Indigenous and Frontline Communities Are Our Best Defense
The most effective and long lasting approach to preventing deforestation and the massive climate pollution it causes is to defend and uphold the territorial land rights of Indigenous peoples. RAN takes leadership and partners closely with Indigenous allies around the world to support their frontline fights to defend their communities from corporate exploitation and abusive government policies.
Support Communities
Indigenous and frontline communities suffer disproportionate impacts to their health, livelihoods, and culture from the effects of global climate change and from destructive and invasive extractive industries. Our work will have the greatest impact when it is in partnership and following the leadership of local communities. That’s why we try to provide direct support for and work in solidarity with frontline and Indigenous communities.
Community Struggles for Land Rights and Livelihoods in Singkil-Bengkung region
Tens of thousands of people depend on the intact forests of the Leuser Ecosystem and the area is rife with looming threats and unresolved conflicts between local communities and rogue palm oil plantation operators. The expansion of palm oil plantation companies has harmed community livelihoods by damaging local resources, including agricultural land such as rice fields, and has brought terror, intimidation and criminalization into the lives of local community members.
The Day After: And Tomorrow
Our Executive Director, Lindsey Allen’s perspective on the recent US Midterm Elections and what the results mean for the forests, climate, and our work.
The Human Cost of Forest Fabrics
Behind the shiny exteriors and glossy magazine advertisements of American fashion brands hides some disturbing truths. Communities like those in Pandumaan-Sipituhuta in Northern Sumatra, featured in the short film below…
Brutal Murder in APP Plantation
Underlines the need to understand and address severe land conflicts and the disconnect between policy commitments and real change on the ground. Last Friday afternoon, February 27th, Indra Pelani, a…
Death of Community Member in Sumatra Places Asia Pulp and Paper’s Social Responsibility Commitments in Question
Indra’s burial site. Photo by Walhi Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has recently learned of the tragic news that on Friday, February 27, 2015, Mr Indra Pelani, a resident of Lubuk…
Constant Conflict? Unresolved Land Disputes Still Haunt Asia Pulp and Paper
On-the-ground interviews with 17 affected Indonesian communities reveal policy implementation problems while hundreds of unresolved land conflicts remain Nearly two years after Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) made groundbreaking commitments…
Canada Approves Northern Gateway Pipeline, Opponents Vow Fierce Resistance
“We will defend our territories whatever the costs may be.” — Alliance of 31 First Nations This week, despite broad public opposition, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper approved Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline….
APRIL Makes A Mockery Of Its Own “Sustainable” Forest Policy
Almost six months after the release of its Sustainable Forest Management Policy, Asia Pacific Resources International Ltd (APRIL)—the second-largest Indonesian pulp & paper company—continues business-as-usual rainforest destruction, betraying the…