EDF Support

In 1967, a group of scientists led by Art Cooley and Charles Wurster started the Environmental Defense Fund in order to seek ways to ban the use of DDT, a pesticide that causes the thinning and breaking of eggshells. Aside from threatening the survival of birds like the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, it is also toxic to humans. Even though the efforts of these scientists were unprecedented, their determination eventually led to the birth of modern environmental law.

EDF Today

Today, the Environmental Defense Fund (or EDF) is known globally for its environmental advocacies. This US-based nonprofit group tackles issues related to ecosystem restoration, global warming, the oceans, and human health. Its headquarters is found in New York and it has dedicated scientists and policy specialists working in offices spread across the United States and the world.

Strategies/Approach

The EDF combines sound science with good economics and good laws in finding solutions for some of the world’s biggest environmental problems and issues.

Its four core strategies are strong science, innovative markets, corporate partnerships, and effective laws and policies.

Science is perhaps the EDF’s best weapon. The group has a long list of science-geared efforts that have influenced action especially in terms of instituting national policy and soliciting action. Scientific evidence helped instigate the DDT ban back in the 1960s and the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act was the result of an Environmental Defense study conducted in the 1970s.

Environmental Focus

The EDF basically focuses on four major environmental aspects.

Through the group’s legislative policy arm, issues related to global warming have found their way into Congress. EDF also works with partners like the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) and the Presidential Climate Action Project (PCAP) in dealing with problems related to global warming.

The EDF also works to protect wildlife habitat and river systems.

The group comes up with creative solutions for restoring our oceans and protecting our fisheries.

Finally, the EDF also focuses its attention on vital environmental issues that affect humans. Some of their programs are geared towards preventing or reducing air pollution and reducing exposure to dangerous toxic chemicals.

In the years to come, the Environmental Defense Fund will continue to create effective solutions to most of the country and the world’s most pressing environmental problems. It will also continue to focus not only on the problems but also on the role that human beings play in both creating and solving the world’s environmental issues.

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