Rainforest Action Network
Rainforest Action Network is dedicated to the preservation of forests, safeguarding the climate, and defending human rights by actively confronting corporate dominance and systemic inequality. Through the establishment of frontline alliances and the implementation of strategic campaigns, the organization effectively combats environmental destruction and social injustice. With an unwavering commitment to the cause, Rainforest Action Network works tirelessly to protect the world's rainforests, recognizing their vital role in sustaining global ecosystems and mitigating climate change. By challenging the influence of corporations and advocating for sustainable practices, the network aims to hold powerful entities accountable for their environmental impact. Moreover, Rainforest Action Network recognizes the inextricable link between environmental degradation and human rights violations.
By addressing these interconnected issues, the organization strives to uplift marginalized communities and ensure their voices are heard. Through collaborative partnerships and impactful campaigns, Rainforest Action Network champions a more equitable and sustainable future, where forests thrive, the climate is protected, and human rights are respected.
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) organizes public demonstrations and campaigns to hold corporations and governments accountable for environmental destruction and exploitation. They engage in nonviolent protest tactics, such as peaceful demonstrations, petitions, and awareness-raising events, to bring attention to issues impacting rainforests and indigenous rights. RAN focuses on industries with a significant environmental impact—such as oil, gas, agribusiness, and finance—and pressures companies to adopt sustainable policies. They publish “scorecards” and reports evaluating corporations’ environmental practices, specifically focusing on sectors linked to deforestation, fossil fuel extraction, and pollution.Through the “Banking on Climate Chaos” campaign, RAN targets banks and financial institutions that fund fossil fuel projects, advocating for divestment from industries that harm the environment. RAN partners with indigenous peoples and local communities who live in and rely on rainforests. This approach respects traditional knowledge and supports locally-led conservation efforts. They provide training, funding, and resources to empower local communities to advocate for their rights, oppose illegal land grabs, and implement conservation strategies. While RAN’s main focus is protecting existing forests, they support reforestation and restoration efforts where ecosystems have been degraded, particularly where communities seek to revive local ecosystems. RAN advocates for stronger environmental protection laws, supporting policies that protect rainforests, uphold indigenous rights, and combat climate change. They provide legal assistance to indigenous communities, helping them defend their land rights and challenge illegal deforestation practices in court.
