Editing Environmental Defense Fund

{{Short description|US-based nonprofit environmental organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                     = Environmental Defense Fund
| founded_date             = {{start date and age|1967}}
| founder                  = 
| logo                     = Environmental Defense Fund logo.svg
| logo_size                = 250px
| logo_alt                 = Logo of the Environmental Defense Fund
| type                     = [[Non-profit]]
| location                 = [[New York City|New York, New York]], United States
| area_served              = Worldwide
| origins                  = 
| key_people               = 
| focus                    = [[Environmentalism]]
| method                   = Science, economic incentives, partnerships, nonpartisan police
| revenue                  = [[US$]]312,900,000<ref>[http://www.edf.org/finances EDF Finances]</ref>
| revenue_year             = 2024
| staff                    = 1000+<ref>[http://www.edf.org/people EDF People]</ref>
| staff_year               = 2025
| membership               = 3,500,000+<ref name="about">[http://www.edf.org/about About EDF]</ref>
| membership_year          = 2025
| owner                    = 
| homepage                 = {{URL|https://www.edf.org/}}
| dissolved                = 
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.edf.org/}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Environmental Defense Fund''' or '''EDF''' (formerly known as '''Environmental Defense''') is a United States–based [[nonprofit]] [[environmental organization|environmental advocacy group]]. The group is known for its work on issues including [[global warming]], [[ecosystem restoration]], oceans, and human health, and advocates using sound [[science]], [[economics]] and [[law]] to find environmental solutions that work. It is nonpartisan, and its work often advocates [[Market (economics)|market]]-based solutions to environmental problems.

The group's headquarters are in [[New York City]], with offices across the US, with scientists and policy specialists working worldwide. US regional offices include [[Austin, Texas]]; [[Boston]]; [[Boulder, Colorado]]; [[Los Angeles]]; [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]; [[San Francisco]]; [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]. The group has a growing international presence, with offices in London, Brussels, Mumbai and Beijing.

[[Fred Krupp]] has served as its president since 1984.<ref>[[Hoover's Company In-Depth Records|Hoover's Company Records – Basic and In-depth Records]]: Hoover ID: 130102. April 10, 2007</ref> In May 2011 Krupp was among a group of experts named by [[US Department of Energy]] Secretary [[Steven Chu]] to a subcommittee of the Energy Advisory Board that was charged with making recommendations to improve the safety and environmental performance of natural gas hydraulic fracturing from shale formations.<ref>"[http://energy.gov/articles/secretary-chu-tasks-environmental-industry-and-state-leaders-recommend-best-practices-safe Secretary Chu Tasks Environmental, Industry and State Leaders to Recommend Best Practices for Safe, Responsible Development of America's Onshore Natural Gas Resources]". U.S. Department of Energy. Energy.gov. May 5, 2011.</ref><ref>Kirkland, Joel (July 26, 2011). "[https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/07/26/26climatewire-us-department-of-energy-prepares-to-take-the-42632.html U.S. Department of Energy Prepares to Take the Floor in the Nation's 'Fracking' Debate]". ''New York Times''. nytimes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-26.</ref> The subcommittee issued an interim report in August and its final report in November of the same year.<ref>''[https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/90day_Report_Second_11.18.11.pdf Shale Gas Production Subcommittee Second Ninety Day Report]'' (final report). Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Shale Gas Production Subcommittee. November&nbsp;18, 2011. Retrieved 2018-03-26.</ref>

In 1991, ''[[The Economist]]'' called EDF "America's most economically literate green campaigners."<ref>"[http://www.edf.org/content/cool-it Cool it: Cleaning up the old act]". ''The Economist''. August 31, 1991. Via Environmental Defense Fund. edf.org.</ref> The organization was ranked first among environmental groups in a 2007 ''[[Financial Times]]'' global study of 850 business-nonprofit partnerships.<ref>"Trend to partnerships is positive," ''Financial Times'', July 5, 2007, p. 14.</ref> [[Charity Navigator]], an independent [[charity evaluator]], has given EDF a four-out-of-four stars rating overall since June 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.history&orgid=3671|title=Charity Navigator - Historical Ratings for Environmental Defense Fund|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref>

