Horrified by the tragedy in the Gulf? Frustrated by the seeming lack of concern and effort on many fronts? I know I am. This list is courtesy of the Huffington Post. Take a few minutes and pick one or more things from the list that you can do today to make a difference.
Resources: http://www.malarianomore.org/
Sobering facts:
My own experience with malaria is limited. When I was traveling to India for work, I had to take malaria pills daily. They made me a little woozy, but I didn’t agonize over it, didn’t think I would be at risk, I simply mentioned the trip to my travel doctor and was given a prescription for the pills, which I had to take a week before and after my trip as well as daily while I was there. But I am fortunate. In many countries malaria medication and something as simple as a net are impossible to come by.
Now that you have the facts, let’s focus on what you can do to make a difference.
Take action:
Providing a $10 mosquito net is the easiest, but most effective way to protect African families from mosquitoes that bite at night and transmit malaria. Learn More >>
Malaria No More E-Cards allow you to make a gift on behalf of a friend then send them customized E-Card letting them know why you have chosen to honor them by contributing to the fight against malaria. There are cards for all occasions! Pick a design below to begin. Learn More >>
Before you can become an effective advocate against malaria, you first need to understand malaria from the ground up.
Turn your knowledge on malaria into action! Whether you'd like to spread awareness at your church, host a bake sale, or canvas your community, Malaria No More has ideas and tools to help you raise awareness and funds for life-saving bed nets. Download fundraising toolkits >>
Global awareness about malaria is on the rise and helping to promote grassroots, corporate, and public investments in ending malaria's devastating impact in Africa. To continue the positive trend, Malaria No More needs your help to get the word out. Learn More >>
Schools from across the country are dancing to make a difference in the lives of African families threatened by malaria. Here's your chance to make a difference on a global scale… and all you have to do is dance! Learn More >>
From grade school penny drives to high school science presentations to college dance fundraisers, young people are stepping out and leading the charge against malaria. Whether you're looking to do your own project or involve your entire school, we have the resources to help you succeed.Learn More >>
The program embraces soccer as a unifying factor for children worldwide.Through the program, young people in the United States can use their favorite game to save lives by raising awareness about malaria and raising money for live-saving bed nets that prevent the disease. Learn More >>
The Baby NETwork, in partnership with Malaria No More, offers friends and relatives an opportunity to honor a newborn baby, child or expectant mother. With a $10.00 honorary donation to Malaria No More, a mosquito net will be sent to protect a baby, child, or expectant mother from malaria. In the process, a network of babies helping babies is established. Through this network information is disseminated and donations collected to help fight malaria, a disease which disproportionately effects children under the age of five. Learn More >>
What action are you willing to take to support World Malaria Day?
It’s as easy as turning off the lights for an hour. Vote Earth tonight and join a worldwide movement to focus awareness on global warming.
Information from EarthHour.org:
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.
* Turn out the lights and Vote Earth today, then login and let me know how your Earth hour went.
One Simple Thing is my Friday contribution to provide you with an easy thing you can do to “be the change” you want to see in the world. Fairly ambitious, no? Think of it as part Martha Stewart (“It’s a Good Thing”) and part social activist.
Here’s our first opportunity: World Water Day on March 22, 2009. Water conservation is one of the areas I am focusing on this year, so there will be lots more info in the blog about my journey into the ways of water.
Sobering facts:
Overwhelming. But knowing the facts should empower us, not make us feel powerless. One of my favorite quotes is to work towards progress, not perfection. In that spirit, let’s consider what we can do, simple things, to change our water habits:
Take action:
Or, if you are overambitious, combine a few of the items above. I am going to renew my water conservation commitment with something simple I am sure you all have at home: a Rubbermaid pitcher. Take said pitcher with you into the shower and place it on the shower/tub floor and use it to catch the water while you wait for it to heat up. If you have a fancy tankless water heater and have hot water on demand, I am jealous of you. And you should pick another simple thing from the list. Maybe two, just because you make me jealous.
Back to the pitcher of water, I usually end up with at least a 2 gallon pitcher of water from the exercise above. I then use the water for a variety of tasks; brushing my teeth, rinsing fruits and veggies, running the disposal, and my personal favorite, rinsing out my recyclable. I was having a moral conflict with wasting clean water on rinsing out cans, so this little water gathering plan has made me much happier. Rain barrels are on my list too for spring. I will keep you posted on how that adventure turns out.
What action will you commit to for World Water Day this year?
Learn more: Treehugger’s Guide to Water Conservation
