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www.foe.org | Volume 38, Number 2 | Summer 2008 N E W S M A G A Z I N E

The Dirty TruthComing Clean on Cruise Ships

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER call tomind relaxing times with friendsand family. In this issue Friends ofthe Earth offers you ideas for howyou and yours can stay safe whileenjoying the season.

Just in time for vacation season,our cover story explains the environ-mental and health dangers ofglossy, cruise ship holidays andupdates you on what we’re doing tostop this industry from harmingbeach goers and marine life alike.Under current law cruise ships arelegally allowed to dump all sorts ofhorrendous waste directly into theocean without ever treating it tomake it safer for the environment.

Edward Abbey, the irreverentauthor of Desert Solitaire, encour-aged environmentalists to takesome time off, have fun, and smellthe flowers, saying that if we did wewould outlive the polluters and pre-vail. In the spirit of Abbey, our staffhas prepared a list of inspirationalbooks to assist you with summervacation reading. Our staff hasreviewed their favorite books, fromscience fiction stories like Next thateerily foretell the dangers of geneticengineering to the newest book byMichael Pollan that asks readers toemulate the relationship our grand-parents had with food. The Libraryof America has just published anoutstanding overview of greatAmerican writing on the environ-ment. The 900-page volumeAmerican Earth: EnvironmentalWriting since Thoreau, edited by BillMcKibben, is a treasure trove ofrefreshing ideas and inspiration.

Even though summer is a time ofrelaxation, we aren’t sitting backwhile the world wastes away.Friends of the Earth has been carry-ing out a number of campaigns toprotect public health – preventingnano particles from entering thefood and consumer product mar-kets without proper safety testing,pushing for a moratorium on riskysynthetic biology, and most recently,releasing a report exposing the out-rageous risks imposed on infantsand small children when theyabsorb carcinogenic fire retardantsin strollers, car seats, portable cribs and similar products. Thereport, called Killer Cribs, can be found on our website atwww.foe.org/pdf/Killer_Cribs_Report.pdf

Summers in DC are getting hot-ter every year, yet while policy mak-ers here at home struggle to createsound climate change policy, in theUK – thanks to the campaigning of

our member organization Friends ofthe Earth England, Wales &Northern Ireland (EWNI) – morethan 400 Members of Parliamenthave agreed to tackle global warm-ing. You’ll find more on Friends ofthe Earth EWNI’s “Big Ask” later inthis issue.

As Congress continues to exam-ine ways to fight global warming weinclude here a run down of the sortof carbon financing vocabulary thatany climate legislation is bound toinclude – and whether they arelong-term solutions or just anotherexample of industry give-aways.

Please remember that as we getcloser to November elections it isimportant to elect pro-environmentcandidates at every level—local,state, and national. With your helpour dreams for a clean and healthyfuture will be realized.

P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O L U M N �

A Clean & Healthy Future

Brent speaks at Earth Day on the National Mall.

2 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Summer 2008

Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 3

C O N T E N T S �

Friends of the Earth (ISSN: 1054-1829) is published quarterly by Friends of the Earth, 1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite600, Washington, DC 20036-2008, phone 202-783-7400, fax 202-783-0444, e-mail: foe@foe.org, website: www.foe.org.Annual membership dues are $25, which include a subscription to Friends of the Earth. The words “Friends of theEarth” and the FoE logo are exclusive trademarks of Friends of the Earth, all rights reserved. Requests to reprint articlesshould be submitted to Lisa Matthes at lmatthes@foe.org. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC.

Our Mission: Friends of the Earth defends the environment and champions a healthy and just world.

Board of DirectorsMichael Herz, Chair; Harriett Crosby, Vice Chair;Clarence Ditlow, Secretary; David Zwick, Treasurer;Whitey Bluestein; Jayni Chase; Marion Edey; DanGabel; Jeffrey Glueck; Marika Holmgren; DouglasLegum; Russell Long; Garrett Loube; PatriciaMatthews; Avis Ogilvy Moore; Charles Moore; ArlieSchardt; Doria Steedman; Rick Taketa; Peyton West.

StaffBrent Blackwelder, PresidentElizabeth Bast, International Program DirectorNick Berning, Press SecretaryHillary Blank, Major Gifts OfficerMichelle Chan, Senior International Policy AnalystHugh Cheatham, Chief Financial OfficerRebecca Connors, Web OrganizerWill Driscoll, Director of Foundation RelationsDanielle Fugere, Regional Program DirectorJosh Hilgart, Field DirectorDavid Hirsch, Program DirectorShawnee Hoover, Legislative DirectorKate Horner, International Climate & Energy

CampaignerIan Illuminato, Health & Environmental CampaignerJohn Kaltenstein, Marine Program AssociateMarcie Keever, Marine Campaign DirectorNeesha Kulkarni, Legislative AssociateStephanie Lozano, Development AssociateGillian Madill, Genetic Technologies Campaigner Marsha Mather-Thrift, Director of Development &

West Coast OperationsAdina Matisoff, China Sustainable Finance CampaignerLisa Matthes, Publications Manager; Executive

Asstistant to the PresidentKate McMahon, Energy & Transportation Policy

CampaignerKaren Orenstein, Extractive Industries Campaign

CoordinatorColin Peppard, Transportation Policy CoordinatorErich Pica, Director of Economic ProgramsDan Riedel, Manager of Information TechnologySara Schedler, Safe Kids Campaign AssociateCarla Simril, Receptionist & Office AssistantPeter Stocker, Donor Services Manager

