By Karen Dougherty, C-Change Conversations
The climate is changing before our eyes, and the B-Change blog is here to share ways we can all be part of the solution. Past topics have highlighted changes we can make on our own, but today the focus is on amplifying our individual efforts.
How? In a word: volunteer. You may be thinking that, between work and family commitments, you can’t squeeze in one more thing. If this is you, I’ve been in your shoes. But in reality, committing as little as one hour a month can make an impact. Or maybe you just don’t know where to start. Whether you enjoy interacting with others or prefer sitting at home on your computer, there is a volunteer role for you.
You may have noticed we focus a lot on “win-win” situations here at B-Change. In other words, nearly all of the possible actions to help address climate change also make our lives better. Volunteering is no exception. Many of us feel overwhelmed and frightened by climate change. There is plenty of evidence that action is the antidote to anxiety, so getting involved can help us feel better. Simply interacting with other like-minded people can make us feel understood – and more hopeful about the future.
National groups
Wondering where to start? There are countless national and local organizations working on this problem from every possible angle. We’ll highlight a few reputable national ones, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. A quick search can uncover even more possibilities.
Climate Changemakers
What they do:
- Influence climate policy through nonpartisan advocacy
- Organize time-efficient activities to make an immediate impact
How you can help:
- Attend a virtual “Hour of Action”
- Follow a weekly “Action Plan”
What they do:
- Facilitate grassroots efforts that focus on climate policy
- Train volunteers to lobby Congress and build political support
How you can help:
- Join a local chapter
- Participate in advocacy activities like meeting with lawmakers and writing letters
What they do:
- Engage conservative/right-leaning audiences on climate change, focusing on market-based solutions
- Build bipartisan support for climate action
How you can help:
- Sign up to participate in outreach within conservative communities
- Work on advocacy efforts with Republican policymakers
What they do:
- Focus on community-based climate action and education
- Coordinate hands-on actions and local sustainability projects
How you can help:
- Join local workshops or initiatives like environmental cleanups
- Explore the “Action Carousel,” which offers quick action suggestions
- Sign up for an “Action of the Day” email
Surprise! How could I not include this one on the list? After all, I believe in it enough to volunteer time here myself.
What they do:
- Provide nonpartisan, science-based climate change education and communication, with an emphasis on building consensus across the political spectrum
- Conduct live presentations explaining climate science and impact
How you can help:
- Attend, promote, or help host a presentation with a group or club in your community
- Follow and share their materials
Local groups
If you prefer to get involved where you live, try searching for groups in your community. Some national organizations have local chapters, and there are also many locally based organizations looking for help.
Here’s an example: I’m passionate about reducing food waste, and keeping food out of landfills happens to be an impactful climate solution. I found a local organization called Feeding Charlotte. They rescue prepared food from commercial kitchens that would otherwise be wasted and deliver it to nonprofits. This helps fight climate change while also feeding hungry neighbors. It also makes me feel like I’m making a tangible difference. A true win-win.
Do you have a specific passion or interest? If so, take a look to see if there’s a connection to a climate organization. If you’re not currently active in one, why not give it a try? As the saying goes, you don’t have to do everything … just don’t do nothing.
Karen Dougherty writes the B-Change Blog for C-Change Conversations, a national nonprofit that provides nonpartisan education on climate change, and also blogs about climate change at unheating.com. This piece was originally published at https://c-changeconversations.org/volunteering-is-good-for-the-climate-and-you. Banner photo: Signs at a climate change demonstration (iStock image).
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