Dear John

It’s the end of a busy year and I want to say a huge thank you for everything you’ve done with us. We hope you have a fun-filled holiday.

Before we take a short pause this month, you can help us by spreading festive cheer with our paperless ecards.

If you’ve missed the last post or want to surprise a loved one with a cute wintry hedgehog in their inbox, then our selection of ecards is perfect. You can send one for free – or add a donation if you want.

However you support us – whether it’s by sending an ecard, generously donating, taking action with us, or spreading the word about our campaigns – it all makes a difference.

Taking a stand for people and planet has many ups and downs. But let’s end 2023 on a high.

We’ve achieved so much together over the last year, and you can watch people across Friends of the Earth sharing some of these successes in the video below. But first here are a few stories to wrap up a year of campaigning together.

First up, you helped us stop 2 coal mines in Wales – Ffos y Fran and Glan Lash. Thanks to your support, we were able to help local communities take on this powerful industry and win.

With your help, we stopped the UK government getting rid of thousands of nature protection laws this December. These laws will now be reviewed over the next 3 years, and we’ll work to ensure they’re improved, not weakened.

This year, our network of local groups campaigning for warm homes has gone from strength to strength. Last month, they turned out in force for the Warm Homes national day of action. Your support has already helped our groups get local MPs' backing for affordable bills and insulated homes powered by renewables for everyone.

And finally, because of you our legal team has had another busy year defending people and planet. Our lawyers are challenging the government’s weak climate strategy for a second time. We won the first time so we believe we can win again in 2024.

Also, we were at the Supreme Court supporting a community group challenging oil drilling at Horse Hill in Surrey. If we win, this case could help stop other new UK fossil fuel projects from going ahead. That includes the proposed new Cumbrian coal mine that we’re taking on in court too.

Plus, our newest legal case challenges the government's poor climate adaptation strategy. We're working side by side with people affected by climate impacts in the UK.

One of these people is Kevin Jordan. His home was a few metres from an eroding cliff edge before it was demolished a few weeks ago. Even though his house was lost, we're ready to support Kevin as a co-claimant on this case.

None of this would’ve been possible without supporters like you. This movement is powered by your donations, petition signatures and sharing our work with your friends.

Action for climate and nature gets more urgent every year. So we’re gearing up for another big one in 2024. Our passionate campaigners, lawyers and local action groups are ready to keep fighting for people and planet.

We’re so grateful for your dedicated and generous support. A heartfelt thank you from all of us at Friends of the Earth.

That’s all from me for this year. I hope you enjoy the festivities!

Aleanna

Supporter Relations Manager

PS Here's our video, where we share this year’s highlights and our gratitude for everything you’ve helped make happen.