Planetary Advocates
Planetary Advocates is a left-of-center environmental media nonprofit founded by LeeAnn “Missy” Lahren and Maximilian De Armon. The organization has produced documentary films, including The Future of Energy: Lateral Power to the People, which interviewed left-of-center environmental figures such as Bill McKibben and Jeremy Rifkin about communities across the United States and their use of energy and natural resources. 1
Contents
Missy Lahren has worked in environmental protection in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1993 as an activist, lawyer, producer, and writer, and as of September 2025 is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Earth Law Center, a legal advocacy organization that promotes legislation which treats “nature as an [legal] entity” through education and policy advocacy. 2 Lahren’s activism has focused on eco-justice, natural resource rights, and activist media. 3 Maximilian De Armon has experience in film production and media, collaborating with Lahren and others in writing, producing, and has directed projects with left-of-center environmental and educational themes. 4
Advocacy
Planetary Advocates describes itself as a non-profit educational organization. The organization focuses on producing films and other media with the intent of advancing left-of-center policy positions about the environment. Some titles include The Future of Energy: Lateral Power to the People, The Climate Paradox, and Cogdissonex. 5
The Future of Energy: Lateral Power to the People features various political-environmental figures such as Bill McKibben, founder of the left-of-center environmentalist activist organization 350.org; and Jeremy Rifkin, described as a “far-left environmental activist opposing capitalism and technology” and “a highly influential economic advisor to global government leaders”. 6 7 The film was praised by Michael Brune, the former Executive Director of the left-of-center environmentalist foundation Sierra Club, who described the film as being “about the clean energy revolution happening right now… By the final credits, you’ll know both how and why renewable energy is the cleanest, quickest, cheapest, and safest way to supply all of our energy needs.” 8
Planetary Advocates further outlines a three-part Advocacy Plan towards pushing left-of-center environmental policies around specific entities and groups such as, students, individuals, businesses, investors, and government officials. For students and individuals, the organization encourages what it describes as “building resilient communities” by engaging in left-of-center grassroots advocacy through local renewable energy projects and promoting lifestyle changes aligned with left-of-center ideas about sustainability. 9
For businesses and investors, Planetary Advocates calls for “investing in the new energy economy.” The plan urges financial and corporate leaders to take a left-of-center approach that places environmental priorities above traditional market incentives, such as moving capital away from fossil fuels, supporting renewable infrastructure, and adopting practices which “align profits with sustainability.” 10
For government officials, the plan highlights the need to “adopt 100% renewable energy policies” and “phase out fossil fuel subsidies.” Planetary Advocates prioritizes government intervention to establish left-of-center environmental policy. The plan frames legislative action as central to achieving its goals, urging leaders to establish mandates and regulatory standards that accelerate renewable adoption. 11
Finances
The IRS classifies Planetary Advocates as an Environmental N.E.C. organization. Planetary Advocates filed as a community trust in their 2015 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2017, the last year of their reported filings, Planetary Advocates filed a form 990-EZ indicating an annual revenue under $50,000 and no requirement to report exact earnings. Planetary Advocates federal tax-exempt status was automatically revoked in 2021 for failing to file a Form 990-series return for three years, and as of September 2025, the organization has not had its tax-exempt status reinstated. 12
Leadership
LeeAnn “Missy” Lahren and Maximilian De Armon are the co-founders of Planetary Advocates. Lahren has previously worked as an environmental activist, writer and producer, and has been involved with media projects on rights of nature as well as “eco-justice” and climate advocacy. Lahren has also described herself as a lawyer and has been featured in the media reporting on her work as an environmental attorney. 13 However, according to the California State Bar, Lahren’s license status became “Inactive” in 2006 and as of 2025, Lahren is barred from practicing law in the state for failing to pay fees on time. 14