GREEN STUFF

We have all probably heard about "activist movements". While the term "activism" usually conjures up images of marches and protests, there are several forms of activism. In fact, you don't even need to join a group in order to be an activist. All you have to do is lead a life by example. Leading by example is one of the most powerful forms of activism there is. As we like to say here at SaveWithGreen.com, "Champion your own cause". Activism, whether it's aim is to bring about social, environmental and/or political change, begins with the individual. Activist groups, however, are the ultimate force needed to incite global change.

Activism is not about trying to change people, because we all know that in order for someone to change, they have to want to change. Activism can, however, get people to think about making changes, and can certainly change policies that have an impact on all of humanity. In essence then, one individual can change the world. An activist movement is borne when several individuals unite of like mind - all with the common intent to introduce change. Almost always extending into the world of politics, some activist groups have grown so large they could very well be considered political bodies in their own right. (To see a list of who we believe to be the most active and forward thinking activist groups today, please read or scroll down to the bottom of this page).

The Holistic Activist

As mentioned, activism extends into many areas of our life here on Earth. Although the equal rights movement and environmental movement may seem like two separate branches of activism, they are really one and the same. When taking a deep look at and comparing the symptoms of an environment plagued by pollution and the symptoms of a global society plagued by inequalities, all of these symptoms begin to point to a single ultimate cause. And we believe that this ultimate cause is humankind's disconnection with Nature.

We must first ask ourselves why we are here on this Earth in the first place in order have a sense of the larger picture. This day and age, more people are in agreement that we are here on this Earth to evolve. If you don't believe in evolution, try to think of it as "growth". Certainly we cannot deny that we are continually "growing" physically, emotionally, spiritually etc.

All of the conditions in our environment and societies are essentially manifestations of human evolution. Actually, if we stop to take a closer look, the manifestations happening in our natural environment explain everything. In the process of becoming an industrialized world, human beings have become increasingly disconnected with Nature. This disconnection, in turn, has been replaced by a connection with materialism, money and power. This isn't to say that industrialization is necessarily bad or wrong. It simply means that the way in which we have been "industrializing" has gotten out of balance. And this imbalance manifests in everything - our environment, society, politics etc.

Here is another way to look at this issue: The word "nature" is used to describe the essence of man's being, i.e. it is our human nature to feel emotions. It seems logical to me then, in seeking out our own nature, a good place to start is in the natural world. And if we look at the natural world in its current state, surely we will see that it has been neglected and is on a dangerous course. It is no coincidence that the endangered state of our natural environment is a manifestation of the neglect that has taken place within mankind's own nature.

The source of this neglect as well as all the inequalities in the world have resulted from a disconnection with the natural world. Albeit the politically powerful have been behind much of the policies carrying out this disconnection and imbalance, we must all take heed to recognize that we all have a part to play. No single entity can be blamed, for even the people in power are, to a certain extent, manifestations of their constituents consciousness and evolution. I know this might sound like a stretch to some of you, but give it some more thought and consideration before you rule it out!

When we open our minds and ears, it is clear that our growth and evolution here on Earth helps us to realize our nature. Obviously, we are on our way towards something more expansive than our current state of being. You can grasp this if you don't believe in God. You can grasp this if you believe in God. You can grasp this if you believe that we are all Gods! Growth and evolution are inevitable. At a minimum, the purpose of growth within all states of our being is to help us live a more efficient and fulfilling life. And if we allow ourselves to think outside of ourselves, individual growth is also key to helping guide the new lives that come after us. Whether you have children of not, there are innocent generations to come. We each must hold ourselves responsible. This is the mission of the activist. Live by example and others will take notice.

Environmental & Social Movements

The rest of this page is devoted to activist organizations that are making a difference in this world. All of the below groups are devoted to conservation, economic justice or social causes in one form or another. If you would like to join any of them and help their cause, they will be more then happy to welcome you aboard. These are some of the largest and well organized environmental activist groups in the world. If you would like to tell us about an activist group not listed here, whether it be for environmental/social/political change, please let us know about it.

Audobon Society - One of the longest running conservationist groups in the world, the Audobon Society achieved its earliest success in 1900, when the group urged members of the U.S. Congress to make the trafficking of illegally killed birds a federal crime. Nowadays, the Audobon Society is working within several fronts aimed at conserving and restoring natural ecosystems.

