“Be a Friend of the Earth”. Such a simple message is what welcomes you to one of the UK’s most influential environmental campaigning organisations. And it is with this clear simplicity that you could probably channel the entire Friends of the Earth ethos and still have a complete understanding of what it is these guys are truly all about.

Famously grabbing respect throughout the ecological world for returning 1500 ‘non-returnable’ bottles to the Schweppes headquarters – in order to underline a series of successful recycling campaigns – Friends of the Earth are much more than the eco-activists they’ve been known to be over the years.

The fibre of this eco-ally consists of an environmental network that branches out to almost 1 million supporters across five continents (over 70 national organisations worldwide); campaigning groups that are operational in over 200 communities throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland; but, however, quite tragically, is depending on over ninety percent of its income to come from individual and independent support.

If you think of it in terms of geographical reach alone, then the Friends of the Earth organisation incorporates over a third of the 192 members of the United Nations; exists and is operational in a local community near you; but still has gone on without support, and in some cases, almost unnoticed by the majority of the UK’s population. Considering all the great work they do, shouldn’t we be doing our bit too?

Of course we should, but like the rest of us, you probably want to know how. And it’s simple: just Be a Friend of the Earth.

Since 1971, Friends of the Earth have launched themselves at some of the world’s growing trouble spots with remarkable results, tackling issues such as; climate change; government legislation to help integrate recycling; more eco-efficient homes; a ‘cleaner’ national grid for the country; working to protect Britain’s ecology; striking GM foods from the UK’s menu; and working hard alongside major corporations to help improve their Environmental Strategies – and that’s only to name a few.

And all this positive action has been governed by three clear and coherent ideas: There is a Tomorrow; Everyone gets a fair share; and a Change in the rules.

Living within the limits of our planet and encouraging the economy to work for the environment in the same ways the environment serves our economy is what’s central to these three big ideas. And why? Simply because being a friend of the earth is about give-and-take: every living thing on this planet deserves its share of a good life and we have to work well together in order to achieve this.

So how can I start my friendship? The Friends of the Earth organisation needs you to start supporting in two ways: help fund one of their campaigns by giving as little as £5 a month; or pitch-in by joining one of their local action groups (which you can find via their website or by clicking here). Either way, you’ll be helping a friend that is desperately in need and starting a friendship that, we hope, will last you and yours a lifetime to come.