==History==
The organization's founders, including [[Art Cooley]],<ref>
"[https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/30/nyregion/memories-and-more.html Memories and More: Saving a species]" (year-end obituary for Dennis Puleston). ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 30, 2001. Retrieved 2017-0716.</ref> [[Robert Burnap]],<ref>"DDT Wars: Rescuing Our National Bird, Preventing Cancer, and Creating the Environmental Defense Fund" Charles F. Wurster, June 1, 2015
Oxford University Press</ref><ref>"DDT: Scientists, Citizens, and Public Policy"
Thomas Dunlap 1981 Princeton University Press {{ISBN|9780691613901}}</ref> [[George Woodwell]], [[Charles Wurster (environmentalist)|Charles Wurster]],<ref>
"Fostering Clean Air through Environmental Law," ''The New York Times'', May 14, 1995</ref><ref>"Environmental Defense Fund member Dr. York Times'', Page 11, Column 1, January 14, 1969''</ref> [[Dennis Puleston]], [[Victor Yannacone]] and [[Robert Smolker]], discovered in the mid-1960s that the [[osprey]] and other large [[bird of prey|raptor]]s were rapidly disappearing. Their research uncovered a link between the spraying of [[DDT]] to kill [[mosquito]]s and thinning egg shells of large birds. Their research was most likely based on the book ''[[Silent Spring]]'' by [[Rachel Carson]] about the dangers of DDT and the effects that it had on birds, published in 1962.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} Carson, who died in 1964, is noted as the scientist who inspired the environmental movement. The founders of EDF successfully sought a ban on DDT in [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]], Long Island, New York. Next, they succeeded in banning DDT statewide, then took their efforts nationally.<ref>Bryant, Nelson (February&nbsp;3, 1970). "[https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/03/archives/woodfield-and-stream-environmental-defense-fund-warns-pollution.html Wood, Field and Stream: Environmental Defense Fund Warns Pollution From Pesticides Still Exists]". ''The New York Times''. Retrieved 2016-12-17.</ref><ref name="epa.gov">
"DDT Ban Takes Effect" [EPA press release - December 31, 1972], site accessed 4/12/2007
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/ddt/01.htm</ref><ref>
"[https://archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/ddt-regulatory-history-brief-survey-1975.html DDT Regulatory History: A Brief Survey (to 1975)]" (July 1975). Environmental Protection Agency. Excerpt from ''DDT, A Review of Scientific and Economic Aspects of the Decision To Ban Its Use as a Pesticide'', prepared for the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. House of Representatives by EPA, July 1975, EPA-540/1-75-022. Retrieved 2016-12-17.</ref>

In looking back at passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, top EPA officials responsible for implementing the law recall that EDF published a statistical study that supported a link between organic contaminants and cancer rates in the City of New Orleans, a study that received a tremendous amount of media attention and certainly contributed to the enactment of the law.<ref>EPA Alumni Association: Senior EPA officials discuss early implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, [http://www.epaalumni.org/history/video/interview.cfm?id=13 Video], [http://www.epaalumni.org/userdata/pdf/6014106B36AE81EB.pdf#page=3 Transcript] (see p4).</ref>

