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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.

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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.

Food & Technology Vision

 

Friends of the Earth believe technology development needs to better serve community needs – not simply corporate and military interests.

 

 

We actively encourage, where culturally appropriate, a vegan diet.

 

 

Friends of the Earth opposes geo-engineering because of the potentially catastrophic consequences of experimenting with the climate system that sustains life on Earth.

 

 

Friends of the Earth is calling for a moratorium on the commercial use of nano-materials until the risks associated with the use of nanotechnology are properly assessed and its safety established.

 

 

Friends of the Earth is calling for a moratorium on the release and commercial use of synthetic organisms, cells, or genomes until the risks associated with the use of this technology are properly assessed and its safety established

Food & Technology Campaign Work

Friends of the Earth participate in Alliances with other environmental, community, union, and other groups on food & technology issues, including:

We are also building campaigns relating to Food and Technology at the national level.

Check out your local Friends of the Earth local group to find out about how to get involved with local activity.


Information on national campaign work


Emerging TechFriends 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.

We also see a need for public scrutiny of the environmental and social impacts of new technologies, and for community involvement in technology assessment and public policy development.

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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.

We recognise that we are part of our local food system, and we partner with a local school to compost our food waste, whilst educating the next generation about where their food comes from.

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Pesticide FreeFriends 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.

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Genetically Modified Free Australia AllianceGM 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.

During the GM Freeze, the safety of GM foods for sale in Australia must be re-assessed and data on yield, pesticide use and effects on biodiversity of GM crops in Australia must be publicly investigated.

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Latest Publications

2020 - Pesticide Breaches and Australian Imported Food 2017-2019

Food & Technology News

Friends of the Earth believe all people have the right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods and that technological advances need to be proven safe before they are deployed.

GM-Free Australia Alliance advocates for food and farming free from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is recommending the irradiation of all fresh fruit and vegetables. NOW is the time to write a submission...
The global pandemic has exposed the flaws in our current highly concentrated, inequitable, industrial food system. At this moment, we stand at the crossroads...