Climate & Environment Giving Guide
Climate change is one of the greatest existential threats facing our planet. The challenges posed by rising temperatures, severe weather events, and rising sea levels are jeopardizing natural habitats, economies, and communities. The climate crisis is global in scale and requires immediate, concerted action. Philanthropic support is indispensable to mitigating the worst effects of climate change by helping slow the acceleration of global warming and develop creative ways to thrive in our changing environment.
We highly recommend the organizations listed here which were curated by our professional philanthropic advisors and informed by the organizations our donor-advised funds support. We encourage you to consider supporting these organizations which work in the following areas:
Sustainable Food & Agriculture
Forests & Wildfires
If you are interested in opening a Federation donor-advised fund to facilitate your giving, start here.
Clean Energy
Energy plays a critical role in our daily lives and underpins every sector of the global economy. To ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations, it is imperative to transition away from the use of energy sources that destroy habitats and pollute the atmosphere. The use of fossil fuels for energy is a major contributor to climate change and is the underlying cause of many health conditions. The exploitation of clean energy sources creates new jobs in the renewable energy sector and supports local economies.
Supporting the development and adoption of clean energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower can help slow the negative impacts of climate change and safeguard the health and well-being of our communities.
Ocean Conservation
Preserving oceans is crucial for safeguarding marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on them. Robust and thriving oceans, with abundant fish stocks and diverse marine habitats, strengthen the earth’s ability to withstand the adverse impacts of climate change. To keep the oceans healthy, we must reduce ocean pollution, establish strong marine protective areas, regulate fishing practices, and support regional and international ocean governance agreements.
The following organizations work in the areas of ocean conservation, marine protection, and the reduction of ocean pollution.
Climate Justice
Climate change disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, including low-income, indigenous communities, and communities of color. These communities are often located in areas with limited resources and are subjected to high levels of environmental hazards, such as industrial pollution sources and major highways that emit transportation pollution. They are also more vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change such as floods, wildfires, and hurricanes.
By supporting the organizations that work to address these challenges, we can help these communities reduce their vulnerability to extreme weather events, advocate for healthier living environments, and become more resilient for the future.
Sustainable Food & Agriculture
Contemporary commercial agricultural practices negatively impact the environment by contributing to deforestation and emitting harmful greenhouse gases. Adopting sustainable agriculture practices, including organic farming, cover cropping, and agroforestry, allows farmers to conserve water, improve soil health, and reduce carbon emissions while producing healthy and affordable food. Such practices allow farmers to meet their community’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
The following organizations focus on plant-based alternatives to meat, sustainable agriculture, and fighting food insecurity.
Forests & Wildfires
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining a stable climate by serving as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and storing it in the form of biomass, such as trees. This natural process helps regulate temperature, preserve soil health, and protect biodiversity. When forests are destroyed through deforestation or wildfires, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, exacerbating other consequences of climate change. In turn, rising temperatures and prolonged periods of drought have created ideal conditions for devastating wildfires around the world, including in California and regions throughout the Western United States.
Supporting the protection and restoration of forests can mitigate the impacts of climate change and preserve the benefits they provide to both wildlife and human populations.
