We believe public scrutiny of the environmental and social impacts of new technologies is essential and support community involvement in technology assessment and public policy development.
Food & Technology Spokespeople
Friends of the Earth is a strong supporter of sustainable technologies such as solar power, wind farms, and energy efficient devices. However, we believe technology development should serve community needs—not simply corporate and military interests—and should pay heed to the precautionary principle.
Find out more about the Food Coop in Melbourne
In early 2005 FoE Australia established the Nanotechnology Project in response to the rapid development of the nanotechnology industry with little or no critical debate or regulatory oversight.
In 2014 we expanded the scope of the project to include other emerging technologies. These include synthetic biology and geo-engineering, which both operate in a similar regulatory vacuum, and pose grave potential threats to human health and the environment.
Friends of the Earth strongly support many new technological developments, particularly in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. However, we believe technology development needs to better serve community needs – not simply corporate and military interests.
Friends of the Earth Melbourne's world famous, not-for-profit social enterprise cafe and bulk-food-store has been operating since the 70's with a focus on zero waste, localising food systems, and providing healthy, biodynamic, organic, locally sourced, vegan, seasonal meals and food options to the community.
Friends of the Earth have been working to create pesticide and chemical free food and agricultural systems. We are currently tracking contamination in many river systems nationwide, as well as tracking drinking water contamination. We have completed multiple mapping exercises and reports on pesticide issues.
GM Free Australia Alliance are calling for a freeze on all GM crops and food approvals in Australia. This means: no new GM crop approvals, no new GM foods and no new GM crop growing areas.
