Environmental Causes to Care About

This week I decided to mix things up and throw out a survey. Sustainability has many faces-it's not all about "going green" or plain recycling. There are two causes I believe will define this decade and maybe even our generation. If you're looking to support a truly valuable cause, look no further.

Property of http://water.org

Water.org  has been pioneering innovative solutions to the global water crisis for more than two decades. Water is more than just something that flows freely from our taps. Many people simply don't have access to water for cooking, bathing or drinking. According to the site, a child dies every twenty seconds from water-related illness. Every twenty seconds. That definitely made me think twice about taking ridiculously long showers. Many women are forced to walk long distances and spend unbelievable amounts of time collecting water. Water.org is doing more than raising awareness and there are simple ways for everyone to get involved. Co-founder Matt Damon officially began a "toilet strike" in March 2013 when he realized toilet water is cleaner than the water available to nearly one billion people worldwide. Hundreds have joined and support the movement by using the hashtag #strikewithme on Twitter or making donations. Support the strike. Strike with me.  Whether it means simply getting involved socially with the Water.org Facebook cover photo, joining a community of athletes on TEAM.Water.org or making a simple donation, "there is no shortage of ways you can make a difference." Everyone deserves to be empowered with safe water.

An image from the World Wildlife Federation's
campaign to end wildlife crime.
Property of http://worldwildlife.org

You don't have to be an animal lover to be passionate about stopping wildlife crime. This deadly serious crime presents a devastating threat to elephants, rhinos and tigers. If we want to protect our wildlife for future generations, changes have to be made. Earlier this month after nearly 1.5 million people signed a petition to ban ivory trade, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced the end of the elephant ivory trade in Thailand. Thailand is considered the world's largest unregulated ivory market and poaching is at an all time high. Anyone can sign the pledge to stop the elephant slaughter at avaaz.org.  Elephants aren't the only species at risk of extinction: tigers and rhinos are also helplessly subjected to the bloodshed for qualities that make them beautiful and distinct in the animal kingdom. The World Wildlife Federation is urging people to join their campaign to speak up for the animals, push for government reform and encourage others to ask questions before buying wildlife products. Poaching is an immediate threat to tigers, where every part from the whisker to the tail are used in products like rugs. Tigers are also poached for medicinal usage and folk remedies.

Property of http://worldwildlife.org

Animal Planet is currently airing a three-part miniseries documenting the commercial demand for rhino horns on "Battleground: Rhino Wars."   South African rhinos are hunted relentlessly for their horns, leaving baby rhinos to fend for themselves, separated and alone. According to Animal Planet, nearly 700 rhinos were killed in 2012. Park rangers and security forces are simply unable to handle the situation, essentially forcing U.S. Special Forces and veterans to step in on their behalf.  If you still don't think it's a serious cause, I urge you to click on the link above to learn more about the show or watch this video from the Today Show about the rhinos' fight to survive.

Hopefully this post sheds at least a small beam of light on how important sustainability is when considering both the survival of our wildlife and providing clean water for our planet.