When people can voice their concerns, those in power will make better and more effective decisions. We and partners promote the right to publicly weigh in on local projects and regulations. We promote indigenous participation in the creation of international laws. And we help people seek justice in courts when they have been harmed by pollution.

NEWS FROM THE FIELD: The Birth of Russia’s Anti-Coal Movement

Blog Post | March 1, 2018 | Pacific Environment
Not Sitting on the Fence: A Coal Check-in with Vladimir Slivyak of Ecodefense! The people who live near Berezovsky coal mine are fed up. On February 17, local citizens took to the streets near the Siberian town of Novokuznetsk...

What I'm Fighting for in the Arctic

Blog Post | December 24, 2017 | Verner Wilson III, Arctic Indigenous Leader
One of my most cherished gifts given to me is a beautiful sealskin vest made by my grandmother. She was from St. Lawrence Island in the northern Bering Sea...

This Chinese “Environmental Grandma” Fights Rampant River Pollution

Blog Post | November 30, 2017 | Deng Ping, China Program Consultant
Last year, I accompanied Yun Jianli on a surprise visit to a wastewater treatment plant in her hometown Xiangyang in Hubei Province. We were investigating river pollution and asked...

Surprisingly, a Lot to Be Thankful for in 2017

Blog Post | November 24, 2017 | Alex Levinson, Executive Director
I’m sad about—and definitely resisting—the Trump administration’s attack on the environment, social justice, and the rule of law in the United States. But I also have a tremendous amount to...

Trump Administration Is Gearing Up to Destroy Alaska Wild Salmon

Blog Post | September 20, 2017 | Sue Libenson, Senior Arctic Program Officer
It’s almost hard to fathom unless you’ve seen it in person. Black ribbons of salmon—wild, Alaska salmon—running up clear rivers through spectacular, unspoiled country as far as you can see....

Courage Trumps Fear

Blog Post | January 30, 2017 | Domenique Zuber
Aleksei Gribkov defies government pressure and wins landmark legal victory for Russia’s environmental movement. Aleksei Gribkov did not back down when Russia’s state security agencies harassed him and his...