” component of the Project are now welcome. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. RBC Blue Water Project has granted Friends of the Earth Canada $100,000 to conduct its work with the Pembina Valley Conservation District in Manitoba. http://www.rbc.com/donations/blue-water.html

2010 Media releases | Water |

Media advisory — World Water Day Celebration

Be True to Blue. Protect Canada's precious water. Are you doing all you can to be true to blue?To celebrate World Water Day, Friends of the Earth and the Pembina Valley Conservation District (PVCD) will launch a new water outreach program, “Be True To Blue,” with the support of Manitoba Water Stewardship and RBC’s Blue Water Project and participation from RBC branches in Manitou, Morden, Winkler, Crystal City and Somerset.

The public is invited to the free kick off event including guest speaker, Dr. David Brooks, and entertainment and refreshments.

RBC Blue Water Fund will make a presentation to Friends of the Earth in support of the water program in PVCD.

WHEN: Thursday, March 18, starting at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Manitou Opera House, Manitou, Manitoba

For further details, please contact:

Cliff Greenfield, Manager, Pembina Valley Conservation District 204-242-3267

Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth 613-724-8690 (cell)

Liz Redston, RBC Manager Public Affairs & Communications 204-988-3516

About Friends of the Earth — a charitable, non-profit organization that serves as a national voice for the environment working with others to inspire the renewal of our communities and the earth through research, advocacy and education. www.foecanada.org

About Pembina Valley Conservation District (PVCD) Manitoba — supports local landowners with technical and financial assistance to participate in locally identified soil and water conservation programmes. www.pvcd.ca

About RBC’s Blue Water Project — The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to support organizations that are committed to watershed protection and providing access to clean drinking water. Applications for the “Community Action Grant” component of the Project are now welcome. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. RBC Blue Water Project has granted Friends of the Earth Canada $100,000 to conduct its work with the Pembina Valley Conservation District in Manitoba. http://www.rbc.com/donations/blue-water.html