International Rivers
INTERNATIONAL Rivers is a non-profit, non-governmental, environmental and human rights organization based in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1985 by a host of social and environmental activists, International Rivers (IR) works with a global network of policy and financial analysts, scientists, journalists, development specialists, local citizens and volunteers to address destructive dams and their legacies in over 60 countries.
In addition to the United States, IR has staff in Cameroon, Thailand, Brazil and Germany. IR’s staff has expertise in a broad range of issues and uses research, education and advocacy to achieve the organization’s mission.
Mission
International Rivers’ self-stated mission is to:
- protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them
- actively oppose the unsustainable development model that dams perpetuate
- promote viable solutions for meeting water, energy and flood-management needs.
The organization is dedicated to empowering dam-affected people with the tools to participate in the process of development of local lands in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
By facilitating international grassroots organizing and informed participation, IR seeks to change the terms of the debate over river development.
Activities
The group works with its numerous partners to advocate for social reparations, ecological restoration and decommissioning of existing dams.
Further, IR states that it continuously works to remove the opacity from the top-down decision-making that traditionally surrounds large infrastructure projects.
They also seek to block the hydropower industry from exploiting people’s concerns about climate change, and make clear that reservoirs often produce greenhouse gas emissions that further impact on the environment.
For additional information about this highly respected group visit the International Rivers website.
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