According to NASA, 97% of climate scientists across the globe believe the phenomenon of climate change is caused by human beings. The American public isn’t oblivious to the damage climate change is causing either; roughly 80% of adults believe global warming is affecting our environment, as seen in a Pew Research Center poll titled Public Views on Climate Change and Climate Scientists. The same survey also shows that, despite the common understanding that climate change is real, less than 20% of adults believe climate scientists understand the best path forward for humanity.
Regardless of who may know the best path forward in handling the climate crisis, the public agrees that it is real and that something needs to be done. We are past the point of mitigating the effects of climate change through federal programs, at least in America for the foreseeable future. Instead, more people supporting corporations and non-profits protecting the health of our ecosystems is the best way forward. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to be a climate scientist or hold a conservation degree to have a positive impact on our environment.
Organizations working to minimize the disastrous effects of global warming need people from all industries and backgrounds. Data analytics, accounting, coordinating, logistics, reporting, archiving, and many more domains play crucial roles in these companies' and nonprofits' work. One of the most influential organizations working “in the places, on the projects and with people that can make the biggest difference” is the Environmental Defense Fund. The EDF works worldwide to reduce the worst climate crisis’s effects on the most vulnerable populations; from reducing toxic pollutants to investing in ecosystems that can resist climate change, the EDF collaborates with people and companies to find climate solutions that work for everyone. They offer jobs nationwide including roles in management, marketing, and communications. Another non-profit, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), conducts scientific research to “provide the best science, engineering, and outreach tools to the…conservation community.” They are currently looking for people to work in payroll, engineering, and operation of their research vessels according to their job listings page. MBARI researches ocean life on the sea floor to keep conservation efforts well-informed on deep-sea ecosystems' functions and overall health. Keeping these isolated regions healthy is extremely important due to the ocean's role as one of Earth’s natural carbon sinks. A carbon sink is the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by natural or engineered methods. In pursuing climate reform, these organizations need people with the same degrees as those of other companies in America.
There are other ways to help limit the effects of climate change beyond working for an organization, like volunteering with local groups directly tackling some of the problems the climate crisis presents. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers all over the country work in museums, aquariums, nature centers, schools, and parks to educate the public and build an appreciation for the nature around us. In the Bay Area, we are a hotspot for climate action in many forms. Programs like the Environmental Volunteers group help people wanting to educate the public find positions that work for their schedules and skill sets. The volunteers teach the public about local ecosystems and actions families can take toward a greener future. In land restoration and stewardship, groups like the South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition work to “reclaim, restore, and revitalize our local waterways.” Beyond issue-specific volunteering groups, there are collectives like the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, which aims to create a coalition of climate-conscious citizens to “keep our communities safe and resilient.” Volunteering for local organizations that combat climate change encourages our communities to support climate initiatives and show our lawmakers and council members that this issue matters.
You can positively impact our planet's health, both in the workplace and beyond, regardless of your particular talents or skills. Whether you find a job, volunteer, or take personal steps to have a positive impact on our environment, you can support our ecosystems through the climate crisis.
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