One of the questions I get asked the most is how to become more involved in environmental activism. My favorite and most recommended way is to donate to the causes and organizations you care about most. These donations allow them to continue to fight for important causes! Pro tip: if you're able to, set up a recurring monthly donation! This will allow the organization to base the money they will have coming in and plan accordingly.
Something that's important to remember when looking for organizations and causes to support is to do your research! Make sure these are organizations committed to actively making a difference. Research their causes, what changes they are trying to enact, and how they've contributed to the movement.
Another good thing to remember is that charities and non-profits can also be found in your local area. Often times, these are the ones who need help the most! Some of my favorite local charities and non-profits that I personally love include the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, Texas for Clean Water, and Preserve Our Hill Country Environment.
Additionally, different organizations arise that address immediate and urgent hot topics. One organization that is currently making serious headway is the Line 3 Water Protectors via Honor Earth. Enbridge's Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline poses immediate danger to the Indigenous treaty rights of the Anishinaabe people as it would directly cross the territory where the Anishinaabe people retain to hunt, fish, and harvest. Line 3 would also span 227 lakes and rivers, putting waterways at a direct risk of a spill from the 760,000 barrels of tar sands oil that flow through Line 3 each day. Donations to this organization help those directly on the frontlines of this dangerous environmental issue. Donate here!
When choosing organizations to donate to, I encourage you to think outside of the box. The environmental change (and overall human rights change) we need starts with our government leadership. That is why my most important recurring donation is to Wolf PAC. Wolf PAC is committed to fighting for free and fair elections, and to get money out of politics. This is what I believe to be the single most important thing we can do to get our politicians to advocate on OUR behalf as opposed to those who fund their campaigns and fill their pockets. Donate here!
Need some charity recommendations? Check out these below:
Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest environmental law organization. They specialize in using the law to protect the health of the people, preserve wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Their organization has over 150 full-time lawyers, in addition to legal and research analysts, policy experts, staff scientists, and many more committed to serving and protecting our nation. Donate here!
The Intersectional Environmentalist (IE) strives to promote an inclusive form of environmentalism; one that advocates for the protection of ALL people and the planet. IE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All financial support is used to curate topic tags, pay BIPOC writers for their personal stories, IE programming and so much more. Donate here!
Founded in 1988 the Rainforest Trust purchases and protects threatened rainforests and endangered wildlife through community engagement and partnerships. To date, they have helped to protect 37 million acres! Donate here!
The Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) was established in 2013 with the aims to unite frontline communities and organizations to take on the climate movement. The alliance aims to inspire and organize action in communities to challenge the economies harming people and ecosystems; and confront the governments and industry to do their part in tackling climate change. Donate here!
The Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance that includes more than 1,200 organizations, businesses, and thought leaders in 75 different countries. Together, they work towards building a world free of plastic pollution and the toxic impact on the surrounding human and animal environments, and ecosystem. Donate here!
Established in 1969, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), is an internationally recognized, non-partisan research and education center. Their goal is to strengthen environmental protection by improving law and governance worldwide. Donate here!
The Environmental Investigation Agency's (EIA) mission is to protect the environment with intelligence. The EIA works to achieve change in the global economy in order to make local and sustainable management of the world's natural resources. The EIA produces primary evidence and analysis of environmental problems to build lasting alliances, institutions, and policies to implement solutions. Donate here!
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is made of a community of 30 million individuals that work to protect environmental health by changing industry standards. The EWG is made up of scientists, policy experts, lawyers, and communications and data experts that work to reform chemical safety and agricultural laws. They push industries and governments to adopt healthier standards and stand against dangerous chemicals of concern. EWG also serves to educate consumers with the information to take action and demand safer products. Donate here!