On April 11, 2018, the group announced plans for [[MethaneSAT]], a satellite to help identify global [[methane emissions]], concentrating on the 50 major oil and gas regions responsible for 80% of methane production. The satellite launched on March 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuthunur |first=Sharmila |date=2024-03-05 |title=SpaceX rocket launches pioneering methane-tracking satellite to orbit |url=https://www.space.com/methane-tracking-satellite-launch-spacex-transporter-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305200907/https://www.space.com/methane-tracking-satellite-launch-spacex-transporter-10 |archive-date=2024-03-05 |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=[[Space.com]] |language=en}}</ref> EDF says it will make the data public.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/environmental-group-plans-satellite-to-track-greenhouse-gas-emissions/|title=Environmental group plans satellite to track greenhouse gas emissions - SpaceNews.com|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=2018-04-13|work=SpaceNews.com|access-date=2018-10-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.edf.org/climate/how-methanesat-is-different|title=How MethaneSAT is different from other satellites|work=Environmental Defense Fund|access-date=2018-10-28|language=en}}</ref> The goal is to help reduce methane emissions by 45% by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/fred_krupp_what_if_we_tracked_methane_from_space_and_hit_the_brakes_on_climate_change/transcript|title=Transcript of "Let's launch a satellite to track a threatening greenhouse gas"|last=Krupp|first=Fred|date=13 April 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref> Funding for the project comes from The Audacious Project, an initiative of the worldwide [[TED (conference)|TED conference]] group.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ted-oil-industry-methane-pollution-tracked-by-new-satellite-2018-4|title=Oil and gas operations release a powerful pollutant that threatens humanity — and a new satellite will have unprecedented abilities to track it|last=Schwartz|first=Ariel|date=2018-04-12|work=Business Insider|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref> MethaneSAT will provide data on methane emissions that can be combined with other satellite data sources including [[Sentinel-5|Tropomi]], [https://www.ghgsat.com/en/ GHGSat] and the [https://carbonmapper.org/ CarbonMapper] program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carbon Mapper launches satellite program to pinpoint methaneand CO2 super emitters {{!}} California Air Resources Board |url=https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/carbon-mapper-launches-satellite-program-pinpoint-methane-and-co2-super-emitters#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThese%20satellites%20will%20help%20California,CARB%20Executive%20Officer%20Richard%20Corey. |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=ww2.arb.ca.gov}}</ref>

==Areas of work==
* '''Corporate partnerships''' – EDF receives millions in funding from organizations with strong corporate ties, such as the Walton Family Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Walton Family Foundation |url=http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/grantees/environmental-defense-fund |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111031808/http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/grantees/environmental-defense-fund |archive-date=2013-01-11 }}</ref> 
* '''Environmental economics''' – The organization promotes the use of markets and incentives to help solve environmental problems.<ref>[http://www.edf.org/approach/markets EDF's Approach: Markets]</ref> Examples of this approach at work include catch shares the [[Emissions trading|cap-and-trade]] plan written into the [[1990 Clean Air Act|Clean Air Act (United States)]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.edf.org/approach/markets/acid-rain |title=EDF's Approach: Markets: Acid Rain |access-date=2012-07-29 |archive-date=2023-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306194545/https://www.edf.org/approach/markets/acid-rain |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="debate">
"A Debate: Are Enough Data in Hand to Act Against Acid Rain?", Week in Review Desk, ''The New York Times'', November 14, 1982</ref><ref name="acid">
"An Acid Test for Acid Rain," Editorial Desk, ''The New York Times'', December 26, 1984</ref><ref name="consensus">
"Consensus Is Seen To Curb Acid Rain," by Philip Sabecoff, ''The New York Times'', October 18, 1985</ref><ref name="sabecoff1">
"Acid Rain Is Called Peril for Sea Life on Atlantic Coast," by Philip Sabecoff, ''The New York Times'', April 25, 1988</ref><ref name="sabecoff2" /><ref name="passell1">
"Economic Watch: Sale of Air Pollution Permits Is Part of Bush Acid-Rain Plan," by Peter Passell, ''The New York Times'', May 17, 1989</ref><ref name="passell2">
"Under Bush's Plan, Clean Air Becomes Profitable," by Peter Passell, ''Newsday'', November 29, 1989</ref><ref name="epa">
"EPA Administrator Reilly Hails Signing of New Clean Air Act" [EPA press release – November 15, 1990], site accessed 4/16/2007
{{cite web|title=EPA History - EPA Administrator Reilly Hails Signing of New Clean Air Act|url=http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/caa90/02.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418094210/http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/caa90/02.htm|archive-date=2006-04-18|access-date=2007-06-15}}
</ref><ref name="bukro">
"Clean Air Act Ahead of Schedule: Market Forces Quicken Emissions Reductions," by Casey Bukro, ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', March 27, 1996</ref><ref name="easterbrook">
"The Environment: Ignore all doomsayers on EPA laws," by Gregg Easterbrook, ''Los Angeles Times'', December 1, 1996</ref><ref name="rensberger">
"Clean Air Sale," by Boyce Rensberger, ''The Washington Post'', August 9, 1999</ref>

