Three ways Friends of the Earth puts solidarity into action
What’s solidarity and why does it matter?
Solidarity means recognising that our struggles are interconnected. Whether it’s fighting deforestation in Borneo or calling for climate action here in the UK, the root causes remain the same. As an organisation, we support the efforts of communities on the frontline of environmental destruction, especially those most impacted by systems of injustice.
Solidarity is powerful because it shifts the focus from charity to justice. Here are just 3 examples of how we’ve been practising solidarity in recent months.
1. Rainforest defenders from Sarawak visit the UK
In April 2025, we had the honour of hosting a delegation of Indigenous rainforest defenders from Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo known for its rich biodiversity and Indigenous heritage. Their visit to the UK was part of our Planet over Profit campaign, which challenges UK-driven deforestation and seeks to end exploitation by big business.
The visit began in London with a moving ceremonial gathering, "Rainforest Lifelines," hosted by Richmond’s Orleans House Gallery, which celebrated the world's forests as lifelines for humanity and Indigenous peoples as their key protectors. Participants included Friends of the Earth youth and local activists, as well as Indonesian diaspora students from Demokratik UK and Green Lions. They celebrated intergenerational protection of forests through a traditional folk song and dancing, accompanied by the haunting strings of the Sape played by Ngo, an Indigenous elder, and Zariq, a UK-based Malaysian.
The next day the group visited Kew Gardens, where they met key experts on the forests of south-east Asia and toured the herbarium to view a special collection of botanical specimens from Sarawak. This moment deeply resonated with the group, as some had helped and shared their knowledge with a team of Western scientists in a landmark field trip to Sarawak in the 70s.
Manchester Friends of the Earth local action group co-hosted another "Rainforest Lifelines" event with Manchester Museum, drawing a crowd of activists and museum visitors. A later panel event featured powerful testimonies and discussions on how to jointly promote collective solidarity.
Protecting forests means centring leadership by Indigenous and local communities and standing together, across borders, for justice.
2. One of the biggest climate and nature lobbies in UK history
In July 2025, more than 35 Friends of the Earth local action groups, youth activists and supporters travelled from towns and cities across the UK to Westminster. They stood shoulder to shoulder with over 5,000 others from The Climate Coalition – including members of the Women’s Institute, RSPB, WaterAid, the Salvation Army and many more – in one of the UK’s largest-ever climate and nature lobbies.
This powerful moment of solidarity brought together people from all walks of life, united by a shared demand: urgent action on the climate and nature crises. Together, they met with around 200 MPs. And our groups and supporters delivered a clear and collective message – we need a bold and fair Big Climate Plan that delivers on our climate commitments while improving everyone's lives.
Around the world, climate change is wreaking havoc, and it's the most marginalised – such as disabled people, people of colour, women and those with low incomes – who are being hit hardest. Whether it's older people and young children in the UK struggling with extreme heat, or coastal and island communities battling floods with few resources to recover, the impacts are unjust and deeply unequal.
That’s why fairness must be at the heart of climate action. Solidarity means recognising that we're all in this together and that some communities bear a heavier burden. Solidarity demands shared responsibility. It means ensuring that everyone has access to clean transport, warm homes and decent livelihoods, and that the cost of the transition is carried by those with the broadest shoulders.
3. Building the future: The Ubele Initiative and Young Emerging Leaders Collective
Finally, we want to spotlight the amazing young people we’re supporting through our partnership with The Ubele Initiative. As part of its Young Emerging Leaders Collective, several young campaigners joined us at our London office for a day of planning and learning.
The Ubele Initiative is an African diaspora-led infrastructure organisation, empowering black and minoritised communities in the UK to drive social and economic change.
Together, we explored what makes a campaign effective and what it means to fight environmental racism. Two powerful campaign ideas emerged: calling for climate refugees to be granted protected legal status, and challenging greenwashing and corporate misinformation.
Solidarity is a practice
These stories show that solidarity is a living, breathing practice that looks like singing together, challenging governments, honouring land defenders, marching side by side and investing in young leaders. Together, we’re stronger. And together, we can build a fairer, more joyful world.
Feeling inspired? Why not explore the different ways to take action with Friends of the Earth?
