Today we have another guest blog post written by Martin Edwini-Bonsu, in partnership with the Green Career Centre. As an environmental non-profit, Martin and the GCC know first-hand how important investing in these organizations is for a sustainable future.
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Martin Edwini-Bonsu
Martin is a chemical engineering student at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus) and the Youth Green Jobs Network (YGJN) Manager at the Green Career Centre (GCC). At the GCC, Martin promotes relevant green job opportunities that help youth find employment, provides one-on-one mentorship for green job seekers, develops green career development resources, and forms partnerships with other environmental organizations. In his free time, Martin enjoys cross-country running, reading science fiction books and yoga. For GCC inquiries, contact Martin at martin@greencareer.ca.
Environmental non-profits are key to a sustainable future, so why are we not funding them accordingly?
As more people join climate action and sustainability initiatives, environmental non-profits play an increasingly important role in climate justice and environmental stewardship. Environmental non-profits support diverse initiatives, from building a circular economy to decolonizing environmental spaces. Our very own Green Career Centre is an example of a Canadian environmental non-profit making a positive impact in the world! Environmental non-profits work tirelessly to preserve the natural environment and support social sustainability.
Despite the essential work of environmental non-profits to sustain climate action, they are severely underfunded in Canada. According to a study by the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship, another Canadian environmental non-profit, less than 40 percent of youth-led environmental groups have paid staff. This requires many organizations, especially youth-led ones, to rely heavily on volunteer work. Volunteer work is beneficial for both the volunteer and the organization since it provides valuable work experience while boosting the organization’s capacity. However, volunteer work is unsustainable for those who need paid work experience to sustain their green career goals and personal expenses. Earning a living wage is especially important in a world where inflation is significantly affecting young people in the early career stage of their lives. A lack of funding not only limits the impact of the environmental non-profits, it also further entrenches wage inequities that negatively impact youth, women, and racialized communities.
Understanding why environmental non-profits deserve greater financial support only requires us to understand the large scope and importance of their work, which we will explore in this blog. We will also highlight some of the amazing organizations making a positive impact in our communities. Ultimately, investing in environmental non-profits will expand the outreach and impact of their work while ensuring those who are passionate about climate action are compensated justly.
Reason #1 to invest: Environmental non-profits advance climate policy.
There are environmental non-profits that propose climate policy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth. Public policy think tanks such as the Canadian Climate Institute and Pembina Institute push forward those initiatives. They advocate for evidence-based policy recommendations that the Canadian government can implement. They also provide feedback on existing public policy solutions that the Canadian government is proposing into law. Without these organizations, there would be far less robust climate knowledge and policy.
Reason #2 to invest: Environmental non-profits support green career development.
Finding a job can be very difficult. Fortunately, there are environmental non-profits whose goal is to make green job opportunities more accessible for youth. Organizations such as the Green Career Centre provide green career development resources that will help you optimize your LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter. They will also help you find a green career by providing access to LinkedIn groups such as the Youth Green Jobs Network, a group that posts daily entry-level green job opportunities. They also have tools that will help you find difficult-to-access internship and work experience opportunities, such as the Wage Subsidy Tool.
Reason #3 to invest: Environmental non-profits motivate sustainability changemakers and climate activism.
From Greta Thunberg to Txai Suruí, activists are bringing climate change to the forefront. Environmental non-profits like Youth Climate Lab and CityHive are helping youth become climate activists, introducing programs that allow youth to develop green skills while working on climate action projects. These programs include climate resilience collectives and innovation labs, providing youth the opportunity to develop the skills required to tackle complex challenges such as creating sustainable and just food systems.
Reason #4 to invest: Environmental non-profits encourage decolonization and Indigenous leadership.
Some environmental non-profits advocate for reconciliation, promote Indigenous leadership to address climate change, and partner with Indigenous communities to support Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. For instance, Future Ancestors Services Inc. is a social enterprise that advocates for climate justice by centring decolonized and Indigenized practices. They offer workshops and consulting services and conduct research to educate people about decolonization and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability and racism.
Reason #5 to invest: Environmental non-profits boost environmental education.
Although climate change is recognized as an urgent crisis, the Canadian education system does not adequately cover environmental literacy. In fact, climate change topics receive less than 10 hours of classroom instruction annually, and only 35% to 59% of teachers cover climate change.
Fortunately, environmental non-profits are bridging the gap. GreenLearning in Alberta provides free education programs about climate change, energy, and the green economy to mobilize students to create positive change when it comes to climate action. They adapt these programs to various subjects such as Social Studies and English Language Arts. They provide project-based and experiential learning opportunities to help students develop the critical thinking skills needed to understand complex environmental issues.
Reason #6: Environmental non-profits accelerate a circular economy.
Fast fashion and consumption trends have proven that humans consume and waste more than they need to, resulting in massive landfills and resource loss. Excessive material consumption can be reduced through circular economy initiatives, which make life more affordable and environmentally friendly. Organizations such as Regenesis have introduced circular economy initiatives in addition to the plethora of services and resources that they offer. They have a Free Store where clothing and common household items are offered for free. Regenesis also offers a Borrowing Centre for students to borrow items such as books, sporting equipment, luggage, electronics, and toys. These initiatives prevent unnecessary consumption and reduce landfill waste.
Where is the money coming from?
Environmental non-profits are clearly in need of funding, but where this funding comes from also matters. Depending on the organization’s mission and values, it may not be suitable to accept funding from just any source. For instance, the Royal Bank of Canada has caused controversy for being the largest fossil fuel financer in the world in 2022, with the bank being responsible for $42.5 billion for funds for that industry even though they invest $100 million into environmental non-profits.
Funding is thus a complicated issue, especially when it comes to just transitions. Importantly, environmental non-profits should seek funding from local to national governments and organizations that do not aim to compromise their values, undermine their work, or present a conflict of interest.
Fortunately, organizations such as Environmental Funders Canada meet the bill for uncompromised funds for environmental non-profits. The Canadian government could also set up funds for environmental non-profits that are easier to access and increase with the cost of living. Of course, everyday individuals can also contribute to environmental non-profits through one-time or ongoing donations. Every little bit counts!
Takeaways
From promoting circular economy initiatives to educating people about climate change, environmental non-profit organizations are essential for creating a sustainable future. However, they need significantly more funding to realize their full potential, overcome overhead costs and fairly compensate their staff.
By increasing financial support for environmental non-profit organizations, society on the whole is better equipped to build a sustainable, climate-resilient, and clean future for all.