Citizens are often overwhelmed by the gravity of the problems they face, wondering what they can do as just one person to fight against all the inequities they seem beset with. In situations where rich and powerful interests hold sway over the lives and livelihoods of millions, it’s good to have well-organized groups on your side.
In the state of California, that role belongs to the four organizations profiled below. As we’ve documented the frighteningly negative impact of hydrofracking on California’s most vulnerable citizens, we’ve come to know these organizations well. They work tirelessly, helping to expose the truth that the oil and gas industry has spent millions buying advertising, funding ethically dubious scientists, and hiring publicists and lawyers to obscure. Here’s a brief introduction to each one:
Californians Against Fracking
This extremely active group has been fighting fracking through all available avenues, helping to organize an enormous group of Californians around one goal: ban fracking in the state. They are calling on Governor Brown to stop extreme drilling for fossil fuels, and end oil and gas extraction near homes, schools and hospitals where better oversight and judgement should have prevailed. Californians Against Fracking are part of the global movement to move toward renewable energy in order to save Earth’s climate, and working hard toward statewide awareness of fossil fuel dangers. Visit the Californians Against Fracking website.
Food and Water Watch – California
Food and Water Watch is a national organization championing clean and healthy air, water and food all across America. In California, their group is focused on organizing thousands of concerned citizens to fight fracking and water pollution in the state. While California and Gov. Jerry Brown are branded as climate-friendly and environmentally progressive, the truth is that fracking corrupts that brand with hypocrisy and harmful pollution that scientific studies have backed up. The organization is very active both in real life and on social media. Visit the Food and Water Watch – California website.
Clean Water Action
Clean Water Action boasts over one million members dedicated to preserving California’s waterways and all of America’s precious water resources where fossil fuel extraction is taking place. California is a particular focus due to its centricity in shale plays. Clean Water Action wants to see clean businesses and jobs built on renewable energy, and works with its large member base every day to make that happen Visit the Clean Water Action website
Water Defense
Water Defense believes access to clean water is a basic human right, and will stop at nothing to protect that right. The organization has made bold strides toward creating public awareness of water pollution, rallying the public to challenge corporations and governments who seem to turn a blind eye to the destruction of America’s water. They have a particular focus on California, much like the other national organizations, due to its primary role as a fossil fuel extraction state. This means California’s water is constantly under threat, and with historic drought conditions, there has never been a more pivotal time for Water Defense to be doing its work. Visit the Water Defense website.
Center for Biological Diversity
Last but certainly not least is the Center for Biological Diversity. Contaminated water leads to dead wildlife. This organization wants corporations to clean up their act and save animals from the fate of fossil fuel extraction-related pollution. They regularly issue landmark environmental reports, like this one on the threat of offshore fracking to California. We keep a close eye on what this group is doing, because they live at the very heart of the major environmental issues facing the state. Visit the Center for Biological Diversity’s website.