Are you concerned about climate change? There are so many reasons to take action for a better world, but sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees! That is why you will find an overview of various climate organizations below that you could join. Because what exactly do these organizations stand for? I will explain the organizations below in more detail in this post:
Extinction Rebellion
Animal Rebellion
Climate Save Movement
Fridays For Future
Milieudefensie
Code Rood
Grootouders voor het Klimaat
Which organization suits me?
One of the most important things is to find a group you feel comfortable with, and see if you can get acquainted first. Or take the plunge and sign up for an action to try it out! They often organize meetings for newcomers, or you can keep an eye on the events via Facebook. Some action groups focus more on education and information. Others focus more on the energy transition, or the plant-based protein transition as part of the solution. Sometimes they take action on the streets, or demand change through the courts. Below I briefly summarize what each organization stands for, but also take a look at their website or social media to get a better idea of their campaigns.
What can you do within an organization?
Action groups such as the ones below are always looking for people to participate in actions, but even more important are volunteers who can free up some time to help with organizing. For example setting up actions and campaigns, helping with social media, press information or in the financial or legal field, or recruiting & integrating new members. So you don’t necessarily have to go out on the streets to take action, you can also help behind the scenes. There is always something to do, for everyone!
The most well-known climate organisations in the Netherlands
Milieudefensie
Milieudefensie is a large organisation with many members and donors. They are also supported by the National Postcode Lottery and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which gives them a relatively large budget to set up large, national campaigns. They also have two international programmes running; one to prevent oil pollution and climate change and another programme to protect forests and their inhabitants. They fight for a fair and green world, and they hold politicians and companies accountable through legislation. Read more about their already achieved successes here.
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion is an international movement consisting of citizens who are seriously concerned about the climate and ecological crisis. Through peaceful, creative and disruptive actions they try to stop the consequences of these crises. They demand that the government is honest about the climate crisis and does what is necessary to stop climate change and biodiversity loss. In addition, they demand that citizens can participate in decision-making about the transition through a citizens’ council. Read more about their demands here.
Animal Rebellion NL
Animal Rebellion is an international movement that split off from Extinction Rebellion. They specifically focus on the main cause of global warming: livestock farming and fishing. They campaign for a fair and sustainable plant-based food system through non-violent civil disobedience and (online) campaigns. Animal Rebellion demands that the government and large companies are honest about the impact of livestock farming and fishing on the climate, and help farmers make the transition to a plant-based system as soon as possible. Read more about their demands and core values here.
Climate Save Movement
Climate Save is part of the Animal Save Movement.
During Climate Save actions, they show images from livestock farming, which is the cause of deforestation, water and soil pollution, greenhouse gases, water scarcity and dead sea zones. During these street actions, they also hand out flyers and provide information about the link between livestock farming and the climate crisis. Their goal is to end livestock farming, reforest the earth and phase out fossil fuels.
Fridays for Future consists of schoolchildren and students who strike for the climate. Inspired by Greta Thunberg, these young people strike and demonstrate for an ambitious climate policy that reduces inequality in society (instead of increasing it). During their actions and campaigns, they demand investments in climate jobs, sustainable energy for everyone, local, ecological production of food and consumer goods and a free, extensive public transport system.
Code Red is an organization of citizens who fight against the fossil fuel industry and its power. Through civil disobedience, they take action against large companies that are responsible for the extraction, shipping and combustion of fossil fuels, and against the governments that allow these companies to continue without limits. Read more about their Shell Must Fall! campaign here.
Grandparents for the Climate is an international movement that wants to keep the earth liveable for the next generations. They call for an accelerated transition to a 100% sustainable energy supply. That transition is already underway, and Grandparents for the Climate are committed to this. In the Netherlands, Grandparents for the Climate are active with Square meetings, reading activities, lectures and of course by signing and presenting the Manifesto. Check out their current campaigns here.
I am concerned about climate change, but I don’t have time to help!
Of course, perhaps you can’t make time to help, because of a busy job, children, or any other reason. Fortunately, there are other ways to help. Like, share, and respond to their social media posts. Or consider making a one-time or monthly donation! With that, they can, for example, recruit new members, purchase materials, pay fines or lawsuits.
Do you have a good tip or addition for this list? Please let me know.
This blog is for informational purposes only and based solely on my opinion. It is in no way sponsored or affiliated.