==Key accomplishments==
Key accomplishments of Environmental Defense Fund include:

* '''1967''' – A group of scientists forms the organization and sets out to ban [[DDT]] (succeeding in 1972).<ref name="epa.gov" /> (See [[DDT ban]].)
* '''1970''' – Efforts to ban [[whale]] hunting.<ref>
List of Marine Mammal Species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), web site accessed 4/12/2007: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/esa/mammals.htm</ref><ref>
"S. McVay, chmn Com on Whales, Environmental Defense Fund, hails NY Times for backing efforts to conserve whales…", ''The New York Times'', Page 34, Column 5 – September 1, 1970</ref>
* '''1974''' – An Environmental Defense Fund report on potential health risks of [[Mississippi River]] water<ref>
"EPA and Environmental Defense Fund studies revealing carcinogenic chem in drinking water… ", ''The New York Times'', Page 32, Column 2, by Harold M. Schmeck, Jr. – November 17, 1974</ref> based on EPA analytical studies<ref>Joseph Cotruvo, Victor Kimm, Arden Calvert. [http://www.epaalumni.org/hcp/drinkingwater.pdf “Drinking Water: A Half Century of Progress.”] EPA Alumni Association. March 1, 2016.</ref> helps pass the [[Safe Drinking Water Act]],<ref>
"HR passes Safe Drinking Water Act authorizing EPA to set minimum Fed standards for drinking water … ", ''The New York Times'', Page 21, Column 1, by Richard D. Lyons. – November 20, 1974</ref> establishing the first comprehensive health standards for water nationwide.
* '''1985''' – Helped convince federal regulators to phase out lead from gasoline,<ref>
"EPA Scraps Plan To Ease Standards On Lead in Gasoline," by Sandra Sugawara, ''The Washington Post'', August 2, 1982</ref><ref>
"EPA Orders 90% of Lead Cut From Gasoline by Jan. 1," by Zack Nauth, ''The Los Angeles Times'',  March 5, 1985</ref> leading to a dramatic decline in childhood [[lead poisoning]].<ref>
"EPA Takes Final Step in Phaseout of Leaded Gasoline" [EPA press release – January 29, 1996], site accessed 4/16/2007
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/lead/02.htm</ref>
* '''1986''' – Pushed [[McDonald's]] to institute [[biodegradable]] food-packaging containers.<ref>
"The Nation: Environmentalists Try To Move the Markets," by John Holusha, ''The New York Times'', August 22, 1993</ref>
* '''1987''' – Played a key role in the treaty to phase out the use of [[CFCs]], chemicals that many researchers believe damage the Earth's [[ozone layer]], although CFC-22 was continued to be allowed, renamed [[Chlorodifluoromethane|H-CFC-22]] to avoid banning.<ref>
"Business Forum: Saving the Earth's Ozone Layer; Industry Needs Incentives Not To Pollute" by Daniel J. Dudek, ''The New York Times'', November 16, 1986</ref><ref>
"The Hole at the Bottom of the World," Editorial Desk, ''The New York Times'', September 19, 1987</ref>
* '''1990''' – Designed Title IV of the [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]], which incorporates market-based methods to cut air pollution and [[acid rain]].<ref name="sabecoff2">
"The Nation: An Emergence of Political Will on Acid Rain," by Philip Sabecoff, ''The New York Times'', February 19, 1989</ref> The measures reduced sulfur dioxide pollution faster than expected, and at a fraction of the cost.<ref>
"Report on Acid Rain Finds Good News and Bad News," by Carol Kaesuk Yoon, ''The New York Times'', October 7, 1999</ref>
* '''1990''' – Improved [[McDonald's]] packaging, reducing solid waste in a groundbreaking corporate partnership, which came after dozens of other groups had protested McDonald's use of styrofoam packaging and the corporation was looking for a way to "save face" by claiming EDF's advocacy was the reason for the shift. The Citizens Clearinghouse on Hazardous Waste, founded by Lois Gibbs, helped coordinate the protests of McDonald's.<ref>"Packaging and Public Image: McDonald's Fills a Big Order," New York Times, November 2, 1990. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/02/business/packaging-and-public-image-mcdonald-s-fills-a-big-order.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm]</ref><ref>[http://www.edf.org/partnerships/mcdonalds McDonald's: The first corporate partnership]</ref>
* '''1993''' – EDF was one of seven foundation-funded environmental groups to endorse the NAFTA Treaty.
* '''1995''' – Designed the [[Endangered Species Act#"Safe Harbor" agreements|Safe Harbor]] plan<ref>
"Deal Gives Woodpeckers Golf Habitat," by Tom Kenworthy, ''The Washington Post'', March 2, 1995.</ref><ref>
"Giving animals 'safe harbor,' op-ed by Robert Bonnie, economist at Environmental Defense Fund, ''[[The Washington Times]]'', October 15, 1996.</ref> that gives landowners new incentives to help endangered species on their property.
* '''2000''' – Seven of the world's largest corporations join Environmental Defense in a partnership to address global warming, setting firm targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>Big firms Join to Share Greenhouse-Gas Cuts," by Peter Behr, ''Washington Post'', October 18, 2000.</ref><ref>"7 Companies Agree to Cut Gas Emissions," by Andrew C. Revkin, ''The New York Times'', October 18, 2000</ref>
