Environmental Defense Fund

Environmental Defense Fund in the United States

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in Environmental Law

A membership organization dedicated to addressing environmental problems. Its slogan is “The Power of Positive Solutions.” EDF has been a powerful force in shaping environmental law since Fred Krupp and others formed it in 1967. Its members lobby for legislation, get involved in developing regulations, and use lawsuits against violators and the government. Its staff consists of both ecologists and lawyers, which gives it the capability to both analyze scientific data and litigate. Though it is not the only organization to recognize the benefits of the marriage of law and science, it has used both disciplines effectively.

The EDF, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council, has successfully challenged the Environmental Protection Agency when it did not produce regulations required by statutes, disputed the content of regulations, and forced agreements by aggressive actions. It has also been active in citizen suits, taking companies to court for violations when the agency did not enforce the law.

One difference between EDF and some of the deep ecology groups such as Earth First! is its willingness to work with the people who are subject to environmental regulation to craft alternative approaches. An example of unconventional cooperation occurred through the influence of Krupp, who developed a task force to find a substitute for the polystyrene used for McDonald’s packaging. Eventually, the company converted to paper. The EDF also provided the George Bush administration with the system of credits that eventually became part of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The EDF saw market based pollution credits, vigorously opposed by many environmental groups, as an acceptable alternative to the old method of pollution control. See also acid rain.
Based on “Environment and the Law. A Dictionary”.


Posted

in

, ,

by

Tags:

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *