Climate Resilience
Access to water and energy are two vital rights that many of us take for granted. But 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity and more than 650 million people worldwide don't have access to safe water.
These facts are made even more alarming when you realise how poverty and climate change are cruelly interlinked. One consequence of global warming is the process of desertification, whereby fertile land turns to desert, devoid of water. The repercussions of desertification are unsurprisingly catastrophic for the people and various species who call these areas home.
In other areas, it’s the lack of access to clean energy which creates a reliance on environmentally harmful energy sources such as kerosene lamps which emit toxic smoke and black carbon, a significant contributor to global warming.
In order to simultaneously protect our planet and our people, we must invest in projects that champion clean energy solutions, and which work together with communities, empowering people to become more climate-resilient.
2 Selected Charities
Tythe supports these Climate Resilience charities, selected by analysts at Giving is Great because of their high impact.
Sand Dams Worldwide
·Contrary to what the climate naysayers would have us believe, the effects of climate change are already being felt. No more so than in areas of the world where a rapidly changing climate is turning fertile land to desert. According to Sand Dams Worldwide, it's estimated 50 million people could be displaced by 2030 as a result of desertification.
Sand Dams Worldwide is an initiative working with dryland communities across Africa and India to achieve water and food security through soil and water conservation, all enabled by sand dams - a simple, low-cost rainwater harvesting technology.
If managed well, with the help of sustainable farming practices, drylands can become fertile, capable of supporting habitats, crops and livestock. In turn, that environment - the trees, the crops, the soil itself - plays a vital role in the carbon cycle and ultimately in mitigating climate change.
Why we think they're great
Sand Dams Worldwide are ambitious and that's clearly what's needed here. To date they have built 1,174 sand dams across ten countries, providing over a million people with access to clean water for life. Their goal now is to work in collaboration with other organisations, pledging to build 1 million sand dams for 0.5 billion people by 2040.
SolarAid
·Light is essential for life but without access to electricity, 548 million people across sub-Saharan Africa are resorting to dangerous, polluting alternatives like kerosene lamps and crude oil candles.
In response, SolarAid has pioneered a simple solution with a huge impact. By working together with local communities, the project has provided solar lights to homes, schools and hospitals. In real terms, that means 12,300,000 people now have access to clean, safe, solar light and 2,400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions has been averted.
Their sights are now set on lighting up every home, school and clinic in Africa by 2030 using safe, clean, solar power.
Why we think they're great
SolarAid's mantra is 'trade not aid' and that's what sets them apart from other organisations. Rather than gifting solar lights on a traditional charitable basis, they've created a sustainable local market for solar lights, through their social enterprise, Sunny Money. In doing so, they've given local people ownership over the sale of lights, have built trust in renewable energy and have created resilient local economies.
Further Reading
Other selected causes:
💨 Carbon Reduction
If we want to sustain life on this planet we need to cut our carbon emissions, while also dealing with the excess of carbon in our atmosphere already wreaking havoc on our climate. Science is leading the way in this field and there are some exciting innovations.
🐋 Marine Conservation
The ocean is a total powerhouse when it comes to regulating the Earth’s climate, yet human actions have wreaked havoc on marine ecosystems. In order to rebalance our planet, we must protect our oceans and revolutionise the way we fish, the world over.
🌲 Forest Conservation
Forests are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity and store vast quantities of carbon, but 75,000 acres are being destroyed every day by logging, poaching and agriculture.
🌞 Climate Resilience
Poverty and climate change are cruelly interlinked and this is especially true when you look at access to clean energy and water. Projects that champion clean energy solutions and which work to create climate-resilient communities are an integral part of the fight to save our planet.
🥕 Food & Agriculture
Food, agriculture and the climate crisis are inextricably linked. Fortunately there are sustainable food organisations and forward thinking farmers out there fighting for positive change. These are the people we need to get behind.
📚 Education & Advocacy
Don’t underestimate the power of a well informed public - this puts pressure on governments and businesses, and that drives change. These organisations are enabling systemic change among the mainstream by educating and challenging the status quo.
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