Earth Island fifteen years: Earth Island's mission.

EARTH ISLAND'S MISSION

Life on Earth is imperiled by human degradation of the biosphere. Earth Island Institute develops and supports projects that counteract threats to the biological and cultural diversity that sustains the environment. Through education and activism, these projects promote the conservation, preservation and restoration of the Earth.

This mission has guided the philosophical and structural development of Earth Island Institute (EII), framing both our concern for the environment and our unique position within the movement to protect it. In 1982, concerned about the devastating effect of human impact on the planet, David Brower and others wanted to provide a platform from which activists could work freely to address critical environmental issues. It was their belief that this organization should:

* Encourage new, creative ways of identifying and thinking about issues.

* Be action oriented.

* Be thoughtful about how it utilizes scarce resources, whether they be financial or environmental.

* Find ways to link the issues of social justice, economic activity, and environmentalism.

* Encourage cooperation and collaboration within the environmental movement, facilitating multi-disciplinary approaches.

* Provide a mechanism for environmental education and advocacy, inspiring the public to action and giving them the information they need to be effective.

* Create a place where people can work toward lasting change through the conservation, preservation and restoration of the Earth. In keeping with our mission, Ell sponsors, supports and promotes activists working on diverse environmental projects. As an alternative to dozens of separate nonprofits, each duplicating basic administrative functions, Ell is a consortium of more than thirty grassroots campaigns, each functioning independently while sharing resources and benefiting from the synergetic exchange of experience, ideas, and energy. In addition to serving as sponsor and administrator, Ell also offers these projects critical organizational support, allowing them the benefits of working within an established organization and the freedom to focus their energy on programmatic development rather than administrative management.

The following highlights represent a few of the successes we've had over the years:

* Awarded six Project Censored awards for the Earth Island Journal * Organized successful consumer-led boycott for dolphin-safe tuna (the largest and most successful boycott in history) * Produced first major magazine printed entirely on tree-free paper * Initiated over 50 environmental projects including such notable alumnae as Rainforest Action Network, International Rivers Network, and Northern Appalachian Restoration Project * Authored "15 Difficult Things to do to Save the Earth" * Sponsored a first-ever gathering of Central American environmental leaders in Nicaragua in the midst of the political conflict of the 1980's * Conducted a series of Conferences on the Fate of the Earth, bringing together advocacy leaders in the environmental, peace and social justice communities to seek common strategies * Brought the plight of threatened sea turtles worldwide to public awareness * Produced a video about threats to the environment and human rights in Guatemala * Worked successfully for the conversion of military bases throughout California,