- How does Earth Alarm work?
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Every day people in the world sound the alarm. A government has plans to construct a dam. Or a company is dumping toxic waste. Or loggers are destroying tropical rainforest. Local people often seem to be powerless. By joining Earth Alarm you can provide real support. Your pen is your best weapon. As a letter-writer you will receive 'Alarms' ten times a year. Every Alarm contains information about an important environmental issue. An example letter is included. In this example letter an environmentally friendly alternative is described. The Alarms often concern enormous projects, involving great sums of money.
How does Earth Alarm work?
Example letters
As a letter-writer you will receive 'Alarms' ten times a year. Every Alarm contains information about an important environmental issue. An example letter is included. In this example letter an environmentally friendly alternative is described. The Alarms often concern enormous projects, involving great sums of money. A few letters are not enough to stop the persons or organizations responsible for the environmental damage. But if thousands of people write letters, the effect will be greater. Journalists will start to write about the issue and governments and companies will become more vulnerable to public opinion. Success is within reach!
Success
Earth Alarm was established six years ago and has achieved much success thus far. Earth Alarm writers have written letters for more than 50 issues. One-third of these cases achieved positive results and other cases are still pending.
At the moment more than 2,500 people are writing letters. The more people join Earth Alarm, the more success there will be!
Criteria for an Alarm
Earth Alarm supports people and organizations worldwide in their efforts to protect the environment. This support does not come easily; Earth Alarm carefully examines the issues before making a decision.
The following criteria are important:
- Accurate information
Earth Alarm checks the available information carefully. Information about an issue must come from at least two mutually independant sources. - Clear causer
The issue must have a clear causer. The letters are written to that person or organization. - Activities of local people
The letters have the best effect when the campaign supplements local activities. - The right timing
Every environmental issue has its own dynamics. Earth Alarm chooses the right time to start its letter-writing campaigns. - Is letter-writing the appropriate method?
Sometimes writing letters is not the best way to get results. Lobbying via politicians or taking judical steps are other ways to solve a problem. - Dutch involvement
If a Dutch company or organization is involved, Earth Alarm has an extra responsibility. Requests from the Friends of the Earth network also get high priority. Earth Alarm is a full member of Friends of the Earth International.
