Feel Good Friday - Rainforest Action Network

I've been following the news of the devastating fires in the Amazon rainforest these last few weeks. That's why today's Feel Good Friday organization is Rainforest Action Network.

A San Francisco-based organization founded in 1985, Rainforest Action Network (RAN) "defends forests, communities and climate through non-violent direct action, organizing and education."

They work with environmental and human rights groups in 60 countries "towards a world where the rights and dignity of all communities are respected and where healthy forests, a stable climate and wild biodiversity are protected and celebrated."

Programs focus on three major categories: forests, climate and communities. Some specific projects are getting Conflict Palm Oil off store shelves, stopping the Keystone Pipeline, and distributing over $1 million in grants to indigenous-led organizations fighting to protect traditional territory in forests around the world.

RAN uses a three-pronged theory of change:

1. Target the companies and industries driving the most deforestation and climate change
2. Partner with and support frontline communities who feel the greatest impact from these challenges
3. Identify and move the legislative and regulatory levers of change

They've been winning campaigns with this approach since the beginning. In 1987 Burger King agreed to cancel $35 million in cattle contracts that destroyed Central American rainforests. In 2001 they helped pass a conservation measure that protects 3.5 million acres of Canada's Great Bear Rainforest. In 2017 Abercrombie & Fitch adopted a policy to address deforestation and human rights abuse issues in their supply chain. You can read about more RAN victories on the How We Win section of their website.

If you'd like to support the work of RAN you can make a donation, volunteer your time, and keep in the social media loop by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @RAN.