* '''2001, 2004, 2008''' – Won measures resulting in cleaner vehicle exhaust from trucks, ships and other vehicles.<ref>[http://www.edf.org/transportation/diesel EDF: Cleaning up dirty diesel exhaust] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831195326/http://www.edf.org/transportation/diesel |date=2012-08-31 }}</ref>
* '''2002''' – Initiated the campaign to remove the [[O'Shaughnessy Dam (California)|O'Shaughnessy Dam]] in [[Hetch Hetchy Valley]] in [[Yosemite National Park]].<ref>
"Dam Dispute Losses a Flood of Emotions," by John M. Glionna, ''The Los Angeles Times'', August 11, 2007.</ref><ref>"An Effort to Undo an Old Reservoir," by Dean E. Murphy, ''The New York Times'', October 15, 2002.
"Bring Back Hetch Hetchy?" ''The New York Times'', October 19, 2002.
</ref>
* '''2004''' – Culmination of four-year partnership with [[FedEx]] to develop and deploy [[hybrid electric]] trucks. The new vehicles cut [[smog]]-forming pollution by 65%, reduce soot by 96%, and move 57% farther on a gallon of fuel.
* '''2006''' – Co-authored the California [[Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006]] with [[Natural Resources Defense Council]].<ref>
{{cite news|last=Barringer|first=Felicity|title=Officials Reach California Deal to Cut Emissions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/31/washington/31warming.html|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=3 March 2013|date=2006-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Barringer|first=Felicity|title=California, Taking Big Gamble, Tries to Curb Greenhouse Gases|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/15/us/15energy.html|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=3 March 2013|date=2006-09-15}}</ref> 
* '''2006''' – Led adoption of catch shares, a science-based method to manage fishing and control fish population decline.<ref>"Report: Guaranteed fish shares may prevent overfishing," ''USA Today'', Updated 9/18/2008.[https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2008-09-18-overfishing-fish-shares_N.htm]</ref><ref name="costello" />
* '''2007''' – Co-founded United States [[Climate Action Partnership]] (US-CAP), a coalition of major corporations and environmental groups supporting action on global warming, including a [[market-based]] [[carbon emissions]] cap. Corporate participants include [[GE]], [[DuPont]] and [[Duke Energy]]; non-profit groups involved are [[Pew Center on Global Climate Change]], [[Natural Resources Defense Council]] and the [[World Resources Institute]], a co-founder.<ref>
"A Coalition for Firm Limit on Emissions," by Felicity Barringer, ''The New York Times'', January 19, 2007.</ref><ref>"The Executive: David Yarnold," Environmental Defense Fund website, posted 2008-02-02, retrieved 2012-02-07 http://apps.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=7656{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''2007''' – Helped negotiate an environmental codicil as part of [[Texas Pacific]]'s buyout of [[TXU Energy|TXU]].<ref>
"Energy Firm Accepts $45 Billion Takeover; Buyers Made Environmental Pledge," by Steven Mufson and David Cho, ''The Washington Post'', February 26, 2007.</ref><ref>
"A $45 Billion Buyout With Many Shades of Green," by Andrew Ross Sorkin, ''The New York Times'', February 26, 2007.</ref>
* '''2008–2011''' – Founded and developed the Climate Corps program, which matches organizations with MBA and MPA students to uncover energy savings.<ref>[http://www.edf.org/edf-climate-corps-saving-cash-and-earth EDF: Climate Corps saving cash and Earth]</ref><ref>"Climate Corps interns help businesses save energy," ''San Francisco Chronicle'', March 16, 2011 [http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Climate-Corps-interns-help-businesses-save-energy-2388639.php]</ref>
* '''2011''' – Successful campaign to clean up highly-polluting heating oil in New York City.<ref>"MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN FINANCING AND NEW RESOURCES TO HELP BUILDINGS CONVERT TO CLEAN HEATING FUELS AND IMPROVE NEW YORK CITY AIR QUALITY," NYC.gov, June 13, 2012 [http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2012a%2Fpr212-12.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622145427/http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2012a%2Fpr212-12.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1|date=2012-06-22}}</ref><ref>"New York City Finances Switch to Cleaner Heating Oils," ''The New York Times'' "Green" blog, June 13, 2012 [http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/new-york-offers-financing-for-a-switch-from-dirty-heating-oils/]</ref>
* '''2011''' – Built coalition to defeat [[California Proposition 23 (2010)|Proposition 23]], an industry-backed ballot initiative that would have blocked California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32).<ref>"Voters Reject 2-Sided Assault on Climate Law," ''The New York Times'', November 3, 2010 [https://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/11/03/03climatewire-voters-reject-2-sided-assault-on-climate-law-13439.html?pagewanted=all]</ref>