Chris Weiss, Director of D.C. Environmental NetworkCandice Wills, Accountant

Publications StaffLisa Matthes, EditorDesign by JML Design

Consultants/AdvisorsRobert AlvarezBart BruilTom ClementsJim CorbettFred FellemanFenton CommunicationsJen HolzerJohn W. JensenBoshen JiaDorothee KrahnFred MillarAndrianna NatsoulasShems Dunkiel Kassel & Saunders PLLCElinor TaoCori TraubDavid WeinmanJames Winebrake Yang Yang

Member GroupsArgentina, Australia, Austria,Bangladesh, Belgium, Belgium(Flanders), Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria,Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia,Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus,Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador,England-Wales, Northern Ireland,Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia,

Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti,Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan,Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia,Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, NewZealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Papua NewGuinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Scotland,Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea,Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland,Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay.

AffiliatesAfrica: Earthlife Africa; Australia: Mineral PolicyInstitute; Australia: Rainforest Information Centre;Brazil: Amigos da Terra Amazonia - AmazôniaBrasileira; Brazil: Grupo de Trabalho Amazonico;Canada: Blue Planet Project; Czech Republic: CEEBankwatch; Japan: Peace Boat; Middle East: Friends ofthe Earth Middle East; Netherlands: Action forSolidarity, Equality, Environment and DevelopmentEurope; Netherlands: Stichting De Noordzee (NorthSea Foundation); Netherlands: Corporate EuropeObservatory; Netherlands: WISE Europe; UnitedStates: Corpwatch; United States: International RiversNetwork; United States: Rainforest Action Network

Friends of the Earth is printed with soy ink on 100% recycled paper, 30% post-consumer content. Bleached without chlorine.

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www.foe.org

Volume 38, Number 2

Summer 2008

FRIENDS EARTHOF T

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N E W S M A G A Z I N E

The Dirty Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

EcoBites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Jim Kuhns: Global Steward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Friends of the Earth EWNI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

We Had a Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Carbon Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Thinking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Earth Share giving campaigns allow you to designate a donation toFriends of the Earth. Federal employees can donate through theCombined Federal Campaign by marking #12067 on their pledgeforms. To set up an Earth Share campaign at your workplace, contactPeter Stocker at 866-217-8499, ext. 16 or pstocker@foe.org.

4 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Summer 2008

The Dirty TruthComing Clean

By Neesha Kulkarni

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SUMMER,many people look forward to timeaway from school, work, and theresponsibilities of everyday life. As avacation choice, cruises have grownincreasingly popular over the pasttwo decades, making the industryone of the world’s fastest growingtourism sectors. Last year more than9 million passengers took cruises onthe seventeen largest cruise lines.

Cruise ships offer passengers thechance to visit new and exciting des-tinations and view pristine coastalhabitats and marine and animal life

with little effort. When not in portor on deck watching the passingscenery, passengers can while awaythe hours engaged in any number ofactivities, including swimming andmini-golf or they can refuel withfood after an afternoon of fun. Anaverage ship has multiple diningrooms serving a plethora of cuisines,sometimes lavishly adorned withfruit carved into flowers and accom-panied by elaborate deserts and icesculptures. Food is available on acruise ship 24 hours a day, sevendays a week. It’s been estimated

that a large cruise ship goes through12,000 pounds of beef, 7,500 poundsof seafood, 10,000 pounds of freshfruit, 48,000 eggs, and 500 gallonsof ice cream per week.

What Goes In Must Come Out

The down and dirty truth is thatafter consumption, this food andwaste has to go somewhere. Athome, what you flush down the toi-let is sent to a municipal treatmentplant before it can be dischargedinto a water body. However, what

most people don’tknow is that whatyou flush down thetoilet in your cruiseship stateroom canbe dumped untreat-

ed into the ocean to float with thefish. The dumping of sewage intocoastal and ocean waters has signifi-cant implications.

The contaminants in humanwaste and wastewater – known asblackwater or sewage – pose a risk topublic health not only through thefood supply, as fisheries and shellfishbeds can be contaminated, but alsothrough direct contamination ofwater ingested by surfers, beachgo-ers, and water-sport enthusiasts. Inaddition, blackwater contains nitro-gen and phosphorus that promote

excessive algal growth, which in turnconsumes oxygen in the water andcan lead to fish kills and the destruc-tion of other aquatic life, includingcoral. Algal blooms have been impli-cated in the deaths of more than 150manatees off the coast of Florida.

In spite of the potential harm, acruise ship (which often carries asmany passengers as there are peoplein a small town) can legally dumphuman waste directly into the wateras long as it is at least three milesfrom shore. Within three miles ofshore, cruise ships are allowed to dis-charge sewage treated by a MarineSanitation Device (MSD). However,the EPA’s MSD regulations governingsewage discharges from ships havenot been revised since 1976. Moreimportantly, EPA does not requiretesting or monitoring of sewage dis-charges, so even if an MSD malfunc-tions or a ship discharges rawsewage without using an MSD with-in three miles of shore, there is noway of knowing whether a violationhas occurred. Recently, in response toa new cruise ship law in Alaska, somecruise ships traveling to Alaska havestarted using Advanced Waste WaterTreatment Systems. While thesetreatment systems are more effectivethan MSDs they do not eliminatemetals which can bioaccumulate in

Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 5

Type of Pollution The Source What’s In It

Blackwater Human waste and wastewater from toiletsand medical facilities.

Bacteria, pathogens, disease, viruses, intestinalparasites, pharmaceuticals, nutrients (i.e. nitro-gen and phosphorous).

