Today is Giving Tuesday. It is a contrivance, made up by well meaning people, encouraging us to turn our gratitude into something tangible and donate to an organization in need. I don’t mind the continuous flood of solicitations in my inbox because I’ve come to expect them and I like traditions. But this year the table turns around and I am the one asking. I promise to only drop one letter into your email box and this is it.
Give to an environmental cause. Please and thank you. Give a little or a lot, the point is to give. I believe the heavenly angels are tapping their fingers on their desks, trying to be patient, but wondering when these lovely humans will create enough of a ground swell to save our beautiful planet. And many of us lovely humans are doing the best we can by composting, using less plastic, and buying electric cars. But the next step is to support the efforts of the people on the ground who are dedicating their lives to turn climate change around. I’d like to introduce you to one such group.
Go Conscious Earth, INC.(GCE)
If you have a smartphone, the Congo is close to your heart. Literally. The cobalt used in creating your cell phone battery is mostly coming from the beautiful, mineral rich soil of the DR Congo rainforest. The multinational companies tempt the Congolese with agreements that are not in their best interests. These companies are cutting down the forests and then mining the land for minerals. This area in the Congo also has the largest carbon sink which absorbs the carbon dioxide we breathe. This is why the Congo is known as the “second lung” of the planet along with the Amazon. We are in a real pickle here. We need our cellphones and we need to protect the rainforest. So, what do we do?
Go Conscious Earth is backing the people to protect their land, the rainforest upon which we all depend for survival. They are educating women to serve as leaders in their communities, they are holding beekeeping and cocoa workshops to create sustainable businesses, they are listening to the people and asking what they need and supporting their efforts. Please look at the GCE website. See what they’re up to. My friend Godi Godar, who founded GCE is from the Congo and knows first hand what is happening in his homeland. I’ve taken a stand with them because I believe that a grassroots (forest roots?) effort allows us to all give what we can and by doing so, create that groundswell the angels are waiting for.
So, collect your pennies and leave a bag on my porch. I'll get it to the right people. Or find another one of the amazing environmental groups that are working so hard on our behalf. Alternatively, if you feel inspired to give to Go Conscious Earth, you can also make a donation here. I assure you your money will go directly into the hands of the people who are dedicating their lives to protect our essential rainforests. A million thanks.
Acrylic by Anne M-L. Painted with Cerulean Blue, otherwise known as Cobalt, mined sustainably from the beautiful DR Congo.
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