What climate change organization(s) should I support in 2019?

January 1, 2019 6:32 AM

I'd like to make a recurring monthly donation to a climate change organization, but I'm not sure where my money is best spent. Are you a regular contributor to a charitable organization to combat climate change? Where would you put your money in 2019?

What it says above the fold! I was considering donating monthly to Greenpeace, but I'm wondering if there are any major concerns about this org that I don't really understand or aren't turning up in a Google search. I'm also considering the Audubon Society, but would like to donate to a more broad-facing group.

Looking for all suggestions, or even advice on how to vet such organizations as best I can personally, as this is all new to me! There are some past questions on this but they're pretty short, so in addition to org recs, I'd love to know how people choose the organizations they back and how/why you feel confident in those organizations.

posted by anonymous to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

I'm a regular monthly donor to the (USA-based) Union of Concerned Scientists and have been for years. I like them because they get results! They tend to work with federal/state/local governments to implement policy changes, and they do science-based analyses that they then use to support their work.

That's not to say that there's anything wrong with Greenpeace or the Audubon Society.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:11 AM on January 1, 2019 [4 favorites]

After the nightmare US elections I chose Earthjustice to stymie or at least slow down the administration's ability to do harm. I like the idea of choosing specific, winnable battles and their focus on helping people "on the front lines:"
We partner with hundreds of organizations, tribes, and communities-whom we represent free of charge-to take on the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change.
My selection process includes looking at Charity Navigator for overall score and percent of income spent on programs. I no longer worry about high compensation for officers, as long as it's not a huge percentage of expenditures- we should reward people for choosing careers that do good!
posted by evilmomlady at 7:11 AM on January 1, 2019 [2 favorites]

I've been donating for years to AmazonWatch because I know the people involved. They are super smart and run a nimble, lean operation.
posted by dum spiro spero at 10:39 AM on January 1, 2019

SeaLegacy is a non profit that uses photography and video to tell the story of climate change in the arctic and Antarctic, really amazing work.
posted by j810c at 10:50 AM on January 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

I did some research on this a few weeks ago and I came up with a few options:

National Resources Defense Council -- focused on lobbying and public policy.
Cool Earth -- a neat organization that works with local NGOs near rainforests to provide economic alternatives to rainforest destruction. A very interesting and encouraging model.
The Nature Conservancy -- probably doesn't need an introduction, but they focus on buying and preserving land.
Environmental Defense Fund -- more lobbying and evidence-based public policy.
National Center for Science Education -- a small organization, previously focused on ensuring that evolution is taught in US public schools. In the last few years they have broadened their mandate into climate education.
Sunrise Movement/Green New Deal -- a very small organization, focused on US congressional action to fight climate change.

I'd love additional feedback on my choices, if anyone has any particular knowledge of these organizations.
posted by tybstar at 11:24 AM on January 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

My partner recently asked this question on twitter and got some good responses:

https://twitter.com/KA_Nicholas/status/1078435804752592898
posted by vernondalhart at 11:32 AM on January 1, 2019