We live in a very eventful time, a time of discovery and progress, yet, at the same time, an age of crisis and strife. It seems that every day a new disease is discovered, or a new war is started. Not a day goes by when the newspapers are not boasting a car bombing or a terrorist attack or some horrific effect of pollution.
Every 7 seconds a child dies from hunger; every 20 minutes an entire species goes extinct; every 3 minutes someone is murdered in the Darfur genocide.
Your reaction to this is one of two things: either you feel helpless because you want to do something but you have no idea what, or you are tired of hearing about all of this crap and you don’t care.
If the latter is your case, go away. I don’t like you.
If the former is your case, then do not despair! While it’s true that you can’t exactly fly to the rescue equipped with cape and very revealing tights, you can make a difference. It’s true. I know, if you’re like me, you’ve heard this a million times, and by now you don’t believe the words ‘make a difference’ when anyone says them. But try to believe me. Try. I’ll give you cookies if you do.
What Do I Do?
Probably the best thing you can do is visit the websites below. This is a list I’ve made of some of the best organizations working to change the way the world works. What you have to do is sign up for the newsletter on each of these sights by simply giving them your e-mail. And if you want to go farther, become a member! Hell, donate a little money if you have some to spare. And even if you don’t, donate anyway. It feels good.
http://www.conservationinternational.org/
http://www.peta.org/
http://www.heifer.org/
http://www.unicef.org/
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.freerice.com/
http://www.campaignearth.org/
http://www.worldwildlife.org/
http://www.theglobalfund.org/
http://www.one.org/
http://www.worldvision.org/
http://www.canceradvocacy.org/
http://www.wspa-usa.org/
http://www.theglobalfight.org/
http://www.earth911.org/
http://www.dosomething.org/
Each one of these websites offers something incredible to the world. By you simply signing up for their newsletters, you get emailed information and opportunities for you to sign petitions, volunteer and donate.
It takes twenty minutes to sign up. Try it. It won’t hurt. And it could be the difference between life and death for someone less fortunate than you out there. DO IT.
