Highlights

Environment

Success stories from the Avaaz movement worldwide

AVAAZ
Avaaz is closing the gap between the world we have and the world we want, one campaign at a time

Rainforest Protection

Rainforest Protection

Guarding the Amazon

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  • November 2011
  • Over 500,000 petition signatures
Half a million of us joined more than 1,000 indigenous protesters in demanding that Bolivian President Evo Morales halt construction of a highway that would slice through the heart of the Amazon. Avaaz staff met at length with top Bolivian cabinet ministers in a stormy meeting and our widespread solidarity strengthened the hand of the indigenous protesters. The pressure worked! After our campaign, Morales canceled construction, repealed the decision granting permission for the project, and pledged to protect the impacted TIPNIS national park and indigenous territory – the crown jewel of the Bolivian Amazon – forever! It was a huge victory; and if Morales ever tries to bring the project back from the dead, we’ll be there to stop him.

Food Safety

Food Safety

Keeping EU Food Safe and GMO Free

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  • December 2010
  • 1 Million signatures for food safety
Over 1 million people from every country in the EU took part in the first-ever European Citizens' Initiative – a process allowing people to lodge official petitions that require a response. Avaaz members called for an immediate freeze on genetically modified crops entering the EU until objective studies free from industry influence could show they were safe. The initiative sent a clear message to officials that Europe would not be force-fed unsafe food.

Global push

Global push

Protecting the Whales

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  • July 2010
  • 1.3 million petition signatures
In 2010, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) unveiled a proposal to legalise the slaughter and sale of whales, effectively overturning the decades-old ban on whaling. Together, Avaaz members built a massive campaign to stop the proposal – it was signed by an extraordinary 1.3 million of us worldwide. The petition was delivered to the IWC meeting in front of the world’s media. The proposal collapsed and the 24-year-old whaling ban was upheld.

It was a huge victory for whales, but Japan and others continue to exploit IWC loopholes. To win permanently, we’ll need to work together to strengthen and reform the Commission, and mobilise in countries with pro-whaling governments.

MASSIVE IMPACT

MASSIVE IMPACT

Saving the Oceans

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  • APRIL 2010
  • 221,000 ACTIONS FROM 223 COUNTRIES
The UK announced its plan to double the total global area of protected ocean with a massive new conservation zone bigger than Germany and Italy combined. In the public comment period before the decision, Avaaz members contributed more than 85% of the responses, urging a ban on commercial fishing and support for the island peoples' rights.

The UK Foreign Ministry cited the "over 221,000 responses co-ordinated by Avaaz ... from 223 countries" in its announcement. It was a major step forward, but continued pressure is needed to ensure a just outcome for Chagossian Islanders and Mauritius – and to further protect oceans from overfishing.

Tipping point

Tipping point

Endangered Elephants

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  • March 2010
  • 500,000 signatures
At risk from poaching and habitat loss, elephants weren’t even on the endangered species list. But more than 500,000 of us worldwide took a stand alongside the African Elephant Coalition. After a nail-biting close vote and final push with partners on the ground, we won protection for elephants at a UN Endangered Species session.

The head of the Species Survival Network said: “the petition, no doubt, made a difference and helped achieve the right result for elephants everywhere."

Global Climate Action

The Global Climate Wake-up Call

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  • 21 SEPTEMBER 2009
  • 2682 EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
In 2009, Avaaz members and partners joined together to issue a deafening climate wake-up call to world leaders. At more than 2,600 events in 135 countries we called for changes to climate policy, demanding that leaders take the health of our planet seriously.

From signs and chants to creative demonstrations, we came together to make sure the world knew that time was ticking, the alarm was sounding, and action was necessary. The media couldn’t ignore our call, and neither could world leaders. Words can't describe it -- but this video gets close

Rainforest Protection

Rainforest Protection

The Lungs of the Planet

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  • June 2009
  • 44,000 calls and messages
In 2009, Brazil was on the verge of passing a law that would have handed over a large portion of the Amazon rainforest to agribusiness for exploitation. In just two days, Avaaz members in Brazil made 14,000 phone calls and sent 30,000 online messages to President Lula's office. At the 11th hour, public pressure succeeded. We killed the bill and saved the forest.

Outcry for truth

Outcry for truth

Swine Flu and Factory Farms

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  • May 2009
  • 225,000 petition signatures
At the onset of the H1N1 panic, a WHO scientist told Avaaz that research was needed into the possible role factory farming played in breeding the virus. The problem: the industrial meat lobby had blocked research for years. Avaaz stepped in. We brought a herd of 225 cardboard pigs to the World Health Organization, representing the 225,000 signatures on a petition for adequate research.

Initially skeptical, WHO Food Safety and Zoonoses director, Dr. Jørgen Schlundt, changed course – agreeing that global regulations were essential. This was just the first step in the fight for adequate research and regulation.

Avaaz will continue to push hard for increased regulations -- click here to see photos and read the story