Since President-elect Trump has started assigning individuals to his upcoming administration, there have been plenty of concerning names popping up—but none more detrimental to protecting the environment than Myron Ebell, a man who The Washington Post calls, “a Washington fixture who has long been a cheerful warrior against what he sees as an alarmist, overzealous environmental movement that has used global warming as a pretext for expanding government.” Now more than ever, in light of the present course of government administration, various environmental protection agencies require our help. Whether it’s through donating to one agency or another, signing up for a newsletter or subscription, or even just signing a petition or two, your contribution counts.
Here are just four organizations that will better your understanding of how you can contribute to restoring our planet. Pitch in, read up, and educate yourself—this isn’t just for humankind, but the various species with whom we share the planet, and those who will exist after us.
1. The Sierra Club
Is it purely coincidental that the first pop-up on this page is “Fight Back Against Trump”? Celebrating its 124th year anniversary, The Sierra Club is the largest and most influential grassroots organization in the United States. They have had a helping hand in passing the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Right now, they are attempting to implement their Beyond Coal Act (eradicating our nation’s coal plants), Beyond Natural Gas Act (eradicating fracking and destructive drilling), and Beyond Oil Act (protecting the climate and communities from the fossil fuel industry). You can donate and learn more here.
2. The World Wildlife Foundation
Not just concerning “wildlife,” The World Wildlife Foundation invests in almost every aspect of “saving the planet,” with branches reaching into climate change, food, forests, fresh water, the oceans, science, transforming business, wildlife conservation, and influencing government policies. This is something everyone can come together on, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on. “Conservation endures as a living discipline because it is inhabited by a magnificent collection of people,” says Carter Roberts, the WWF’s President and CEO. “Only by working together can we create solutions to the most vexing problems we face.” Learn more and donate here.
3. The Natural Resources Defense Council
“With the expertise of some 500 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates across the globe,” the Natural Resources Defense Council partners with businesses, leadership councils around the world, and various community groups to combat urban issues, ensure environmental justice for land, wildlife and oceans, come up with clean solutions for energy and transportation, stabilize food and agriculture, and reduce air pollution. Donate here and read how you can do your part.
4. National Geographic
Subscribe to National Geographic’s magazine, where you’ll become a part of one of the most well-known non-profit societies working today. “Through the world’s best scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, National Geographic captivates and entertains a global community through television channels, magazines, children’s media, travel expeditions, books, maps, consumer products, location-based entertainment and experiences, and some of the most engaging digital and social media platforms in the world.” If that’s not enough of an incentive, I don’t know what is.
If you have a Netflix account, I highly suggest spending some of your holiday break watching BBC’s documentary series “Planet Earth.” I speak from experience: it will utterly change the way you see the world around you—the fragility of its ecosystems and biomes, and the creatures who live in them. The second part of the series is airing on BBC America Jan. 28, 2017, and continuing for six consecutive Saturdays.
President-elect Trump has also previously stated that he would pull out of the U.N. Global Climate Accord, spelling disaster for the U.S., as well as all other countries involved. If you can’t quite remember what was agreed upon at the Paris Climate Conference last year, read up; perhaps you will be more stimulated to act once you realize what Trump will not be doing.
Ask your family and friends to donate in your name! Put other agencies and groups down on your Christmas list, and encourage others to do the same! It’s never too late to begin. Get to work!