Day 2: Join a Climate-Focused Organization
Welcome to Day 2! If you missed yesterday’s newsletter, you can read it here.
The most important thing an individual can do is be a little less of an individual and join together with others in movements large enough to make change.
— Bill McKibben, 350.org founder
Although 80 percent of Americans agree that the fossil fuel industry is either mostly/completely responsible or somewhat responsible for the climate crisis, the rich, powerful industry—and its bought-and-paid-for politicians—continue to fight meaningful action on the climate crisis, even in the face of 2021’s record tornados, wildfires, floods, heatwaves and droughts.
But if you signed up for this 30-day challenge, you already know all of this. And you may also know that we already have the solutions at hand to mitigate the worst effects of the changing climate—and many of them are being implemented now. What we lack is the political will to ramp up these solutions at the speed which the crisis demands. By getting involved with a climate-focused organization, you’ll work with other concerned citizens to collectively pressure governments to adopt the kinds of policies we need.
And you’ll also likely personally benefit. I belong to a local chapter affiliated with 350.org. When the IPCC’s latest report came out last summer, my 350 group happened to be meeting that night for its monthly letter-writing Zoom session. Spending an hour with like-minded people that evening while emailing our elective representatives to urge them to take bold action on climate was an antidote to climate despair and anxiety. Everyone is different but for me, taking action helps me retain my sanity.
Perhaps you’d prefer to do something other than write your representatives. Whatever your talents, you’ll find a climate organization that needs them—from drafting social media posts, to emailing newsletters and issuing press releases, to web development and maintenance, to fundraising, to participating in climate strikes. If you don’t have hours to donate, please donate money if you can (or donate both).
The following are just some of the many grassroots organizations pushing for climate action. A few of the groups on the US-centric list are international. Please join one (or join one not listed here) and get involved.
The most difficult part of today’s task will be narrowing down your choice!
Please leave a comment or question for everyone taking this 30-day challenge. How did today’s task go? Do you have any advice for others trying to choose a group? Do you recommend a group that isn’t on the list?
Read NATURE’s BEST HOPE by Douglas Tallamy… start in our own yards!
Green America has programs to promote environmental preservation and on the improvement of human rights, in the areas of food, finance, labor, and climate.