From Antiracism Advocate in Burnley to Leading Friends of the Earth: Asad Rehman’s Inspiring Journey

Each morning in Burnley during the 1970s, children from the South Asian community would walk to school together. It wasn’t just a simple commute; it was a necessary safety measure. Among them was Asad Rehman, who arrived from Pakistan at age four. “We stayed close because it was dangerous alone,” he recalls. “Younger kids were in the middle, older kids on the outside, ready to protect them.”

School was no refuge. Racial slurs flew freely, and some students even performed Nazi salutes. Rehman and others often barricaded themselves in classrooms during lunch to avoid attacks. From this atmosphere emerged a powerful sense of community. Rehman recalls a pivotal moment of defiance when students decided to refuse attendance, declaring their schools unsafe. This act of unity sparked Rehman’s journey into activism.

His experiences inspired him to advocate for a collective strength. “We’re more powerful as a group than alone,” he says. This perspective shaped his future as he joined broader anti-racism movements across the UK.

Recently, Rehman took on a new role as chief executive of Friends of the Earth, a prominent environmental charity. Traditionally, organizations like this focused on biodiversity and climate, often symbolized by polar bears in peril. Today, discussions about climate change seamlessly integrate social and economic justice. Rehman emphasizes that climate change is intertwined with inequality and justice.

Friends of the Earth is the UK’s largest environmental advocacy group, boasting over 250,000 supporters and 233 local action groups. In 2024, they allocated more than £10 million towards various activism efforts, from court cases to local campaigns against harmful pesticides.

Despite its reputation for being less radical than some peers—often associated with bake sales rather than protests—the organization seeks to redefine itself under Rehman’s leadership. His previous experience at Friends of the Earth and as a racial justice campaigner has prepared him for this challenge.

In the late 1990s, Rehman worked with Amnesty UK to shift the focus of human rights activism, incorporating social and economic rights into the dialogue. This broader understanding was crucial as he witnessed firsthand the alarming signs of climate change in conversations with global activists. Many voiced concerns over environmental degradation that threatened their livelihoods.

Rehman’s first tenure at Friends of the Earth started in 2006, during a time when climate concerns were often seen as a future issue rather than an immediate threat. He was among the pioneers advocating for climate justice, aiming to elevate the voices of those affected in developing nations.

His candid approach didn’t always resonate with conventional environmental circles. One government official even branded him as part of a “climate Taliban” after meetings revealed their discomfort with his directness. Rehman insists that addressing these issues must involve fighting against racism and advocating for human rights.

Today, Rehman aims to enhance Friends of the Earth’s grassroots efforts, believing in the power of local groups. “We can make change happen,” he asserts. The organization previously championed significant legislative victories, like the world’s first Climate Change Act. Now, they’re gearing up to tackle new narratives that connect climate issues with societal inequities.

As the broader climate movement evolves, organizations like Friends of the Earth face both challenges and opportunities. Recent trends show an increased public awareness of environmental justice. Young activists are increasingly vocal, often taking to social media to discuss the links between climate change and social injustice—an interplay that Rehman hopes to highlight as he leads Friends of the Earth forward.

For relevant statistics on environmental activism and community health impacts, the Guardian reports that pollution levels are highly harmful to wildlife in a quarter of England’s neighborhoods, emphasizing an urgent need for change.



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