Earthworks

Earthworks is committed is to stopping the destructive impacts of extractive industries. We believe that no mining or drilling should occur if it would harm human health, water, air quality, the surrounding environment, or the global climate. We work in close partnership with affected communities, and we are committed to elevating the stories of people in harm's way from destructive mining.

Energy Program: We focus on protecting clean water and air, preventing climate impacts, and defending community health from the effects of fossil fuel extraction.

Mining Program: We partner with grassroots groups in the US and globally to protect communities, biodiversity and water resources from the impacts of irresponsible mining, and to promote the responsible production and sourcing of metals.

Earthworks pursues a range of strategies on the federal, state, and local levels, including research to expose problems with, and impacts from, mining and oil and gas development; direct outreach to policymakers and regulators to advance protective measures; and campaigns that engage citizens in creating pressure for change.

Earthworks' Energy Program combines grassroots organizing with impact analysis, regulatory reform and direct challenges to destructive oil and gas development. Our staff engage with policymakers, conduct scientific research, educate and support community members, and at times litigate in order to achieve our goals.

Earthworks' Mining Program collaborates with grassroots groups to protect special places, communities and biodiversity from mining's impacts, improve corporate practices, reform government policies, influence investment decisions and encourage responsible materials production, sourcing and consumption.

Energy Program: Our staff is well-respected for their expertise on oil and gas issues by policy-makers, elected officials, the media, other NGOs, impacted communities, and citizens directly affected by oil and gas operations. Our network includes more than 136 organizations nationwide in more than 25 states. In all of the regions where we work, Earthworks staff are active members of statewide coalitions, providing resources and helping to advance protective regulation and legislation on issues ranging from surface owner rights to watershed protection.

Mining Program: Earthworks is the leading hardrock mining expert and reform advocate among national and grassroots NGOs. We work in close partnership with affected communities, and we are committed to elevating the stories of people in harm's way from destructive mining. Our staff and board members include leading experts in the technical, scientific, legal, and policy issues surrounding mining.

• Wilderness preserved: Montana’s Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, with its Outstanding Resource Waters, bull trout, and grizzly bears, has not been despoiled by copper and silver mines. Earthworks recently won 2 lawsuits to stop approval of mining permits in this unique and beautiful habitat.

• Climate progress defended: The Trump administration and Congress have attacked environmental standards designed to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates short-term climate change. Yet most of these regulations remain on the books after a failed Congressional repeal vote and the EPA and Department of Interior announced their intentions to roll them back, thanks to lobbying, protests, petitions, testimony, public comments, and lawsuits.

• Regulators and corporations held accountable: Earthworks has helped concerned residents file complaints against state regulators. Our complaints have resulted in a series of investigations, enforcement actions, and fines.