Posts from a range of voices on fostering an effective environmental movement.
Over the last 18 months, for the first time in our 500 year history, grant funder Cloudesley chose to get involved in environmental funding. How did we go about it, and what did we learn?
Keywords: climate change
The ability of citizens to organize themselves and redress grievances is under attack in 111 countries around the world. For environmental and conservation funders, these restrictions limit the ability to achieve key program outcomes, whether in wildlife protection, forest conservation, or climate change. We can come together with other funders, governments, and NGOs to address the root causes and manifestations of closing space, to help citizens in their efforts to protect our shared planet.
Keywords: closing space, collaboration, effectiveness, justice
Running a race with one hand tied behind your back reduces your chances of winning. Similarly, running a campaign that only appeals to a fraction of the country will take you longer to succeed. But environmental campaigning in the UK is hampered in its effectiveness because campaigning organisations are not embracing the full diversity of the UK population.
Keywords: communications, diversity, effectiveness
To reduce the disproportionate burden of climate change on the world’s poorest, the transition to a low carbon economy must be fast. Alongside market development, technological advances and political action, climate change litigation can trigger rapid carbon reduction and at the same time, reduce fossil fuel companies’ social license to operate. Philanthropy plays a key role in supporting all manner of climate change litigation, but also in raising awareness about public opinion on climate change responsibility and duty to pay for its impacts. Demonstrating a supportive public is an essential backdrop for legal decisions and increases their chances of success.
Keywords: climate change, litigation, public opinion
Since the MAVA Foundation announced it would close its doors in 2022, its stakeholders have reacted with shock, disbelief, tears, indignation, worry, interest and -- more rarely -- congratulations. Even rarer still is an understanding of the unexpected benefits of closing, of which there are many.
Keywords: conservation, spending-down
By connecting young people to their sense of rebellion, their values and their communities, we can help turn on its head the increasingly pervasive norm that success is defined by what you earn and what you own. In so doing, we can improve young people's mental health and help protect the environment at the same time.
Keywords: consumerism, effectiveness, health, joined-up-thinking
British millennials have the second worst mental wellbeing in the world, second only to Japan. One in four young women between the ages of 16 and 24 report having self-harmed and 93% of teachers report increased levels of mental illness in children and young people. What if the solution to the mental health crisis facing young people is the same as tackling environmental degradation?
Keywords: consumerism, health, joined-up-thinking
It is over thirty years since Michael Soulé proposed his model of conservation biology as a “synthetic, multi-disciplinary science”. Since everything humanity needs and does is ultimately derived from nature, it is imperative the sciences, social sciences, policy, practice, human rights, international development, legal and financial systems, culture and the arts come together to address one of the most pressing existential crises of our time. The Collaborative Fund is designed to support such collaboration between nine biodiversity conservation organisations and the University of Cambridge.
Keywords: collaboration, conservation, effectiveness, funding overseas, joined-up-thinking
Women around the globe are at the forefront of addressing the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation; designing, implementing, and scaling up their own solutions. Yet, as a new mapping report by Global Greengrants Fund and Prospera International Network of Women’s Funds reveals, only 0.2 percent of all foundation funding focuses explicitly on women and the environment. This means that there is a great opportunity for funders committed to protecting our planet to improve their interventions by supporting compelling women-led solutions.
Keywords: effectiveness, funding overseas, grassroots, women
Why did an Australian conservation organisation email its supporters encouraging them to vote for same-sex marriage, and what can environmental funders learn from their experience?
Keywords: communications, effectiveness, joined-up-thinking, values
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