World Environment day, June 2, is approaching. And we have readers every day emailing us about what they can do to do their part. The best guide we can offer is to look to the larger and established sustainability and environment organizations to follow the key issues they believe are worth supporting. We are listing American ones, because a majority of our readers are in the US.
First up Greenpeace. Yes they have done radical things in the past. But they get the world listening. They have eyes and ears on the ground and on ships and underwater around the world. They aren’t afraid of calling out environmental criminals. If serious activism is your thing, join the Greenpeace movement. Just be careful: don’t get arrested. Some of their activities include vandalism, and you could find yourself in jail. Meet a Middle Easterner Rafeah and learn about her work with the org.
The Sierra Club. A gentler approach, the Sierra Club was started by conservationist John Muir in 1892, and it now America’s most influential grassroots environmental organization — with more than two million members and supporters. Their successes range from protecting wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
There are a tremendous number of international eco organizations that can guide you through fulfilling your urge to help the planet. There are ones that specialize on animals, global warming or international relations or international work. Check some others out below that could apply to peacemaking Green Prophets!
Earth System Governance Project consists of a network of about 2,300 scholars from all continents. The project has evolved into the largest social science research network in the area of governance and global environmental change.
Global Environment Facility is one for people with diplomacy in mind: it unites 183 countries to partners in international institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the most influential body of international scientists and specialists who report on and access the risk and possibility for mitigating the effects of climate change.
International Union for Conservation of Nature reports on the status of our natural world globally, offering insight and tools on how to protect it.
United Nations Environment Programme is the United Nations agency that coordinates environmental activities for the global organization, and which assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices to protect our planet. Most of the time though, members seem to be on holiday.
Don’t dream it, be it!
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