==Criticism==
EDF has drawn criticism for its ties to large corporations including [[McDonald's]], [[FedEx]], [[Walmart]],<ref>{{cite web|title=CorpWatch: Greenwashing Walmart|url=http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=15707}}</ref> and the Texas energy company [[TXU Energy|TXU]], with which the organization has negotiated to reduce emissions and develop more environmentally friendly business practices. EDF's philosophy is that it is willing to talk with big business and try new approaches in order to get environmental results.<ref>
"The Nation: For the Environment, Compassion Fatigue," by Keith Schneider, ''The New York Times'', November 6, 1994</ref><ref>
"Climate shift: some environmental groups are sitting down with big business. But others say the fate of the planet is non-negotiable," by Daniels Brook, ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', March 18, 2007</ref>

===Fisheries conservation===
A 2009 op-ed piece by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman's Association in the trade journal ''Fishermen's News'' argues that EDF's approach to fisheries policy in the Pacific Northwest is likely to damage smaller, local operators who have an interest in protecting [[fishery|fisheries]] and limiting [[by-catch]]. Many fishermen fear that the approach gives a competitive advantage to larger, non-local operations, jeopardizing independent operators, including boats, fisheries, and ports.<ref>
AND THE BIG FOOL SAID "MARCH ON"
Groundfish Ratz and the Fate of Coastal Fishing Communities {{cite web |url=http://www.pcffa.org/fn-aug09.htm |title=PCFFA Fishermen's News Column, August 2009: Crab Rationalization and the Fate of Coastal Fishing Communities |access-date=2009-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713142344/http://www.pcffa.org/fn-aug09.htm |archive-date=2010-07-13 }}</ref>

