CHARITIES & GIVING BACK
“To feel the intimacy of brothers is a marvelous thing in life. To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life. But to feel affection that comes from those whom we do not know is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being and unites all living things. ”
I recently read the book Thrive by Ariana Huffington and I was inspired by her idea of Pillar #4 of the Third Metric: Giving
‘‘Giving, loving, caring, empathy and compassion, going beyond ourselves and stepping out of our comfort zones to help serve others - is the only visible answer to the multitude of problems the world is facing.
We all need to find the leader in the mirror, and take steps to make a difference, both in our own communities and at the other end of the world.
However successful we are, when we go out in the world to ''get things,'' when we strive to achieve a goal, we are operating from a perceived deficit, focused on what we don't have and are trying to obtain - until the goal is achieved. And then we go after the next goal. But when we give however little or much we have we are tapping into our sense of abundance and overflow. Giving sends a message to the universe that we have all we need. And we become abundant by giving to others.’’
Here are a few initiatives and causes that are close to my heart because they have a positive impact on the ocean, the environment and the well-being of the community.
Most of these websites have links for online activism, sometimes as simple as adding your name to a petition or clicking a link to send email to a legislator. If you’re more ambitious, look into volunteer opportunities to vote with your time and energy instead of (or in addition to) your wallet.
Ocean Conservancy
The ocean starts with you. Join the movement to protect our ocean.
Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. With the help of donors, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean.
Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.
Oceana
Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world's oceans on a global scale by advocating for science-based fishery management and restoring the world's oceans. Oceana seeks to make our oceans as rich, healthy, and abundant as they once were by winning policy victories in the countries that govern much of the world's marine life.
Since its founding, Oceana has won more than 200 victories and protected more than 4.5 million square miles of ocean. Find out more about how Oceana is helping to save the oceans victory by victory.
Mission Blue
Mission Blue inspires action to explore and protect the ocean. Led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue is uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas – Hope Spots.
Parley for the Oceans
Parley is the space where creators, thinkers, and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility if our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction.
Parley for the Oceans addresses major threats towards our oceans, the most important ecosystem of our planet.
Parley has been created to accelerate a process of change that is already in progress. No other big movement in the history of humankind has developed faster than the environmental cause. We want to make sure we are fast enough to meet the ultimate deadline and turn the ship around before we lose a treasure we have only just started to explore and still don’t fully understand: the fantastic blue universe beneath us — The Oceans.
OTHERS
Coral Gardeners are taking action to resolve the problems our reefs are facing. They aim to SAVE the coral reefs through education and coral reef restoration.
Project 0 is a global movement supported by renowned scientists, business leaders, campaigners, culture makers and ocean experts, who are all working together to awaken the fight for the ocean. Project 0 works to: Raise Global Awareness. Ignite Behaviour Change. Create new revenue to complete the world's most pressing protection projects.
Overfishing is a monumental, global issue. Ocean Wise seafood is a conservation program that makes it easy for consumers to choose sustainable seafood for the long term health of our oceans.
The Wyland Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, public arts projects, and community events.
Ocean Unite was founded in 2015 to unify and mobilize impactful voices at key moments that matter to drive positive Ocean conservation action. Everything they do is designed to drive highly protecting at least 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030 and building ocean resilience by engaging and Activating by delivering Ocean messages at key moments that matter, innovating change by building constituencies and reaching new audiences and investing in building ocean health and resilience
The National Ocean Service provides data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy. NOS is dedicated to advancing the following priorities: safe and efficient transportation and commerce, preparedness and risk reduction and stewardship, recreation, and tourism. Their mission is to provide science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to address evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our ocean and coasts.
UN-Water coordinates the efforts of UN entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues.
Their mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
For nearly 60 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by more than one million members in the United States and close to five million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.
Founded in 2018, The Blue Organization is a new non profit media dedicated to environmental awareness.