Environmental Defense - Formed forty years ago by a notable group of scientists that now include National Academy of Sciences Member, Dr. Bill Chameides, Environmental Defense uses a unique approach to addressing environmental issues. A U.S. facing organization, their philosophy is that in order to change America, America' corporations must be engaged. The mission of Environmental Defense is to work with businesses directly and in a constructive nonpartisan manner to show that profit can still be had while implementing environmentally safe practices. Getting FedEx to commission hybrid trucks which run 57% farther on a single gallon of fuel was a big accomplishment for ED. Other fleets have already followed suit, including Coca-Cola, U.S. Postal Service and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

Greenpeace - Call them the doers of the environmental movement, Greenpeace activists undertake hands-on projects, research and innovative protests to instill change. They also aggressively pursue the U.S. Congress for introducing legislation to protect the environment. Started in 1971 when a grassroots group of activists leased a fishing vessel to protest U.S. nuclear testing off of the coast of Alaska, only to be intercepted by the U.S. coast guard, GreenPeace caught the world's attention and has been growing ever since. To this day, Greenpeace undertakes risky expeditions to uncover the truth. CleanEnergyNow.org is another environmental activist group formed by Greenpeace.

Idealist.org - Idealist.org is the one-stop resource for non-profit groups and people looking to connect and make a difference. Idealist not only brings environmentally, socially and globally conscious people together, they help to unite grassroots movements of similar cause. A very active website to say the least, there are nearly 60,000 non-profit groups registered with Idealist.org, all of whom are posting news, jobs, events and volunteer opportunities on a daily basis. Every holistic activist should join Idealist.org.

Interfaith Alliance - When it comes to ensuring the separation of Church of State is as it should be according to the United States Constitution, as well as the religious liberty clause of the First Amendment, the Interfaith Alliance and Interfaith Alliance Foundation are making monumental strides. While it's unfortunate that monumental strides are needed in this area to begin with, it is reassuring to know the 185,000 members and 75 local activist groups making up the Interfaith Alliance are effectively fueling a national grassroots movement that stands for religious and spiritual liberty in the United States. Standing against the funneling of government funds into religious institutions, the Interfaith Alliance sees the role of faith and spirituality as a source of societal healing.

NRDC - The Natural Resources Defense Council is one of the most powerful environmental lobbyists in the world. With over 1.2 million members committed to protecting the Earth's wildlife and natural resources to ensure a healthy environment for all living things, NRDC has great influence in making political change. Named one of America's 100 best charities by Worth Magazine and given four out of four stars by CharityNavigator.org, many other people think so too. Several well known environmentalists, scientists and activists make up NRDC's Board, including the influential actor and American icon, Robert Redford. NRDC also runs the BioGems Initiative (formed in 2001), which is specifically geared toward protecting imperiled ecosystems. With over half-a-million members, BioGems is growing fast. Past and current projects include persuading Congress to reject proposals to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and a proposal to log 2.4 million acres in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. BioGems is also working with indigenous communities in Canada to help them protect over 10 million acres of ancient boreal forest and has championed a movement to protect the Emerald Coast of Florida's panhandle.

Oceana.org - Oceana is a global non-profit group committed to helping protect and regenerate the world's ocean's. With over 300,000 members and Web activists in over 150 countries, Oceana's reach is long and powerful. They are focused on several ocean-related campaigns, including global warming, seafood contamination, overfishing, overfishing subsidies, saving krill, saving dolphins, safeguarding sharks, and putting an end to destructive trawling and dredging. Join their website for free and start helping spread their message to save the world's oceans and sea life.

RAN - Like Environmental Defense, the Rainforest Action Network seeks to push companies to balance profit and principles. Specifically working toward protecting the world's rainforests by educating indigenous communities and organizing non-violent grassroots movements, Rainforest Action Network has made considerable strides in drumming up public support and convincing businesses to hold themselves environmentally accountable. RAN has helped protect millions of acres of forests in Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Canada and elsewhere. They also organize grassroots movements to end America's oil dependence.

Surfrider Foundation - For over twenty years, the Surfrider Foundation has served as a leading grassroots movement to protect the worlds waterways. Although primarily active in the U.S. with over 50,000 members and 60 national chapters, the Surfrider Foundation has five additional branches in other countries. What makes the Surfrider Foundation unique is that their membership is made up of beach and ocean enthusiasts, including surfers, bodyboarders, divers and kayakers. Who better else to protect the U.S. coastlands than the surfers who call it home.

World Wildlife Fund - Since 1961, the WWF  has been funding conservation projects around the world. Currently funding over 2,000 conservation projects, the World Wildlife Fund has the financial resources to get things done. Thriving off of donor contributions, the WWF has extended its reach into 100 countries and has had influential talks with the World Bank and European Commission. Their mission statement is to conserve the planet's biological diversity, sustain the use of renewable natural resources, and mitigating pollution and wasteful consumption.

To stay up to date with environmental activist movements and how you can make a difference, please visit our updated tips section on Activism