Graywater Wastewater from sinks, showers, galleys, laun-dry, and cleaning activities aboard a ship.

Fecal coliform bacteria, detergents, oil andgrease, metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, nutri-ents, food waste, and medical and dental waste.

Oily Bilge Water Oil mixing with water in the hull of a ship thattypically houses engines and machinery.

Oil and oil byproducts.

Hazardous Waste Dry-cleaning, photo processing, and equip-ment cleaning, including medical waste, bat-teries, paints and paint thinner and discardedand expired chemicals, and fluorescent lights.

Fluorescent and mercury vapor, heavy metals,solvents, and unused or outdated pharmaceu-ticals.

(continued on page 6)

on Cruise Ships

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C O V E R S T O R Y �

the food supply. They also producelarger quantities of sewage sludge –a concentrated waste left over afterthe sewage treatment process.Sludge, like sewage, can be dumpedjust three miles from shore.

In 2006, more than 25,000 days ofclosings and advisories at ocean, bayand Great Lakes beaches occurred,most due to the presence of bacteriaassociated with fecal contamination.Two popular cruise ship destinations,Jamaica and Florida, are prime exam-ples of how dumping waste into ouroceans causes extreme harm tomarine biodiversity. In 2002, onlyfive percent of the coral reefs aroundJamaica supported living coral com-pared with 60 percent 10 years earli-er. In 2002, about 90 percent ofFlorida’s coral reefs were believed tobe dead or dying. Although cruiseships are not the only cause of thisdevastation, they are one source ofharm that can and should be con-trolled. It is imperative that we pro-tect our ocean resources and thepublic health from this pollution.

In addition to sewage, cruise shipsalso produce and discharge a numberof other polluting substances.

Graywater: “Graywater” is the namegiven to wastewater from sinks,baths, showers, laundry and galleys.Graywater is typically the largestsource of liquid waste generated bycruise ships. While it might seem likethis wastewater would be less pol-

luting than blackwater, EPA’s recentlyreleased Draft Cruise Ship DischargeAssessment Report (released as aresult of a Friends of the Earth law-suit) revealed that graywater cancontain levels of fecal coliform bacte-ria higher than those found inuntreated domestic wastewater. Asa result, graywater poses many ofthe same public health and environ-mental risks as sewage. However,unlike the three-mile requirementfor disposing of untreated blackwa-ter, under federal law, untreatedgraywater can legally be dischargedanywhere except the Great Lakes,including while a ship is docked inport near towns and beaches.

Oily Bilge Water: The bilge is thelowest part of the hull of a ship andtypically houses engines andmachinery. Oil often leaks fromengines and machinery into thebilge during operation and the per-formance of routine maintenanceactivities. These bilge spaces areperiodically flushed with water andpumped dry. Before the bilge can becleared and the water discharged,federal regulations require thataccumulated oil be extracted. Theextracted oil can then be reused,incinerated, and/or off-loaded inport. Unfortunately, cruise shipshave not always been very compliantwith the regulations governing oildischarges. In a 2000 report, the U.S.General Accounting Office found

that from 1993 to 1998 alone, cruiseships were involved in 87 confirmedcases of illegal discharges of oil,garbage, and hazardous wastes intoU.S. waters – and these are only theconfirmed cases. Even small concen-trations of oil can kill or chronicallydisable fish. In humans, oil andbyproducts from the biologicalbreakdown of petroleum productscan pose health threats if ingested.

Hazardous Waste: Cruise ships offermany of the same amenities that canbe found on dry land – including drycleaning and photo processing.Unfortunately these services producethe same hazardous waste byprod-ucts as their land-based counter-parts. Although cruise ships do notgenerate large quantities of haz-ardous waste, the waste they do gen-erate can cause harm to sensitivemarine life and needs to be carefullymanaged so that it doesn’t find itsway into bilge water, graywater, orthe solid waste stream. Additionally,hazardous waste tracking measuresdo not apply when cruise ships off-load waste at international ports,opening up a large loophole throughwhich hazardous waste can be lost.

Friends of the EarthWorks to Clean Up CruiseShip PollutionFriends of the Earth is fighting on boththe local and national level to put thebrakes on cruise ship pollution.

In 2000, concerned with increas-ing levels of pollution from the evergrowing cruise industry and a seriesof incidents in which cruise linesadmitted to routinely dumping oilwaste and hazardous chemicals intoU.S. harbors and coastal areas,Bluewater Network (which became apart of Friends of the Earth in 2005),with the support of 58 other organi-zations, petitioned EPA to regulatecruise ship pollution. EPA failed to

Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 7

C O V E R S T O R Y �

act on the petition, so Friends of theEarth sued and forced EPA, through asettlement agreement, to release itsDraft Cruise Ship DischargeAssessment Report in December2007. In the Draft Cruise ShipDischarge Assessment report, EPAfound that, “[s]ewage contaminationin swimming areas and shellfishbeds poses potential risks to humanhealth and the environment byincreasing the rate of waterborne ill-nesses.” EPA also found that, in arecent sample taken from cruiseships in Alaska, the average dis-charge exceeded EPA’s fecal coliformlimit by 10,200 times. EPA is obligat-ed to release the final report inDecember 2008.

