Group Think

Umbra on getting involved

Posted by Bricolage at 2:48 PM on 15 Jun 2005

So you look around and see the world going to pot. You want to help, you really do. But how, and where, and what, and when? A neophyte activist at sea in the world of good intentions asks Umbra's advice on finding an organization to ally with. Umbra responds by giving the lay of the activism land, and encouraging folks to get on out there.

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Enviro groups

I'm a bit disappointed that Umbra would characterize Greenpeace as a bunch of in-your-face radicals and tree-huggers. Greenpeace has changed its tactics significantly over the past decade. More sound research and more diplomacy to solve probems. If you are still attracted, go to:http://act.greenpeace.org - you will find many opportunites for online cyberactivism in a variety of areas, for example, GE Foods,
climate change, protecting fragile ecosystems such as ancient forests, saving whales, action against bottom trawling and destruction of coral reefs.
Other groups to consider - Act For Change; Rainforest Action Network. Depends on your chief area of concern.

by tide2earth at 4:10 PM on 15 Jun 2005

related question

I have a related question. I am a graduate student in physics, hoping to get a Ph. D. in biophysics in the next year or two. After I am finished I want to do research on alternative energy sources and environmental problems. I am looking for places that do this kind of research.

by phytrptj at 8:09 AM on 16 Jun 2005

volunteer anywhere!

Volunteer here, there, and everywhere. Maybe you'll find a particular niche that interests you, maybe you'll help out a gamut of different programs. It's all good! Creating a culture of volunteering in our communities is the key.

Too often we expect "Them" to maintain all our public spaces for our periodic enjoyment. Even city parks can benefit from the continued committment of hands-on citizen activists. Many cities are continually cutting these "non-essential" budgets, and parks and greenways are becoming overgrown. Adopt a piece of city garden and encourage others to work there with you.

nikiT compost queen

by nikiT at 9:16 AM on 16 Jun 2005

Environmental Groups in Naples

hey I noticed that the woman asking the question was from Naples and figured she would like to know about some local places to get involved. The best place to start at is at The Conservancy of Southwest FL, they have lots of different ways to get involved from environmental policy issues to wildlife rehab. Just look them up in the Naples phone book or go to their website at www.conservancy.org Good Luck

by weezy83 at 11:47 AM on 16 Jun 2005

environmental groups

I would always highly recommend the Sierra Club. They are active at local, state, and national levels. In terms of providing resources for local activists, no national agency even comes close to the job that they do. They are very professional and any arguments or cases they make are always based upon the facts. Their magazine "Sierra" does some very good investigative enviro-journalism.

I would also join the National Audubon Society. Their magazine "AUDUBON" is the best around.

eddy out, redboat

by redboat at 8:06 AM on 18 Jun 2005

Thanks

You have all been wonderfuly helpful. I am going to start joining several organisations e-mailing my friends as I go, encoraging them to do the same.

Ayla Pinus elliottii var. densa

by Ayla at 5:57 AM on 29 Jun 2005

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