Worthy Causes and Earth Prophesies

Following are worthwhile causes that one can put one's energies to during these troubling times...

Global Warming & Eco-friendly stuff (local)

New England Climate Coalition

In 2001 the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) produced an historic Climate Change Action Plan, calling for reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. The Governors of every state in New England agreed to develop a plan with specific policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2005, seven northeast governors agreed to a landmark program capping power plant global warming pollution in the region - the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI.

Also in 2005, five of the six New England states adopted policies that will cut global warming pollution from cars and trucks thirty percent by 2016.

Go to their site to read more. Includes background information, climate change effects (by state), resources, solutions, and what you can do to get involved.

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative - Guide to Teaching Renewable Energy and Global Warming

An online guide designed to make it easy for Massachusetts teachers to find useful curriculum materials, activities, and resources for teaching students about renewable energy and global warming. Lots of information here.

Greenyarn

A nanotechnology company that develops advanced materials for consumers seeking eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fabrics. Eco-fabric is a material that contains nano-particles of bamboo-charcoal, combining all natural cloth with the amazing properties of bamboo. Eco-fabric resists odor and germs, keeps cool and dry, and absorbs and emits far infra-red radiation. Their online store sells Eco-fabric socks, yoga socks, Greenfeet insoles, wristbands, and elbow guards. Greenyarn's global HQ is in Boston, Massachusetts.

Anti-War Groups and Information (local)

United for Justice with Peace (Boston)

"UJP is a regional Boston coalition of peace and justice groups which seeks global peace through social and economic justice." Regular updates of protests and vigils.

Charities, Environmental Groups, Human & Animal Rights (local)

Massachusetts Audubon Society

Helping to preserve our natural environment and wildlife habitats. Definitely a worthy cause.

Mass. PIRG

(Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group). MASSPIRG is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to serving as a watchdog for the state's citizens and environment.

Food Not Bombs/Bread & Jams

Serving healthy vegetarian meals to the city's homeless. They always need volunteers. For times and places of meals served, visit their web site, or you can call (617) 787-3436 for more info.

Amnesty International (Boston Chapter)

Fighting for human rights worldwide. They have local chapters at Wheaton College, Harvard University, and MIT.

Nature Conservancy (Massachusetts Chapter)

Protecting our wilderness areas and fragile wildlife habitats through the purchase and preservation of these lands.

Greenpeace (Boston Chapter)

One of the more famous environmental action groups, partially due to their occasional guerilla tactics. Whatever it takes. (617) 266-0098. Visit the International Greenpeace website for more information about their exploits.

Peace & Justice Event Hotline

An extremely useful resource for people interested in local meetings, protests, and other events dealing with important social issues. The telephone number is (617) 787-6809. You can also leave event listings. To move on to the next message, hit "9".

Claws & Laws/Anti Animal Mutilation

Not an organization, exactly, but one woman's spirited fight to stop a particularly vile (and widespread) animal abuse issue. Cat declawing is a horrible practice—it effects their ability to balance, and has strong effects on their personality as well. She has also fought against the practice of clipping the wings of swans at the Boston Common (to prevent them from flying off). For more information, please contact Harriet Baker at (617) 472-9618 (Quincy, MA).

Prison Book Program

(from their website): The Prison Book Program has been supplying individuals and groups of prisoners with quality reading material since 1972. We believe that literacy and access to reading materials are crucial for the personal, spiritual and political development of all people. With 2 million people locked up in our nation's federal and state prisons and local jails, and with educational programming being drastically cut, the need for our services has never been greater. Education is the only tool proven to help prevent people from returning to prison again and again.

Integrative Medicine Alliance (IMA)

(from their website): Bringing together all the world's healing traditions. Founded in 1999, the IMA is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is raising the quality of healthcare in New England by bridging the gap between alternative and conventional medicine. Our mission is to bring about a vision of affordable and effective integrative healthcare for all. We provide a focal point for the growing integrative medical movement in New England. We invite givers and receivers of care to be a part of the IMA by becoming a member, taking part in our projects, and attending our events. (for more information, visit their website)