On a legislative front, followingtwo seminal reports released in2003, advocating that cruise shippollution loopholes be closed,Bluewater Network took the leadand worked side by side withSenator Richard Durbin (D-IL) andCongressman Sam Farr (D-CA) tointroduce the Clean Cruise Ship Act(CCSA), a bill that would reduce pol-lution from cruise ships. The CCSAwould ban discharges of sewage,graywater, and oily bilge water from0-12 nautical miles from shore andplace stringent limits, consistentwith best available technology, ondischarges occurring from 12-200miles from shore. The CCSA wouldalso ban the discharge of incineratorash, sewage sludge, and hazardous

waste except at onshore disposalfacilities. Additionally, the bill wouldestablish a monitoring, sampling,reporting, and inspection programrequiring unannounced annualinspections. The bill would alsoestablish an observer programrequiring a trained, independentobserver aboard each ship to ensurethe ship’s compliance with law. TheCCSA has been reintroduced thisyear and we are working tostrengthen its provisions andincrease Congressional support forthe bill in this session with the ulti-mate goal of passing the bill in 2009under a new Administration.

In California, we helped pass fivebills which collectively ban cruiseships from discharging sewage, gray-water, oily bilge water, sewage sludge,and hazardous waste into statewaters and prohibit cruise ships fromburning garbage, paper, sludge andany other materials in on-board incin-erators while operating in statewaters. In addition, we successfullypetitioned the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration (NOAA)for a ban on these same cruise shipdischarges within the sensitive andecologically important NationalMarine Sanctuary System — theocean equivalent to the national parksystem. California has four of thesesanctuaries along its coast, includingthe Monterrey Bay and Gulf ofFarallones National MarineSanctuaries.

Friends of the Earth has alsoexpanded its cruise ship work intothe Pacific Northwest. We have suc-cessfully protected the OlympicCoast National Marine Sanctuary inWashington State from cruise shipdischarges and compelled the Port ofSeattle to send hazardous dredgedmaterial to a landfill rather thandumping it back into Puget Sound.We are also working with the SeattlePort Commission and other stateagencies to protect the delicatemarine ecosystem of Puget Soundfrom the rapidly expanding threat ofcruise ship and ocean-going vesselpollution and have successfullystrengthened an agreement withthe cruise industry to limit cruiseship discharges in the Sound.

Cleaning up the poop deck:what you can do to helpWhether you are scheduled to take acruise or not, you can call yourMember of Congress and ask him orher to support the Clean Cruise ShipAct of 2008 as it moves throughCongress. You can also urge yourlocal representatives to do somethingabout the problem of cruise ship pol-lution in your area. Currently, Alaska,California, and Maine are the onlystates with laws that address cruiseship pollution. More states couldbenefit from local action to stop thedestruction of human health and theenvironment. If you are alreadyscheduled to take a cruise, you canask to meet with the environmentalofficer on board the ship to learnmore about what they do with theirwaste. Let them know that you careabout what cruise ship pollution isdoing to our oceans and publichealth. You can also call up the majorcruise lines and tell them that youwant them to stop dumping theirwaste indiscriminately and to sup-port legislation to fix the problem.

How much pollution do cruiseships actually discharge?In one week alone a large cruise ship generates approximately:� 210,000 gallons of blackwater (human waste), � 1 million gallons of gray water (water from sinks, baths, showers, laun-

dry, and galleys), � 25,000 gallons of oily bilge water, and� More than 130 gallons of hazardous wastes.

8 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Summer 2008

E C O B I T E S �

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH co-hosted aclimate justice speaker event thatshowcased Nobel Peace Laureatesand co-founders of the NobelWomen’s Initiative, WangariMaathai and Jody Williams. Thewomen discussed their vision of ‘cli-mate justice’ – an approach to cli-mate change that recognizes differ-ential responsibilities for developedand developing countries, and putsthe rights of people, especiallywomen, at the center of the climatedebate.

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH SCORED avictory for nature-lovers and naturalhabitats alike when, after suing theNational Park Service for allowingoff-road vehicles (ORVs) to illegallytraverse park lands, Friends of theEarth and two other groups finally

reached a settlement to protectthese national treasures. The ParkService agreed to boost visitor edu-cation of the park guidelines andlaws against ORV use and toincrease penalties for violations.

Peace-ing Together Climate Justice

Victory for Public Lands!

Wangari Maathai, Jody Williams and Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton at the event.

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH HealthyPeople campaigners Ian Illuminatoand Gillian Madill spearheaded atwo-day teach-in and summit thatbrought together high-level expertsin the fields of nanotechnology andsynthetic biology. The conventioneducated participants on the healthand safety implications of such tech-nologies and built support for strate-gies to alert the public and pressureCongress to set regulations.

Keeping the Lid on Pandora’s Box

Gillian presents the implications of syntheticbiology.

ORVs can significantly harm plants andanimals as they tear across wild areas.

Ian takes part in a discussion with otherparticipants.

Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 9

H E L P I N G H A N D S �

Interview by Hillary Blank

JIM KUHNS IS A CharterMember of the GlobalStewardship Council at Friendsof the Earth, a longtime sup-porter of environmental educa-tion and outreach, and aretired business professionalliving with his wife Linda inNorthern California. Jim serveson the Board of Trustees of theSan Francisco Baykeeper/Waterkeepers and WarrenWilson College where he is onthe Business and EconomicsAdvisory Committee and ViceChair of the Advisory Council ofits Environmental LeadershipCenter. Jim sat down with us to talkabout his commitment to Friends ofthe Earth, the environment, and thebalance needed for a healthy world.

