Poverty + Development

Want to Give Back but Don’t Know Where to Start? The UN’s Global Goals Outline the World’s Biggest Priorities

Choose any goal to get behind. They all contribute to a concerted effort from citizens and world leaders alike to make our world a better place for everyone.

In the United States, Thanksgiving Thursday is when you feast with family and show appreciation for all the many ways that your life is #blessed. The following day, Black Friday, you risk getting trampled on your fight through overwhelming crowds to get the best deals. On Cyber Monday, you nurse the bruises and wounds you got from fighting in stores and instead shop online from the comfort of your home or office. It’s then on Giving Tuesday when you embrace the true spirit of the holidays by giving something back. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but every dollar really counts. You might just donate some money somewhere, or you might look into crowdfunding and set up your own fundraiser. Either way, this when you can make amends for all the people you pushed passed at the shopping mall.

Unsure of how or where you want to give back? The Global Goals provide the perfect launching point for Giving Tuesday. Each of the 17 Global Goals are designed as a blueprint and catalyst to free the globe from poverty by the year 2030. Choose any goal to get behind; they all contribute to a concerted effort from citizens and world leaders alike to make our world a better place for everyone.

Giving to environmental causes, for example, is also a gift to yourself. It’s a tangible a way to contribute towards a healthy and sustainable planet for everyone. Goal 13 outlines direct areas of action you can take to tackle climate change while also taking part in the global effort by world leaders to halt the warming of our planet.

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Just last week, the UN’s annual climate conference closed in Marrakech with the adoption of a global Action Proclamation. The international community stated with one clear voice that, “our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate and we have an urgent duty to respond”, and collectively they, “call(ed) for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority.”

Following the recent U.S. election, it is uncertain what role the superpower will play going forward in taking action to address climate change. Now, it becomes more important that individuals get involved.

In our rush to buy gifts and get the best deal don’t forget that where you spend your money matters. Supporting companies that give back and are working to improve their environmental footprint can make a big difference. It sends a message that consumers are paying attention to how their products are made and that other businesses should follow suit. Patagonia is donating 100% of global profits from Black Friday sales to grassroots environmental organizations. The CEO of Patagonia issued a statement explaining their decision and stated:

If we don’t act boldly, severe changes in climate, water and air pollution, extinction of species and erosion of topsoil are certain outcomes. The threats facing our planet affect people of every political stripe, of every demographic, in every part of the country. We all stand to benefit from a healthy environment-and our children and grandchildren do, too.

Furthermore, a number of U.S. companies joined together to issue a statement and pledged to work towards achieving the Paris Agreements goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2°C, these include the Gap, Ikea, Tiffany & Co., Nike, the North Face and many others. Shopping for gifts for family and friends can also be a way of giving back, depending on the store.

However you decide to take part, the time to give back is now. Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to give directly to support your favorite Global Goal, a local organization that is working hard, or a cause that you are passionate about.

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