Earthqualizer's History
The story of Earthqualizer Foundation began in 2006 with Adriani Zakaria, a passionate Indonesian environmental advocate working alongside local NGOs in West Kalimantan. At the time, Adri was helping expose illegal land clearing and open burning by a major palm oil company. During this critical work, he met Eric Wakker, who was visiting from a European NGO to support a groundbreaking lawsuit. Their shared mission to protect forests and hold industries accountable sparked a deep and enduring collaboration.
With the launch of Google Earth that same year, Adri and Eric discovered the untapped power of satellite technology in uncovering the true scale of deforestation. Zooming in on forest landscapes, they spotted new roads slicing through pristine areas, undeniable evidence of rapid, unchecked land conversion. It was a turning point that proved how technology could transform environmental monitoring and advocacy.
By blending local knowledge with global framing, they began telling stories of deforestation that resonated far beyond Indonesia, linking land destruction to forest fires, climate change, and the loss of endangered species. Their work soon gained international attention, and in 2013, a major palm oil company invited them to assess its suppliers under a new “No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation” (NDPE) policy. Their findings uncovered widespread non-compliance and sparked a wave of transparency across the sector.
In early 2020, a pivotal decision marked the birth of a new chapter. Earthqualizer Foundation (EQ) was officially established in Indonesia, taking over the activities of a European NGO. This move allowed EQ to deepen its presence in key landscapes across Indonesia and Malaysia, bringing its mission closer to the ground.
Today, Earthqualizer is recognized for its real-time satellite monitoring, trusted environmental data, and meaningful engagement with both communities and corporations. Beyond palm oil, EQ now tracks a wider range of land-based commodities—including nickel, cocoa, coffee, and coconut—ensuring that deforestation, land conflicts, and environmental harm are made visible, measurable, and actionable.
The name “Earthqualizer” reflects our core purpose. Earth represents the planet we strive to protect. Equalizer reflects our mission to restore balance between people and nature, economy and ecology, and local voices and global systems. We believe sustainability is not just a destination, but a shared responsibility that begins from the ground up.