Why is the environmentimportant to you? In my youth, my concern for the envi-ronment was a part of everyday life.My brother Bob and I would catchand relocate poisonous snakes,rather than kill them, so they could-n’t bite people. My environmentalactivism began 25 years ago when Ibecame involved with an OutwardBound School, which encouragesenvironmental education, self confi-dence and respect for others, and asa result, my dedication to environ-mental concerns strengthened. I amincredibly interested in educatingchildren and adults on the environ-ment’s importance to a healthyworld.

How long have you beeninvolved with Friends of theEarth and what keeps youengaged?I joined Friends of the Earth five yearsago as a member, in part due to itsimportant environmental researchand campaigns. They expose people toenvironmental issues, spread the word,and get people to act, and this is some-thing I consider very important. Themore I learn about Friends of theEarth, the more impressed I become.When I mention to people that I aminvolved with Friends of the Earth, theyrespond, “That’s great!” Organizationsthat are dedicated to education andaction are very inspiring, especiallywhen they are run efficiently.

Why are you part of theGlobal Stewardship Councilat Friends of the Earth?Our annual gift helps enhance aworthy cause for the benefit of the

world. My wife and I do whatwe can to support the organiza-tions we are committed to, andit really boils down to the factthat organizations cannot dotheir job without the financialcapability to do so. The morefinancial support people areable to give to an organization,the more that organization willbe able to do for the people andthe earth. It is fundamental toan organization’s success tohave a broad base of peoplewho give as generously as theycan.

What message wouldyou like to send to peoplewho want to protect theenvironment?Clean air, water, and soil – these arethe fundamental life-giving elementsand we must protect them. Withouthealthy food, clean air and drinkablewater there is no life.

If we don’t care for the environ-ment, the environment won’t carefor us. The more we do to help theworld survive, the longer we will sur-vive. With all that is going on aroundus, it is easy to get wrapped up in thepresent moment, but we must thinkabout the future. If we don’t safe-guard the environment, our children,grandchildren, and generations tocome will miss out on the worldwhich we enjoy so much. Regardlessof future generations, helping to pro-tect the environment can make yourlife better today.

Jim Kuhns: Global Steward

Jim Kuhns with his wife, Linda.

10 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Summer 2008

S P O T L I G H T O N O U R F R I E N D S �

By Josh Hilgart

IF THE U.S. CONGRESS wanted toimprove global warming legislationhere at home it could get some goodideas from across the pond, whereFriends of the Earth EWNI has gener-ated enormous pressure to producea bill requiring annual targets toreduce the U.K.’s carbon emissions.

The public campaign to bringabout this legislation – “The Big Ask”– launched in May, 2005, and in justtwo months had gathered a coali-tion of more than 200 Members ofParliament (MPs) and other groupsto produce and present the details ofproposed legislation. Today there arewell over 400 MPs on board.

With savvy advertising, mediaand grassroots lobbying strategies,Friends of the Earth EWNI wove sup-port for passing their model legisla-tion in the United Kingdom.

Backed by celebrities like GillianAnderson, Jude Law, Stephen Fry andRadiohead front man Thom Yorke(who has been a major public face ofthe campaign since its inception),“The Big Ask” was soon everywhere.

Friends of the Earth EWNI organ-ized concerts, rallies, and in-personlobbying visits between members ofthe public and Parliament. It com-missioned studies, distributed eco-nomic research and brought expertsbefore the public that made the casefor urgent action. But most impor-tantly, it mobilized nearly a quartermillion citizens to join the campaignand pressure the government.

Passage of a bill to set limits oncarbon emissions in the U.K. nowappears imminent, and Friends ofthe Earth EWNI is now focused on

making the bill more comprehensiveand its limits more stringent as itenters the final stages.

Friends of the Earth EWNI sets thestandard when it comes to capacitybuilding, grassroots mobilization andcommunication. “The Big Ask” cam-paign’s success is a testament to theirability to get the public organizedand armed with a clear message.

While the organization is one ofthe largest members of Friends ofthe Earth International, with close to180 employees and an annual budg-et of around $20 million, it is its vol-unteer grassroots groups that give itreal punch.

It organizes more than 230 localchapters throughout England,Northern Ireland and Wales – manyof which have been around for mostof the organization’s 37-year history.

These groups make up networksof tens of thousands of activists inregions around the nation that oper-ate both independently on localissues – like getting more bike pathsor improving recycling services – andcollectively to mobilize for nationalinitiatives like “The Big Ask.”

Great care is taken to support andnurture these groups. The national

office creates handbooks for everygroup, outlining strategies andissues that work to change localitiesand increase local membership. Italso publishes a regular newsletterexclusively for the volunteer groups,highlighting innovative local strate-gies, success stories, common prob-lems and new issues. There is a largedepartment in the main office inLondon dedicated solely to providingsupport services for the local groups,as well as paid, locally-based region-al coordinators, who develop person-al relationships with the volunteergroups in their area.

Friends of the Earth U.S. has beencoordinating with Friends of theEarth EWNI in recent months toshare lessons and strategies on amore regular basis, and we look for-ward to an increase in joint-cam-paigning on issues common to ourcountries.

As for “The Big Ask,” it’s headed toEurope—Friends of the Earth EWNIPresident Tony Juniper and Thom Yorkeheld a press conference with membersof Friends of the Earth Europe toannounce plans to get citizens acrossthe continent to go to their officialswith their own big ask.

Raising the Bar by Growing the Grassroots:Friends of the Earth England, Wales, Northern Ireland (EWNI) ralliesUnited Kingdom to force Parliament’s hand on global warming.

The staff of Friends of the Earth EWNI in London.

Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 11

E V E N T S �

By Marsha Mather-Thrift

MORE THAN 320 PEOPLE turned outfor a sold-out event on May 16th tosupport Friends of the Earth and geta sneak preview of the new CavalloPoint Eco-Resort, Conference Centerand Environmental Institute at arestored military base on the coastof San Francisco Bay. Guests enjoyeda picture-perfect evening on a ter-race with views of the Golden GateBridge, sampling fine Californiawines and hors d’oeuvres from theresort’s Michelin-rated chef.Afterwards the party moved indoorsfor an action-packed evening pro-gram, which included performancesby Chevy Chase, Robin Williams andShana Morrison—touring partnerand daughter of Van Morrison.

Chevy Chase served as MC andintroduced fellow comedian andactor Robin Williams, who wowedthe crowd with an inspired perform-ance of comedy centered on globaland environmental hot topics. “I’mglad to be here with Friends of theEarth,” quipped Williams. “Friends ofUranus is meeting elsewhere tonightand they have a LOT less people.”

Chase served up laughs beforeand after he introduced the comic to

the crowd, noting that after hebecame famous he never imaginedthere was anyone who would bemore famous and more brilliant.

Three awardees received specialrecognition during the evening. TheFriends of the Earth PoliticalLeadership Award went to CaliforniaAssemblyman Mark Leno for his workin sponsoring a bill to replace harm-ful and potentially carcinogenic fire

retardants in furniture and toys withsafe alternatives. The Friends of theEarth Green Building Award went toTom Sargent for his work in restoringhistoric buildings at two Bay Arealocations—the Cavallo resort at FortBaker which is up for LEEDS certifica-tion for its energy efficiency and theThoreau Center for Sustainabilitywhich houses nonprofit groups inthe Presidio.

Brent Blackwelder presented theGreen Globe Youth Award to JessicaAssaf, a high school senior who, sincethe age of 15, has led a campaign tocreate teen awareness and politicalactivism to get toxic chemicals outof cosmetics. After “body burden”testing revealed a high level of tox-ins in her bloodstream Jessica,flanked by her friend and compatri-ot Carly Wertheimer and her 10-yearold sister Jenny, stood before thecrowd and renewed her promise tokeep working for a safer world.

Friends of the Earth raised $90,000to support its programs, thanks to thegenerosity of the evening’s donorsand sponsors—most importantlyPassport Resorts and Cavallo Point,who donated generously to ensurethe evening’s success.

GREEN BALL SPONSORS3 DegreesAlter Eco Fair TradeAndy & Judy StockerAutodeskCalCars- Felix KramerCavallo Point- the Lodge at theGolden GateCeago Vinegarden WineryBurg DesignsDavid Kupfer- SF Green MapsEco-Bags Products, Inc. Graphic Facts- Mick Laska Hotel VitaleJ Vineyard and WineryJim & Christina PettigrewJudy’s Breadsticks

Kaia Foods Kimpton Hotel & RestaurantsLinda S. GordonLonely Planet Books Lulu DesignsMama MealsMarin Brewing CompanyMen’s WearhouseMindful InvestorsOCSC SailingOde MagazineOlive Smart, LLCPassport Resorts2223 Restaurant & BarSeafood Peddler Restaurant &Oyster BarShaklee Corporation

Sloat Design GroupSoulstice SpaTed Windsor, AV Specialist andAuctioneerTrader Joe’sYoga StudioAsian Art MuseumBloomingaylesLululemon AthleticaMimi the SardinePhotography by Margot Duane

EVENT WORKING COMMITTEEAnnie PalmerChristina PettigrewGarrett Loube

Jonathan DeasonKelly FosterKristen KoharyLinda S. GordonMarcia RodgersMarsha Mather-Thrift Russell LongRuth Krumbhaar

DOOR PRIZE WINNERSRobin CooperLouis BlumbergGary TobinNancy Schultz

We Had a Ball!

Robin Williams & Chevy Chase.

The awardees with Brent Blackwelder.

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12 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Summer 2008

By Elizabeth Bast and Michelle Chan

IF YOU’VE BEEN PAYING attention tothe global warming debate, or fol-lowing what the Presidential candi-dates have been saying about cli-mate change, you’ve probably heardsome of the following terms: carbonpollution, carbon trading, carbonpermits, carbon cap, carbon offsets,carbon credits, carbon neutral. Thisvocabulary is supposed to be used tocount, account for, and ultimatelyreduce greenhouse gas pollution(often simply called “carbon pollu-tion”) that leads to global warming.

But what, in reality, do theseterms mean? Can they actually helpus reduce carbon pollution?

Setting the framework:carbon tradingCongress’ latest global warming planincluded a “cap and trade” systemfor reducing carbon pollution. Underthis system, the government sets acap, or limit, on the total amount ofcarbon pollution that big industries,such as electric utilities, can emitinto the atmosphere. Industriesseeking to release global warminggases into the air must obtain per-mits from the federal government todo so. These permits give them per-

mission to emit carbon pollution,with the cumulative emissions of allcarbon permits not exceeding theamount set by the cap. Over time,the carbon cap is lowered incremen-tally, thus bringing down emissionslevels. Since the federal governmentis limiting the amount of globalwarming pollution that can be emit-ted into the air, the permits them-selves are endowed with economicvalue that represents the cost ofreducing pollution. How these per-mits are distributed in the economywill determine the effectiveness ofthe system.

