5 Good Reasons to Be Explicit About the Climate.
We have just six years left to implement climate solutions for the health of our planet and all living things on it. The solutions are known to us. But what is lacking is the collective will to act. A believe that all nonprofits can lead in taking action.
One of the easiest steps forward is proudly stating what your nonprofit is committed to doing. I’ve been looking for evidence that the nonprofit sector is responding to the urgent need to act, and I want to share with you what I’ve learned.
I did a short, fun research project to see if nonprofits are making public statements about their position on the climate on their websites. I started by asking people to share with me the name of a nonprofit they LOVED. I took the first 10 nominations because they represented a diverse group of nonprofits from around the country, with a mix of missions, and they ranged from local and small to national and large.
Here is what I found:
100% of websites included a mission/purpose statement
50% of websites included a vision statement
70% of websites included a DEI/anti-racism statement (only the smallest organizations that were clearly volunteer-driven were missing statements)
0% of websites included anything about a commitment to climate action. Not one in the group had a posted sustainability statement.
Not having a statement about the climate is a problem.
Here are 5 reasons why making a statement is important.
It isn’t hard to do. Your organization has likely already put together a DEI/anti-racism statement and even updated it. You already have the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to create a green mission statement. Here is a resource to help you get started.
Young people won’t join if you say nothing. Increasingly, young people are taking a stand for the future of the planet they will be living on for the next 80+ years. They are climate-first in their decision-making, including where to work, live, volunteer, and spend.
You’ll be more lovable. Making a statement that aligns with and lifts up your organization’s core values helps inspire your staff, your board, your volunteers, and your donors.
We are running out of time. The next 6 years is our window to take action to avoid raising global temperatures above 1.5*C, a point of no return that science tells us is likely to make the worst climate impacts inevitable, according to www.climateclock.world. Even small organizations need to make changes in order to help us all beat the clock.
Your organization’s long-term viability and vitality depend on it. Proactively planning for a changed climate and its impact on your mission is wise. Taking action now with long-range planning in mind will ensure the vitality of your organization far into the future.
It's time that all organizations make a public statement about a topic impacting all of us and your organization’s future viability.
Right now, check your favorite organization’s website and see if you can find a publicly posted sustainability or climate action statement. If there is one, I would love to see it and collect some examples. Please share it with me in the link below!