Earth Island Institute

Founded: 1982, San Francisco, CA

Headquarters: California

Founders: John Knox, Dave Phillips, David Brower

Website: http://www.earthisland.org/

The Earth Island Institute (E.I.I.) is a non-profit environmental group founded in 1982 by David Brower. Located in Berkeley, California, it supports activism around environmental issues through fiscal sponsorship that provides the administrative and organizational infrastructure for individual projects. E.I.I. nourishes ambitious fledgling projects, giving them fuel to thrive and potentially become independent nonprofits, such as Rainforest Action Network and Salmon Protection and Watershed Network.

Earthjustice

Founded: 1971

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Slogan: Because the earth needs a good lawyer"

Website: http://www.earthjustice.org/

Earthjustice is clear about its reason for being: “Because the earth needs a good lawyer”. Beginning as a Sierra Club team mounting a lawsuit to preserve an isolated California valley from development as a Disney ski resort, Earthjustice has become an independent crusade focusing on high-impact, precedent-setting battles. These are dedicated, experienced lawyers taking on the David-and-Goliath fights many of us feel powerless to influence.

Environmental Working Group

Founded: 1992

Headquarters: Washington, DC

Founder: Ken Cook

Website: http://www.ewg.org/

Known for their annual “Dirty Dozen” list revealing the highest (and lowest) pesticide concentrations in conventionally-grown produce, EWG is known for researching and spreading awareness regarding toxic chemicals, sustainable versus exploitative agricultural practices, consumer product safety, and corporate accountability. Right now, EWG promises that monetary gifts will be doubled through a matching campaign. This is a good pick for those with a passion for clean food.

Friends of the Earth

Founded: 1969

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Founder: David Brower

Website: http://www.foe.org/

Friends of the Earth describes itself as a “bold and fearless voice for justice and the planet”. Recent campaigns have targeted bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, “dirty” tar sands oil extraction, and the environmental devastation of palm oil production. Those who oppose widespread adoption of nanotechnology, genetically engineered foods, and human gene patenting will appreciate FOE’s clear stance and advocacy.

Greenpeace Fund

Founded: 1969

Headquarters: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Founder: Patrick Moore

Website: http://www.greenpeacefund.org/

Made famous in the 1970’s and 80’s for its seafaring bands of activists peacefully accosting whaling ships and exposing covert nuclear testing, today’s Greenpeace describes climate change as “the number one threat facing our planet”. Greenpeace has not lost its passionate idealism, maintains its corporate integrity, and still inspires many to urgent, hopeful direct action. Courageous efforts by small groups of concerned individuals have influenced governments in the past, as with nuclear testing in Alaska.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Founded: 1970

Headquarters: New York City, NY

Founder: James Gustave

Website: http://www.nrdc.org/

Called “One of the nation’s most powerful environmental groups” by the New York Times, NRDC combines “the grassroots power of 1.4 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals”. The charity monitoring group Charity Navigator gave the Natural Resources Defense Council four out of four stars in its three rating categories: overall, financial practices, and accountability & transparency.

Ocean Conservancy

Founded: 1972

Headquarters: Washington, D.C.

Founder: Bill Kardash

Website: http://www.oceanconservancy.org/

“Ocean Conservancy works to keep the ocean healthy, to keep us healthy.” Current areas of focus include addressing ocean acidification, restoration and oil-spill recovery in the Gulf of Mexico, and protecting the Arctic ecosystem from damage by increased shipping and oil and gas exploration. In the words of Jacques Cousteau, “The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.”

Rainforest Alliance

Founded: 1987

Headquarters: New York City, NY

Founder: Daniel Katz

Website: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

Rainforest Alliance has gained public recognition with their independent certification of common rainforest products, such as chocolate, coffee, bananas, and tea. Producers must meet strict sustainability standards to gain certification. The Alliance also works with foresters and the tourism industry in ecologically vulnerable areas. Their website offers consumer and traveler information, helping us work together to steward some of the most biodiverse, threatened, and globally critical habitats.

The Sierra Club

Founded: 1892

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA

Founder: John Muir

Website: http://www.sierraclubfoundation.org/

Another household name, the Sierra Club has a popular reputation as less radical than Greenpeace, less likely to cause arguments at the family dinner table. Political lobbying and legislative advocacy have always been central to Sierra Club’s mission. Today the Club focuses on moving beyond fossil fuel dependency and preserving wild spaces from harmful development, as well as offering their signature wilderness trek experiences to individuals across the country.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Founded: 1969

Headquarters: Cambridge, MA

Founder: Kurt Gottfried & Henry Way Kendall

Website: http://www.ucsusa.org/

UCS maintains a national network of nearly 17000 scientists who believe “rigorous analysis is the best way to understand the world’s pressing problems and develop effective solutions to them.” UCS’s findings and statements are frequently quoted by major news sources; they have become a recognized and respected voice of environmental advocacy. Their work focuses on clean energy solutions, global warming, and the puzzles of large-scale food production.