Citizens Climate Lobby empowers people around the country (and increasingly, around the world) to engage with their elected officials on climate change. Rachel’s Network Member Marianne Gabel heads one of 200 volunteer chapters of the organization and is helping people embrace their citizen muscle to tackle this big challenge.
Rachel’s Network will gather in Milwaukee in October to learn how we might address serious water challenges as funders and advocates. We are privileged to host some of the top advocates and scholars on water issues at this Fall Retreat. In advance of our Retreat, Rachel’s Network members shared their favorite books on water.
In 1987 the UN designated July 11th World Population Day to build awareness of the impact population has on development and the environment. As of this writing, the world population is estimated to be 7.239 billion. Roughly 40% is under the age of 25. The UN estimates we will grow to 9.5 billion by 2050. We are at a critical moment in history. If population growth continues as projected, living conditions will become bleaker; and water, food and land will become scarcer.
My generation of middle-class United States citizens got the message that individual achievement was the measure of success. And we also learned to be rugged individualists—never let ’em see you sweat, big girls and boys don’t cry, no thanks, no help needed, no help wanted. While there are still some holdouts who believe success and well-being are a personal matter, that delusion has been shattered for most of us. Today’s world works in collaboration—at least the smartest and happiest part of the world does.
Of all food produced in the United States, 30-40% is wasted. The Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation is working to address the problem.