Ideally, the system is set up sothat all carbon permits are sold offor auctioned instead of being givenaway. Using this method a companymust buy carbon permits for all ofthe carbon pollution it emits. If acompany emits more carbon pollu-tion, it has to buy more permits. Asthe carbon cap is lowered, the car-bon permits will become more limit-ed, and the price of the carbon per-mit will rise. Eventually, it willbecome more cost-effective for com-panies to reduce their own carbonpollution than to continue to buycarbon permits. Under some cap andtrade systems, not all carbon permits

(also called “allowances”) are auc-tioned. They may instead be givenaway to companies based on howmuch they emit, with the number ofpermits getting ratcheted down asthe cap lowers – this “grandfather-ing” rewards company for previouspollution.

Regardless of how a permit isobtained, the system allows for thetrading of permits between compa-nies. Once all the permits are distrib-uted, companies that want to emitmore than their share of pollutioncan buy permits from other compa-nies that are polluting less, creatinga carbon trading system. The theorygoes that the companies that canmost cheaply reduce their emissionswill, and so carbon pollution will bereduced at the lowest possible costto society.

Carbon offsetsA carbon offset is a greenhouse

gas reduction effort that one partyconducts on behalf of another, car-bon-emitting entity. For example, anelectric utility that has trouble oper-ating within its emissions quota, oran environmentally-conscious driverwho wants to go “carbon neutral,”can fund carbon pollution reduction

Carbon 101

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Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 13

projects to compensate for theiremissions. (For voluntary efforts togo “carbon neutral,” see below.)

Cap and trade systems can bedesigned to allow regulated compa-nies to meet their emissions quotaby purchasing carbon offsets fromprojects in unrelated sectors. Forexample, an electric utility companycould pay for a landfill project tocapture and destroy methane, apotent greenhouse gas. In practice,the landfill operator would proac-tively capture the methane with theintention of packaging these reduc-tions as “carbon credits,” which canbe sold within a carbon trading sys-tem. Currently, there are some heat-ed debates about what kinds of off-set projects should qualify for car-bon credits. The cap and trade sec-tion of a recent leading climate billconsidered by Congress would allowforestry and agriculture offset proj-ects (for example planting trees tosequester carbon dioxide) to qualifyfor carbon credits, because those sec-tors fall outside the proposed cap.

Another key question is howmany carbon credits should beallowed to come from offset proj-ects, for instance projects thatreduce greenhouse gases produced

in industrial processes, buildhydropower stations, capturemethane from landfills, or sequestercarbon dioxide through tree planta-tions. Offset projects carried out indeveloping countries may be rela-tively cheaper to complete, but theyalso allow unscrupulous U.S. compa-nies to buy their way out of makingcarbon pollution reductions them-selves. Another problem is that it isoften hard to prove whether, and

how much, carbon pollution hasactually been saved. For example,was a hydropower dam going to bebuilt regardless of the funding pro-vided by carbon credits? Are treesplanted to capture carbon still aliveafter five years? Finally, concerns alsoare emerging about carbon offsetprojects that destroy social and envi-ronmental systems. *See The Carbon

Connection box.

All these questions must beaddressed through regulation andmonitoring, which vary dependingon the market, the type of credit andso on. Currently, many developingcountry-based carbon offset projects– called Clean DevelopmentMechanism projects – are regulatedunder the UN’s FrameworkConvention on Climate Change. TheUN certifies these projects andissues carbon credits, which can besold into carbon trading schemes forpurchase by regulated companies.

Voluntary offsetsCarbon offsets may also be part ofvoluntary offset schemes – you haveprobably heard of the potential foroffsetting your holiday travel, eventslike weddings and other sources ofemissions. But buyer-beware – theseschemes vary widely, and with poor

C A R B O N F I N A N C E �

The theory goesthat thecompanies thatcan most cheaplyreduce theiremissions will,and so carbonpollution will bereduced at thelowest possiblecost to society.

14 Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine | Summer 2008

regulation and verification, the pos-sibility for fraud is significant.

For example, a wind-farm devel-oper looking to sell carbon offsetsmust first estimate the amount ofgreenhouse gas emissions thatwould be produced if a typicalpower project were built instead thewind farm. Boosting this “businessas usual” estimate increases the cal-culated number of greenhouse gasemissions saved by the wind farm,and thus the number of carbon cred-its the project generates, so there isa lot of incentive to measure poorly,and there may be little regulation toensure that the measurements aredone accurately.

And with programs selling offsetsfor anywhere between $2 - $25 perton, it pays to be a savvy consumer.Clean Air Cool Planet has publishedconsumer tips for voluntary offsets,since going “carbon neutral” isbecoming increasingly popular withenvironmentally-minded individualsand companies. But Friends of theEarth stresses that consumersshould first reduce personal emis-sions as much as possible – thatmeans driving less, changing tomore energy efficient appliances,considering a rooftop solar array,and buying recycled products andlocal, organic food.

In addition, Friends of the Earth isworking to make sure that the rapid-ly-developing carbon trading mar-ket, with all the investment it isattracting, is structured and regulat-ed in ways that are more just andthat protect people and the environ-ment. In the U.S., we are undertak-ing advocacy efforts to ensure that

any cap-and-trade system includes a100 percent auction, an aggressivecap and reduction schedule, andthat companies take responsibilityand make their carbon pollutionreductions at home rather than buy-ing credits from abroad.

