Joining a climate movement organization is an excellent way for you to contribute to the systemic change we need to effectively address climate change. Check out the following 15 climate movement organizations and see which one is the best fit for you.
International Climate Movement Organizations
350
350.org is an international organization advocating for a just transition away from fossil fuels to community-led 100% renewable energy. The 350 refers to the concentration of 350 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere considered to be safe. Currently, the ppm of carbon dioxide is over 400. They have local climate action groups in every continent except Antarctica working to get us to 350ppm. If you do not see a group and want to start your own, they have a guide to get you started.
Greenpeace
Greenpeace has been around since 1971 when the founders set sail into the Arctic Ocean to stop the testing of a nuclear bomb. They have been working to protect our shared home ever since covering a wide variety of environmental and social issues. Their goal is to, “ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity.” Like 350.org, they have groups in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Europe.
Indigenous Environmental Network
Indigenous Environmental Network is another international organization of Indigenous communities working to tackle environmental and economic injustices. In 1990, they started as a grassroots group of Indigenous communities in the United States. Their work focuses on protecting Mother Earth and empowering Indigenous groups and tribal nations. They have multiple campaigns. Two examples are stopping fossil fuel extraction, and aiding in a just transition away from fossil fuels.
Fridays For Future
Fridays For Future is a youth-led organization that was started in August 2018 by Greta Thunberg. She sat outside the Swedish Parliament calling on the government to act on the climate crisis. Fridays For Future continues to pressure governments as an international organization by bringing attention to the climate crisis through their strikes. The following are their demands:
- “Keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 °C compared to pre-industrial levels.
- Ensure climate justice and equity.
- Listen to the best united science currently available.”
Citizens Climate Lobby
Citizens Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan group with chapters all over the world. They lobby for climate solutions that are bipartisan like carbon pricing. Their group also supports addressing the inequities felt by the Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian communities in tackling climate change.
Generational Climate Movement Organizations
Moms Clean Air Force
Moms Clean Air Force consists of over one million parents and concerned Americans working to fight air pollution, climate change and for the future of their children. On their home page they note “the importance of equitable solutions in addressing air pollution and climate change.” They are a part of the Environmental Defense Fund and have chapters are all over the United States.
Raging Grannies
I first heard of Raging Grannies when a speaker at a local meeting mentioned she was a member of their group. Their name alone had me hooked. Raging Grannies use non violent tactics like singing and humor to bring attention to issues including climate change and economic inequality. These leading women have groups in the U.S. and around the world.
Elders Climate Action
Elders Climate Action is made up of grandparents, and elders taking on climate action here in the U.S. They are a non partisan group committed to leaving “a sustainable planet for future generations.” Additionally, they support climate and environmental justice in their efforts for a just transition to “sustainable energy practices.”
US Based Climate Movement Organizations
Sunrise Movement
Sunrise Movement is a U.S. based youth climate movement. Their goal is “to stop climate change and create millions of god jobs in the process.” The founders were inspired by historical movements like the Civil Rights Movement, and Women’s suffrage. They realized they needed people power to succeed in getting effective climate legislation passed and thus Sunrise Movement was created. They support the Green New Deal which centers a just transition to stop climate change.
republicEN
republicEN is a conservative climate group advocating for a carbon tax. During an episode of the How to Save a Planet Podcast the founder of republicEN, Republican Congressman Bob Inglis explained the goal of his organization. He is working to reframe addressing climate change from “bad politics to good politics, no matter which party you belong to.” He recommends conservatives connecting to republicEN to hear about climate change policy from a conservative point of view.
Movement 4 Black Lives
Movement 4 Black Lives started in December 2014 as a collaboration of multiple Black organizations from all over the U.S. From then, the collective of organizations have defined what is needed for Black communities. This includes the first National Black Climate Mandate called The Red Black and Green New Deal (RBGND). The RBGND “focuses on justice across six key pillars:Water, Energy, Land, Labor, Economy, and Democracy.” Check out the full text of The RBGND and their toolkits of how you can get involved.
Poor People’s Campaign
Poor People’s Campaign, started in 2018 as a continuation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign in 1968. The organization is co-chaired by North Carolina native, Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. The Poor People’s Campaign work to tackle 5 injustices affecting the millions of poor and low income communities in the U.S. Their demands are based on studying the feedback and needs of poor people over the past 50 years. These demands include ending “systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and the war economy.” They have campaigns all around the US, ready for you to join.
Climate Movement Alliances
The Green New Deal Network
The Green New Deal Network is a US wide coalition of numerous organizations. Including ones mentioned previously like Greenpeace and Indigenous Environmental Network. They are working to bring the Green New Deal to reality. Part of the Green New Deal they are campaigning for is the THRIVE Agenda and the THRIVE Act. THRIVE stands for Transform, Heal, and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy. If these pieces of legislation speak to you, join an organization of the Green New Deal Network.
Climate Action Network
Climate Action Network (CAN) is a network of over 1500 organizations from more than 130 countries. Their goal is to address climate change as well as social and racial injustice. They have 5 main areas of work: centering people and climate impacts, ending the fossil fuel industry, transformative national climate action plans, building movements, and advocating including at UN climate negotiations.
Climate Justice Alliance
Climate Justice Alliance is climate justice coalition of numerous organizations here in the United States and around the world. A just transition from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy is the framework of their organization and their method of addressing climate change. Check out their Member Organizations to see what local organization you may be interested in joining or supporting.
Almost every one of these organizations holds justice at its core because effectively addressing climate change cannot happen without focusing on the people most affected. Individually, we do not have to know everything about climate change or social justice. We do need everyone working together in the climate movement to address both. Share with us in the comments which climate organization you are interested in joining. Or perhaps another climate organization you want to give a shout out too. Let’s get moving!
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