EDF argues that the way we manage our fisheries needs to change if we want to protect fishermen, fish, and coastal communities. In a report suggesting economic waste in some of the world's commercial fisheries,<ref>{{cite news|title=Fisheries waste costs billions|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7660011.stm|access-date=21 June 2011|newspaper=BBC News|date=8 October 2008}}</ref> EDF advocates an approach:<ref name="costello">{{cite journal|last=Costello|first=Christopher|author2=Steven D. Gaines |author3=John Lynham |title=Can Catch Shares Prevent Fisheries Collapse?|journal=Science|date=19 September 2008|volume=321|issue=5896|pages=1678–1681|doi=10.1126/science.1159478|pmid=18801999|bibcode=2008Sci...321.1678C|s2cid=24879449}}</ref> [[catch share]]s, which sets a scientifically based limit on the total amount of fish that can be caught; that amount is then divided among individuals or groups, who can sell their shares or lease them to fishermen. EDF suggests that concern about consolidation or corporate ownership of fisheries is unwarranted.<ref name="sustaining">{{cite web|title=Sustaining America's Fisheries and Fishing Communities: An Evaluation of Incentive-Based Management|url=http://www.edf.org/documents/6119_sustainingfisheries.pdf|publisher=Environmental Defense Fund}}</ref>

EDF has been accused of funding and disseminating studies<ref name="cironline.org">{{cite web|title=System turns US fishing rights into commodity, squeezes small fishermen|url=http://cironline.org/reports/system-turns-us-fishing-rights-commodity-squeezes-small-fishermen-4250|access-date=2013-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315212121/http://cironline.org/reports/system-turns-us-fishing-rights-commodity-squeezes-small-fishermen-4250|archive-date=2013-03-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> that utilize questionable science and economics<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bromley |first=Daniel W.|author-link=Daniel Bromley |title=Abdicating Responsibility: The Deceits of Fisheries Policy |journal=Fisheries |year=2009 |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=280–290 |doi=10.1577/1548-8446-34.6.280 |bibcode=2009Fish...34..280B |url=http://www.fishsec.org/downloads/1237996663_49692.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317233112/http://www.fishsec.org/downloads/1237996663_49692.pdf |archive-date=2015-03-17 |citeseerx=10.1.1.557.1944}}</ref> in their promotion of catch share fishery management. Also, they have employed substantial political lobbying<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?|id=D000033473|year=2012|title=Environmental Defense Fund}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Senate KOs bid to stop catch shares|url=http://www.gloucestertimes.com/fishing/x1265048775/U-S-Senate-KOs-bid-to-stop-catch-shares|newspaper=Gloucester Times}}</ref> to promote fisheries policies that tend to force out smaller fishing businesses in favor of consolidated, corporate owned fleets,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brewer|first=J. F.|title=J. F. Brewer, Paper Fish and Policy Conflict: Catch Shares and Ecosystem-Based|journal=Ecology and Society|year=2011|volume=16|issue=1|doi=10.5751/ES-03765-160115|doi-access=free|hdl=10535/7517|hdl-access=free}}</ref> while denying any adverse effects these programs have on fishing families and communities.<ref name="Grimm 2011">{{cite journal|last=Grimm|first=Dietmar|title=Assessing catch shares' effects evidence from Federal United States|year=2011}}</ref>

EDF has held meetings with private investors<ref>{{cite web|title=Milken Institute Global Conference|url=http://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/ftp/pdf/public_comment/20110830_Helliwell_email_2_attachment_1_of_2.pdf}}</ref> where their West Coast vice president, David Festa, promoted the purchase of fishing rights as an investment that can yield 400% profits, and "options value" despite its claims<ref name="Grimm 2011"/> that these rights are designed to provide financial incentives for the fishermen themselves. Multiple non-profit organizations have expressed repeated frustrations<ref>{{cite web|title=A cautionary Tale|url=http://ecotrust.ca/fisheries/study-cautions}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Distorting Catch Share Criticism |url=http://www.gloucestertimes.com/fishing/x46885704/Distorting-catch-share-criticism |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411010815/http://www.gloucestertimes.com/fishing/x46885704/Distorting-catch-share-criticism |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-11 }}</ref> with EDF and its promotion of these management policies. Recent studies<ref>{{cite journal|last=Essington|first=Timothy|title=Catch shares, fisheries, and ecological stewardship: a comparative analysis of resource responses to a rights-based policy instrument|journal=Seattle School of Aquatic Fisheries Science|year=2012|volume=5 |issue=3 |page=186 |doi=10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00226.x |bibcode=2012ConL....5..186E |hdl=11336/72527|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Essington|first=T. E.|title=Catch Shares Improve Consistency, not Health, of Fisheries|journal=Lenfest Ocean Program|year=2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Catch Shares: A Useful Tool with Limits|url=http://mikemelnychuk.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/lenfest_catchshares_final.pdf}}</ref> show that despite EDF's claims, catch shares do not end overfishing and typically result in no long term environmental gains.