To help developing countriesmake carbon reductions and dealwith climate change impacts, we areadvocating that some of the revenueproduced from the auction systembe used to assist those countriesthat are less responsible for climatechange in dealing with climateimpacts and transitioning to low-carbon economies. In this way weare working to stop environmentallyand socially harmful offset projects(such as big dams, forest projectswhich shove indigenous peoples offtheir lands, or rainforest-destroyingbiofuel plantations) and advocatingfor safer ways of reducing carbonpollution by providing truly cleanand renewable energy sources andsupporting more sustainable devel-opment practices.

For information on the Clean Air,Cool Planet Consumer Guide toVoluntary Offsets, go to:http://www.cleanair-coolplan-et.org/ConsumersGuidetoCarbonOffsets.pdf

C A R B O N F I N A N C E �

Friends of theEarth is working tomake sure that therapidly-developingcarbon tradingmarket, with allthe investment itis attracting, isstructured andregulated in waysthat are more justand that protectpeople and theenvironment.

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH STAFFERSshare reviews of their favorite booksfor summer vacations and goodreads all year round.

“Eat food, not toomuch, mostlyplants” is the simplemaxim behindMichael Pollan’snew book, INDEFENSE OF FOOD(Penguin, $21.95). Heargues that many ofus try very hard to eat well, but areconstantly barraged by food indus-try marketers, nutritional scientists,and journalists who send mixedmessages meant to keep us con-fused while lining their pockets.Pollan wants to bring back our con-nection to real food, the kind ourgrandmothers would recognize, say-ing, if we “pay more for better, well-grown food, but buy less of it, we’llbenefit ourselves, our communities,and the environment at large.”

– Becca Connors

As a food and agri-culture enthusiastwho has spent timeworking at farmsand glorified gar-dens, I wasintrigued byBarbara Kingsolver’syear-long challenge to live exclu-sively off her own land. Kingsolverand her family vowed to buy onlyfood raised in their own neighbor-hood, grown by themselves, or learnto live without it. ANIMAL, VEG-ETABLE, MIRACLE (HarperCollins,$14.95) makes a passionate case forthe importance of rural life, diversi-

fied farming, and a family kitchenwhere everyone is involved.

– Kate McMahon

We are fed sound-bites from politiciansthat always seem tobe arguing against“handouts” for thepoor and reassuringus that the free mar-ket will cure all. ButNew York Times investigativereporter Michael Johnston warnsthat while the wealthy preach thebenefits of a free market economy,they are increasing their affluencethrough their own special interestprojects. In FREE LUNCH (Portfolio,$24.95), he delves into the collusionthat is “business as usual,” exposingsubsidies for stadiums and secretpayouts to CEOs. While fuming atthe hypocrisy and greed of the fewat the expense of the many, I real-ized how vital Friends of the Earth’swork is as we strive hard to root outsuch greed.

– Becca Connors

With the emergenceof genetically modi-fied crops, clonedlivestock, glow-in-the-dark bunnies,mice growinghuman ears, andeven DNA manufac-tured from scratchto create entirely new forms of life itappears that we’ve come a long wayfrom Watson and Crick’s discoveryof DNA in 1953. In NEXT(HarperCollins, $9.99), MichaelCrichton takes us on a scary journey,where geneticists create a part-human, part-chimp boy and bounty

hunters are hired to kidnap andsteal tissue samples from childrenin a most disturbing patent grab.Crichton has been quite public inhis belief that humans are not caus-ing global warming. Most climatescientists will tell you that he’s deadwrong on global warming, but he isright to warn of the very real dan-gers of genetic engineering.Crichton includes a short essay atthe end of the book that argues forthe elimination of gene patenting,one of the central parts of theFriends of the Earth GeneticTechnologies Campaign, as one wayto handle this next generation ofnew technologies.

– Gillian Madill

It’s widely accept-ed that biodiversi-ty loss throughhabitat destruc-tion, climatechange and otherman-made causesis bound to haveecological and economic conse-quences. However in their book SUS-TAINING LIFE (Oxford, $34.95),Harvard Medical School physiciansEric Chivian and Aaron Bernsteinhave uncovered a threat that mayhit closer to home for skeptics of theimportance of biodiversity. This tourde force analyzes the direct role thatthe biodiversity of a healthy ecosys-tem has on human health – from adecline in medical research and theavailability of medicines to theemergence and explosion of dis-ease. In non-technical language thisresource stands as the best evidencethat human health depends on thehealth of the natural world.

– Lisa Matthes

Summer Reading ListB O O K S �

Summer 2008 | Friends of the Earth Newsmagazine 15

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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-freenumber: 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 Registryof 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 BEOBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATIONBY THE STATE. Florida registration # 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 calling1-888-236-6167. 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 CHARITABLESOLICITATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSE-MENT. 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 ACOPY 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 regis-tration 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 theSecretary 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 Secretaryof State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.

T H I N K I N G A H E A D �

We don’t inherit this earth from ourparents; we borrow it from our chil-dren. Leaving a legacy of support forthe planet is one way that you canensure that future generationsenjoy the benefits of a healthy envi-ronment. By supporting Friends ofthe Earth with a charitable trust youcan donate generously without tak-ing away from loved ones who sur-vive you. Through charitable trusts,your heirs can receive a fixed or vari-able income for a period of time you

choose. When the trust terminates,the remaining funds become avail-able for charitable use. Or, if you pre-fer, you can create a trust thatmakes payments to Friends of theEarth for a period of time you deter-mine, after which the trust assetsare returned to you, your heirs, or others you name. For more infor-mation, contact Marsha Mather-Thrift at mmather@foe.org or call (866) 217-8499, ext. 13.

Providing for the Future