Effective Giving for Environmental Causes
I am trying to find effective environmental causes for my donations. Almost all the Effective Altruism causes are related directly to human or animal issues. These are of course critically important. But if you don’t solve the problem of mass environmental destruction, then you’ll have more human and animal issues to solve.
Example: Due to global warming, a vast number of Koala’s were wiped out in the 2019-2020 fires in Australia. So now resources have to be redirected to help the remaining Koalas. These problems will only get worse. Slapping band-aids on problem after problem. The cause for much of the suffering is environmental, and if we believe in effective giving, then in my opinion that is what we should target first.
Among the few environmental causes that are promoted by Effective Altruism, all of them are related to policy. But that only works when you have receptive listeners. In an environment destroying political situation as exists in the US today, those efforts are ineffective.
So how do I identify direct action environmental causes related to global warming, air and ocean pollution, and habitat destruction? How do I go about finding out where my donations will be most effective?
I’m so happy you’re interested in effective climate giving! Here are a few of my favorite resource for learning about environmental/climate giving opportunities:
Giving Green’s top climate nonprofits and related research, such as Clean Air Task Force.
Founders Pledge’s writing and recommendations around climate philanthropy.
Coefficient Giving’s Air Quality and Lead Exposure Action funds and related reports (Air Quality, Lead exposure reduction).
For a donor starting to explore small gifts to cost-effective climate work, I would recommend the Giving Green Fund.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!