Rainforest Action Network
I am convinced that the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is a true-blue (or in this case green) grassroots organization. It is primarily made up of 36 staff members from different parts of the world such as California, Japan and also consists of thousands of volunteer scientists, parents, students and concerned citizens; Keyword being volunteer.
The main focus of this organization is aggressive tactics in order to sustain the environment and to leave a “safe and secure world for our children.” This organization uses forceful market campaigns in order to align the policies of multinational corporations with public support for environmental protection.
About 63% of RAN’s budget comes from individuals, while about 37% comes from Grants or other resources. On their annual budget of slightly over $3 million, RAN took helped to convince dozens of large corporations – including Citigroup, Home Depot, and Goldman Sachs – to change their practices, with much success. RAN has helped to protect millions of acres of forest across the world, but is still focused on breaking our society’s oil addiction, protecting endangered forests and promoting human rights.
Throughout our nation, RAN is known for it's use of grassroots organizing, media stunts, and the occasional use of non-violent civil disobedience in order to pressure corporations into publicly adopting environmental policies.
RAN is a radical, but grassroots organization, out to revolutionize our world.
Sources:
http://ran.org/
http://rainforestheroes.com/
www.capitalresearch.org/search/orgdisplay.asp?Org=RAN100
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Friday, March 2, 2007
Speakers Biographies
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. serves as the President for the Waterkeeper Alliance, a grassroots activist group whose primary goal is to defend local waterways from polluters. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has even been named one of Time Magazine’s Heroes for the Planet, due to his success in helping Riverkeeper (a branch of Waterkeeper) lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. With much success, more than 150 Waterkeeper organizations exist across the world.
Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University, and has studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He then attended Pace University School of Law, where he received a Masters Degree in Environmental Law.
Robert F. Kennedy currently serves as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and President of Waterkeeper Alliance, as well as a Clinical Professor/Supervising Attorney at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic. He is also a co-host of ‘Ring of Fire’, on Air America Radio. In the past, Mr. Kennedy has served as Assistant District Attorney in New York and has worked on different political campaigns such as, Edward M. Kennedy (1980), Al Gore (2000), and John Kerry (2004). He has also published many New York Times’ bestsellers such as, Crimes Against Nature (2004) and The RIverkeepers (1997), as well as award winning articles featured in America’s Best Crime Writing, Political Writing and Best Science Writing.
He has worked on many environmental issues across the Americas and has assisted tribes in Latin America and Canada in developing treaties to protect their traditional homelands. He is also credited with heading the fight to protect New York City’s precious water supply, among many other groundbreaking environmental accomplishments.
Ramaswamy R. Iyer
Ramaswamy R. Iyer has always been actively involved with large-dam projects. In fact, in the 80’s he served as the Secretary of Water Resources for the Govt. of India. During this time, Mr. Iyer worked to improve policy issues. He was in fact, the initiator and principal draftsman for India’s first National Water Policy in 1987.
Mr. Iyer also worked as a consultant to the World Commission on Dams (WCD) from 1998-2000, and as World Bank consultant for the review of India’s Water Sector Strategy during 2000-2005. He also serves as Honorary Research Professor for India’s Centre for Policy Research, where he continually educates people on water resource matters, and to benefit the knowledge of the public, policy-makers, media, etc., on water-related issues.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. serves as the President for the Waterkeeper Alliance, a grassroots activist group whose primary goal is to defend local waterways from polluters. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has even been named one of Time Magazine’s Heroes for the Planet, due to his success in helping Riverkeeper (a branch of Waterkeeper) lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. With much success, more than 150 Waterkeeper organizations exist across the world.
Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University, and has studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He then attended Pace University School of Law, where he received a Masters Degree in Environmental Law.
Robert F. Kennedy currently serves as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and President of Waterkeeper Alliance, as well as a Clinical Professor/Supervising Attorney at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic. He is also a co-host of ‘Ring of Fire’, on Air America Radio. In the past, Mr. Kennedy has served as Assistant District Attorney in New York and has worked on different political campaigns such as, Edward M. Kennedy (1980), Al Gore (2000), and John Kerry (2004). He has also published many New York Times’ bestsellers such as, Crimes Against Nature (2004) and The RIverkeepers (1997), as well as award winning articles featured in America’s Best Crime Writing, Political Writing and Best Science Writing.
He has worked on many environmental issues across the Americas and has assisted tribes in Latin America and Canada in developing treaties to protect their traditional homelands. He is also credited with heading the fight to protect New York City’s precious water supply, among many other groundbreaking environmental accomplishments.
Ramaswamy R. Iyer
Ramaswamy R. Iyer has always been actively involved with large-dam projects. In fact, in the 80’s he served as the Secretary of Water Resources for the Govt. of India. During this time, Mr. Iyer worked to improve policy issues. He was in fact, the initiator and principal draftsman for India’s first National Water Policy in 1987.
Mr. Iyer also worked as a consultant to the World Commission on Dams (WCD) from 1998-2000, and as World Bank consultant for the review of India’s Water Sector Strategy during 2000-2005. He also serves as Honorary Research Professor for India’s Centre for Policy Research, where he continually educates people on water resource matters, and to benefit the knowledge of the public, policy-makers, media, etc., on water-related issues.
WaterWays 2007 Lead
What is the most precious and essential element of life? Water. Water is vital to all living beings, which we know. But how much do you know about what is going on world-wide concerning water issues? Not enough. This is why the University of North Texas is putting on WaterWays 2007. WaterWays 2007 is the University of North Texas’ second biennial Water Conference, put together by the Philosophy of Water Project and other campus-wide Departments. This event is being held Tuesday, March 13 through Thursday, March 15, and will feature guest speakers such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (WaterKeeper Alliance), Ramaswamy R. Iyer (Former Secretary of Water, Govt. of India) and other influential figures. WaterWays 2007 is a program that explores different aspects of water issues across society. Its primary goal is to raise awareness of water basin issues, especially the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin. WaterWays 2007 is free and open to the public so come out and learn about our earth’s water basin issues, and see how you can make a difference.
For More Information Call 940-565-2266, or visit http://www.water.unt.edu/.
For More Information Call 940-565-2266, or visit http://www.water.unt.edu/.
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