You know the saying, “There is strength in numbers.” This sentiment couldn’t be more true than when it applies to joining an environmental group. Covering everything from local to national issues, environmental groups help protect the world’s ecological networks and strive to educate and promote awareness.
Why join an environmental organization?
Joining a great green organization is fun and inspiring, and it will help you to achieve your own green goals. Your participation will also help to progress many green projects worldwide and spread awareness about the need to protect the environment from hazards like greenhouse gas emissions.
When looking for an organization to join, it can be helpful to visit several groups before making a commitment. See how much you enjoy the dynamics, organizational structure, and social “flavor” of each group. Then assess how close the group’s mission aligns with your own, and consider if the group’s activities would be fulfilling to you, or if they would leave you wishing you could work on different projects.
If you’re ready to do some serious “group buying”, not only will you find one that’s right for you, but will also learn a lot about what various groups are doing, and you may have new ideas to bring to the outstanding group that you ultimately choose.
And, yes, if it seems a bit intimidating to meet so many new people, bring along a good friend. As you compare groups together, you will be able to share your observations, and your friend may notice things about each group that you missed.
While it is certainly most enjoyable to join a group that has local meetings or outings, you can also benefit from joining an online group or by finding a worthy group to donate to.
Some of the most popular green organizations include the following:
Greenpeace was started more than 30 years ago by a group of activists seeking to protect Alaska from nuclear testing by the U.S. government. The group won its fight and now seeks to protect the world from other environmental harms.
You can help Greenpeace in their mission by blogging, donating, working, or volunteering. Greenpeace also offers specific special opportunities for students and interns.
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy focuses on protecting the resources people and animals need to survive, by working tirelessly to preserve land and bodies of water, including conservation sites all over the world.
Visit their website to learn more about this environmental group and its non-confrontational, science-based research efforts.
The Sierra Club was founded in 1892 and has grown to include over one million environmental advocates. One of the key ways the Sierra Club spreads its message is through outreach programs that get people out to enjoy the outdoors, including programs for inner-city kids.
One of the best ways to get people passionate about protecting Mother Nature is to foster a love for the outdoors. The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) leads campaigns to break America’s oil dependency and protects rainforests against destructive methods of deforestation that endanger their inhabitants and the natural systems that sustain life.
RAN offers opportunities to take action online and participate in local chapters across the country.
The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) seeks to help people around the world live better lives and educate about climate change. WFUNA offers a variety of ways to be active in their organization, from participating in their online community to joining your local chapter.
Greenenergytv.com is an environmental video-sharing site, similar in concept to YouTube. By uploading your personal success stories of how you are helping to squash global warming, you will be part of a group that literally shows how everyone can be green.
Green Energy TV also uses some of its revenues to install solar and wind energy projects in Third World countries.
Of course, these are just a few environmental groups out of thousands in America. You can find others by surfing the Internet, reading environmental publications, or talking to your friends and neighbors.
Stick with this step and you’ll experience firsthand the power and hope of being united in purpose with others with the common goal of protecting our environment and halting global warming.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.