Life

New FoE boss makes a push for people power

The new chief executive of Friends of the Earth says that ordinary people have the power to make great changes for our planet

FoE boss Craig Bennett says the public has the power to bring about positive change with lasting benefits Picture by robmonkphotography.com
FoE boss Craig Bennett says the public has the power to bring about positive change with lasting benefits Picture by robmonkphotography.com FoE boss Craig Bennett says the public has the power to bring about positive change with lasting benefits Picture by robmonkphotography.com

CRAIG Bennett is a man with a mission – to convince the public that they have the power to make the planet a better place for future generations.

The new chief executive of the environmental NGO Friends of the Earth is certain that the digital world can play a central role in harnessing the enthusiasm, commitment and talents of communities and individuals all over the world to bring about great change.

He also believes that an emerging sense of self-confidence and environmental awareness within the public is shining a light on political apathy.

Head of FoE since this summer, the 43-year-old campaigner has been at the forefront of the organisation’s anti-fracking campaign, which opposes the use of hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas exploration. But Bennett first began campaigning with FoE local groups in his mid-teens and he retains a passion for positive change.

He still regards the grassroots movement, spanning the age, ethnic and cultural spectra, as an essential part of the local, national and global campaign effort. In fact, Bennett says there has never been so much scope for people to flex their muscles by getting stuck into an issue they care passionately about.

He feels that “unquestionably” politicians have allowed themselves to become trapped in an “ideological timewarp, a hangover from the 80s and 90s in Britain and the Celtic Tiger economy in the Republic of Ireland”.

“Politicians still largely behave as thought a kind of casino capitalism is the way forward,” he says.

In a recent interview, Bennett was particularly scathing of British Chancellor George Osborne, claiming he was “unleashing an ideological war on all things green”, while David Cameron was “playing to the ideology of the swivel-eyed loons” within the Tory party.

“We need a grown-up approach, with regulations in place to protect people’s health and environment and use capitalism to benefit humanity. That is a view that is not held by politicians but is held by most people, who want to see governments govern and put simple measures in place to improve their lives,” he now says.

He believes that non-party environmental campaign groups, like FoE, are sending out a message that people want to hear – that people should be able to live in a clean and healthy environment that safeguards, rather than exploits, our planet.

That is why FoE numbers are growing, with 120,000-plus regular financial contributors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and treble that figure in supporters.

“We have a large supporter base and it’s growing. What is exciting is that we do have signs that people want to get involved and they want to be part of the solutions.”

One of his first tasks as FoE chief, is to try and get a “much better understanding of the diversity of our supporters and the kinds of things that will motivate them, ways to have conversations with them”.

“We have a whole range of issues that people are involved in within their own community but also within the digital sphere,” Bennett says, stressing the immense value of social media in spreading the word.

One particular issue on which the steady gaze of FoE is focussed is the illegal dredging of around 1.2 million tonnes of sand annually from Ireland’s biggest lake, Lough Neagh.

In September, FoE confirmed it was seeking leave for a judicial review over the failure of the north’s environment minister Mark H Durkan to put an immediate stop to the unauthorised dredging of sand from the lake, which is designated as a Special Protection Area and an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

“What’s happening in Lough Neagh is quite shocking and shows the huge gulf exists in the levels of protection in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK and the Republic,” says Bennett.

“The peace process has been a fantastic achievement but what has happened over the years is that politicians have remained stuck in the old ways of thinking and there’s been a failure to regulate.

“The tragedy of what’s happening with Lough Neagh, which is one of Europe’s most precious and biggest sites, is that it has every protection under the sun, but illegal dredging for sand and gravel is still being allowed to take place. How can the politicians of Northern Ireland say that’s OK?

“It is an appalling indictment of the politicians, who have completely failed on behalf of the people they represent. The environment should have been used to bring communities together across the sectarian divide and in fact enrich the community and society, helping make it a better place by creating a common interest.

“The double tragedy is, one, that the environment is suffering and, secondly, that the environment is not being used as a means to bring people together,” Bennett says.

However, he points out that while politicians may be “asleep on the job”, communities’ fight against fracking recognises no borders or social/ideological divisions.

“Right across the world at the moment, one of the most exciting and dynamic campaigns going on are local communities fighting fracking. It’s inspiring to see communities coming together on this, and what we’re witnessing is leadership, not coming from politicians but from communities.”

“In the 21st century, why on Earth would politicians be looking at oil and gas as energy sources? They need to leave fossil fuels in the ground and move on.”

Bennett believes he has taken over the reins at FoE at “an incredibly exciting time”, adding: “You have to ask where is the change and where is the leadership going to come from. It’s not going to come from politicians.

“I have spent my life waiting for a Green JFK to come along and they’re not coming any time soon, so communities are standing up for themselves, campaigning, pushing for what they want. We have a new sense of confidence and belief that we can actually improve the environment for the next generation.

“The digital world is allowing people to get in touch with each other. They are linking up and working together. Communities are sharing information and ideas. That is something that people want to be part of.”