International Environmental Organizations That Work for the Good of Our World
The upcoming global environmental problems became especially tangible in the second half of the 20th century, prompting the international community to finally turn their attention to ecological issues. With the development of industrialization, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of tropical forests, water pollution, reduction of wildlife, etc. have increased. While many environmental organizations are intergovernmental and work, for example, under the auspices of the United Nations (UNEP, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)), there are also many non-governmental organizations in the field of environmental protection. They will be mainly discussed in this article.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
The activities of this international charitable environmental organization are aimed at studying and preserving the environment. The impetus for its foundation was the trip of the then General Director of UNESCO, Julian Huxley, to Africa, during which he identified the threat of extinction of many animal species. Its foundation (1961) coincided with the arrival of the Chi-Chi panda at the London Zoo, hence the organization’s animal-inspired emblem.
Today, WWF is present in more than 100 countries around the world, while its first representative office was opened in the Swiss city of Morges. One of the many significant and successful projects carried out by the organization is the preservation from extinction and the growth of the white rhino population. They also took the initiative to hold Earth Hour annually, when residents from all over the world turn off the lights for one hour.
Greenpeace
The environmental organization Greenpeace, which emerged in the early 70s, was a response to the intentions of the US government to test a nuclear bomb off the coast of Alaska. The tests took place, but not on a full scale since an expedition of caring environmentalists and activists went there by boat. In the future, more and more people joined the ranks of the organization, and their activities often looked like a direct presence and prevention of damage to nature on the spot.
Over time, Greenpeace’s activities began to grow with financial support and acquired the formats of rallies, petitions, blocking activities of enterprises, as well as using in-depth research and not always acting head-on. Greenpeace offices are represented in 43 countries of the world and are engaged in a variety of biological species; they carry out campaigns to protect the atmosphere against toxic substances and nuclear testing.
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
This international non-profit organization is perhaps the largest in the world in its field of activity. It was established in 1981 with the aim of protecting animal welfare. WSPA actively helps animals in distress, for example, due to war, natural disasters, loss of their owner, and in need of care. The organization also promotes initiatives at the legislative level and influences governments to gradually minimize cruelty to animals.
BirdLife International (BLI)
This non-governmental organization, in turn, was created to pay special attention to the extinction of bird species and protect nature in general. It includes a large number of cooperating public organizations, natural scientists, ecologists, ornithologists, and the total number of employees involved in nature conservation is more than 2 million in the world. Having identified the threat to the life of birds, representatives of the organization also find suitable territories for their life and protect them while restoring their usual habitats. BLI has existed for a century, and today its president is a representative of the Japanese imperial family, Princess Takamado.
Green Cross International, GCI
This environmental organization was founded in 1993 after the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its purpose is to prevent and resolve situations related to the environmental situation, help people who find themselves in a difficult situation due to environmental consequences, as well as create legal and ethical standards for a safe eco-environment. Green Cross International is headquartered in Geneva and has branches in 30 countries around the world.
The Global Network on Environmental Science and Technology (Global Nest)
This international association includes scientists, technologists, engineers, and other scientific researchers who use the most modern approaches to studying various aspects of the environment, improving its quality using environmentally friendly technologies. In addition, Global Nest is very active in the information field, organizing global conferences for the exchange of experience and knowledge, funding research projects, and supporting publications in the media.
