Ticking
World populations are stuck at a fork: take action that dramatically reduces greenhouse gas production now, or ride out the consequences.
NGOs can be stuck too.
You may be surprised at how many NGOs involved in sustainability issues like global warming do not have a commitment to reduce greenhouse gasses in their mission statement:
350.org
Greenpeace
Sierra Club
Natural Resources Defense Council
Rainforest Alliance
are among those who do not.
NGOs should add one sentence to the mission statement.
For example: “Our organization takes actions that will reduce the production of greenhouse gasses.”
Is there resistance to doing this?
Altering a mission can force the issue in membership behavior and in organization functions.
Organizations that advocate for reducing greenhouse gasses should reach out and connect to organizations who have not made this commitment.
Some organizations focus on the one big problem – greenhouse gas production – and some environmental organizations spread their efforts over the planet’s ecology with little or no focus on the big problem.
That’s a problem.
Many NGOs working on environmental issues make references to taking responsible actions, but do not specifically state their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas production as part of their mission. They should.
The foundation of an NGO’s work is the mission statement.
350.org
“350.org is building a global grassroots climate movement that can hold our leaders accountable to the realities of science and the principles of justice. That movement is rising from the bottom up all over the world, and is uniting to create the solutions that will ensure a better future for all. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions bring together a global network active in over 188 countries.”
Greenpeace
“Our goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity. That means we want to: protect biodiversity in all its forms; prevent pollution and abuse of the earth’s ocean, land, air and fresh water; end all nuclear threats promote peace, global disarmament and non-violence.”
Sierra Club
“To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.”
Natural Resources Defense Council
“NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.”
Rainforest Alliance
“We envision a world where people and nature thrive in harmony. The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.”
Neglected Networks
There are many existing efforts designed to create engagement towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial and educational institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world in time.”
Race to Zero lists relationships with 8,000 companies, over 1,000 each, cities and educational institutions. Connections can happen when someone reaches out to Race to Zero, but how about the other way around? Environmental organizations advocating for greenhouse gas reduction could reach out to organizations and communicate their concerns about climate and the Earth’s ecology.
Someone from NRDC should contact the Director of Operations & Special Projects at Interfaith Alliance.
Organizations have member networks of their own.
Interfaith Alliance is active within a range of human rights and environmental issues.
Lions Clubs International: “Sustainably protect and restore our environment to improve the well-being of all communities.”
Science Europe “is the organisation representing major public organisations that fund or perform excellent, ground-breaking research in Europe.”
The One Club for Creativity: “We are a diverse tribe of creative thinkers and doers who believe creativity is the most powerful element to business success.”
Kiwanis “helps kids around the world. Local clubs look out for our communities and the international organization takes on large-scale challenges, such as fighting disease and poverty.”
Rotary “is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
Association of Science and Technology Centers “is a professional membership organization with a vision of increased understanding of—and engagement with—science and technology among all people and a mission to champion and support science and technology centers and museums.”
Citizen Science Association “is a member-driven organization that connects people from a wide range of experiences around one shared purpose: advancing knowledge through research and monitoring done by, for, and with members of the public.”
European Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology: “members are researchers and science professionals from public and private universities, businesses, media, authorities, NGOs and citizens engaged in science.”
Funding and Marketing Campaign
Mass marketing costs a lot of money – which can be pooled to extend the reach and frequency of message advertising. One reason to collaborate and pool money is to present a unified message – everywhere, all at once. Mass-market advertising is good, creating a news-buzz is better.
Image memes
Image advertising
Funders
“We achieve our goal by investing across four transitions – built environment; energy & industry; human security, livelihoods and wellbeing; and land-use, forests and ecosystems – and employing a four-pronged approach.”
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative “was founded in 2015 to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease and improving education, to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.”
Climate Works: “The ClimateWorks team is on a mission to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy.”
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions.”
Founders For Good: “We are a global community of entrepreneurs. Together, we’re finding and funding solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. We champion evidence-led and thoughtful approaches to impact.”
Image makers
Below is a sample of content creators who have worked on environmental issues.
Futerra: “works across continents and cultures to deliver sustainable development solutions that help make the Anthropocene awesome.”
Purpose Disruptors: “We are a network of advertising insiders working together to reshape our industry to tackle climate change. We aim to create a visible, large scale movement within the industry, working together to make the necessary transition to meaningfully tackle climate change.”
Creatives for Climate: “We arm creatives with the connections, skills, and opportunities for action they need to tackle the climate emergency! Through events, workshops, learning resources, open discussion forums and collaboration we bring together an active group of committed change agents to drive meaningful change in the rapidly shifting climate action landscape!”
Extinction Rebellion: “Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse.”
Project Everyone: “We are a not-for-profit communications agency made up of a dedicated team of campaigners and communicators, who sit at the heart of a global network of civil society organisations, private sector partners, brands, governments, and UN agencies.”
New Weather Institute: The New Weather Institute is a co-op and a think-tank, created to accelerate the rapid transition to a fair economy that thrives within planetary boundaries. We find, design and advocate ways of working and living that are more humane, reasonable and effective.
Educators