I-Genius: What is Young Friends of the Earth Europe about?

Young FoEE is a grassroots network of young people and youth organisations working together on social and environmental justice issues. We work collectively on a local, national and European level, to inspire other young people, organise great actions and events and get lots of attention in the media, in politics and amongst the general public on what we think as young people in Europe.

I-Genius: What is Young Friends of the Earth Europe doing at the moment?

Young Friends of the Earth Europe is at the moment doing the The ‘Act Now’ campaign’. This campaign is being lead by the Young FoE Climate Team- a group of 30 young people from 15 different countries from across Europe who have been selected and trained to follow the international and European politics on climate change in 2009, and use this information to create actions and information for you!

I-Genius: Do you prefer Friends of the Earth to Greenpeace?

During the last two years, while I have been involved with Friends of the Earth Malta and Young Friends of the Earth Europe I have done some fabulous things….from setting stands and talking to people in Malta about environmental issues, to running around body painted campaigning on climate change, to marching dressed up as a penguin in Berlin on climate action day, talking to the media and issuing press releases on several issues. However one of the most amazing things is working with a group of like minded people and than effectively see changes in the things you campaign about. So It has been a great and rewarding experience. I like the way in which Friends of the Earth works at a grassroots level but at the same time lobbies for changes and organizes actions.

I have never been involved with Greenpeace, although I have seen some of their videos and actions; some of the stuff they do is really cool. Greenpeace uses more direct actions which can have both a positive and negative side. Sometimes more direct actions can also be needed.

I-Genius: Do you think street level actions really make a difference or is it just a opportunity for middle class young people to have fun?

Organising street actions is fun but it is not just about that. Lobbying for a change on an issue sometimes is not enough and ONLY sitting at meetings with politicians can result in being locked in the politician’s system itself. Therefore actions at street level are needed to put pressure on the decision makers and to show that the issue is indeed one for which the population is concerned. For example in the last week Young Friends of the Earth Europe carried out a ‘detention action’ outside the Maritim Hotel where the delegates of countries where meeting for the UNFCCC meeting on climate change. Apart from meeting delegates at the UNFCCC conference, Young FoEE did this action to show that politicians are taking it too easy on climate change issues and that false solutions should not be chosen. If your curious on what the ‘detention action’ was all about I suggest you watch this :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra0dcJPizN8

I-Genius: is volunteering good for the soul and bad for the bank balance?

You can work and make good money but at the same time volunteer with an environment NGO. If your a 100% volunteer and making lots of money is not a priority and at the same time you have a comfortable life, than why not?

I-Genius: When you are not saving the world, what do you like to be doing?

I like watching movies and going for walks. I love good vegetarian food and a good glass of wine. I’m also a fan of electronic music, especially dnb and electro breaks…. I enjoy a good party now and than. I also love visiting other countries and cultures.

For more information check out:

http://www.actnow09.eu/

www.foeeurope.org

www.foemalta.org