The Environmental Defense Fund supports the [[Rigs-to-Reefs]] program in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], in which former offshore oil production platforms are converted to permanent artificial reefs. The EDF sees the program as a way to preserve the existing reef habitat of the oil platforms.<ref>Jack Sterne, [http://blogs.edf.org/edfish/2012/04/24/edf-stands-with-fishermen-in-calling-for-suspension-of-rig-removal-policy/ "EDF stands with fishermen in calling for suspension of rig removal policy"], ''EDF Oceans'', 24 Apr. 2012.</ref>

===Natural gas===
EDF sees natural gas as a way to quickly replace coal, with the idea that gas in time will be replaced by renewable energy.<ref>EDF, [http://www.edf.org/climate/why-natural-gas-important Why natural gas is important], accessed 4 Oct. 2013.</ref> The organization presses for stricter environmental controls on gas drilling and [[hydraulic fracturing]], without banning them.<ref>EDF, [http://www.edf.org/energy/natural-gas-policy Natural gas policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011010/http://www.edf.org/energy/natural-gas-policy |date=2013-10-05 }}, accessed 4 Oct. 2013.</ref> In November 2013, after negotiations with the oil industry, EDF representatives joined spokesmen for [[Anadarko Petroleum]], [[Noble Energy]], and [[Encana]], to endorse Colorado governor [[John Hickenlooper]]'s proposed tighter regulation of emissions of volatile organic compounds by oil and gas production.<ref>Cathy Proctor, [http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2013/11/colorado-unveils-new.html "Colorado unveils proposed oil and gas air quality rules" (Video)], ''Denver Business Journal'', 18 Nov. 2013.</ref> EDF has funded studies jointly with the petroleum industry on the environmental effects of natural gas production. The policy has been criticized by some environmentalists.<ref>Larry Bernstein, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/environmental-defense-fund-scolded-by-other-green-organizations/2013/05/22/edb93980-c31f-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html Environmental Defense Fund scolded by other green organizations on 'fracking'], Washington Post, 22 May 2013.</ref> EDF counsel and blogger Mark Brownstein answered:<ref>Mark Brownstein, [http://blogs.edf.org/energyexchange/2012/09/10/why-edf-is-working-on-natural-gas/ Why EDF is working on natural gas], 10 Sept. 2012</ref>

<blockquote>Demand for natural gas is not going away, and neither is hydraulic fracturing. We must be clear-eyed about this, and fight to protect public health and the environment from unacceptable impacts. We must also work hard to put policies in place that ensure that natural gas serves as an enabler of renewable power generation, not an impediment to it. We fear that those who oppose all natural gas production everywhere are, in effect, making it harder for the U.S. economy to wean itself from dirty coal.</blockquote>

==See also==
{{Portal|Environment|Ecology|Earth sciences|Energy}}
*[[Sustainability]]
*[[Biodiversity]]
*[[Global warming]]
*[[Recycling]]
*[[Ecology]]
*[[Earth Science]]
*[[Natural environment]]
*[[Natural landscape]]
*''[[Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency]]''
* [[Environmental history of the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

==External links==
* [https://www.edf.org/ Environmental Defense Fund]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060406014945/http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/ Fightglobalwarming.com] (In partnership with the Ad Council)
* [https://environmentaldefence.ca/ Environmental Defence Canada]
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/envirodefensefund YouTube channel]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Environmental organizations established in 1967]]
[[Category:International environmental organizations]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City]]
[[Category:Environmental organizations based in New York City]]