EcoAmerica

Last updated

ecoAmerica
Founded2005
FounderRobert (Bob) Perkowitz
TypeNon-profit organization
FocusBuilding institutional leadership, public support, and political resolve for climate solutions in the united states.
Location
  • Washington D.C. & San Francisco, California
Area served
United States
Websitewww.ecoamerica.org

EcoAmerica is a national, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, California. The organization and its programs seek to build institutional leadership, public support, and political resolve for climate solutions in the United States. [1] [2] The organization uses research-driven marketing, partnerships, and national programs. [3]

Contents

Programs

Climate for Health is one of ecoAmerica's national programs that seeks to engage the health sector for climate solutions. [4] Partnerships include the American Public Health Association, [5] the American Academy of Pediatrics, [6] the Society for Public Health Education, [7] the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, [8] the National Association of Community Health Centers, [9] the National Network of Public Health Institutes, [10]  the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, [11] Physicians for Social Responsibility, [12] the National League for Nursing, [13] the National Association of County and City Health Officials, [14] and more. In November 2021, Climate for Health published one of their "Let’s Talk Climate" webcast episodes that focused on the impacts of climate change on human reproduction and the urgent need to move society toward just and equitable climate solutions. [15]

Blessed Tomorrow is another national program that seeks to engage the faith sector for climate solutions. Blessed Tomorrow's partners span across multiple faith communities and denominations. [16] Some of the most prominent partnerships include those with Presbyterian Church (USA), [17] the Islamic Society of North America, American Baptist Churches USA, [18] United Church of Christ, [19] The United Methodist Church, [20] the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), [21] and Disciples Home Missions. [22] In 2020, the Blessed Tomorrow program partnered with Unety to bring technical and financial resources to different faith traditions across the United States with the goal of saving energy costs, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing cash flows. [23] In November 2022, the Blessed Tomorrow program convened 16 US denominational leaders in a roundtable event to collaborate on climate action. Next steps for a national faith and climate campaign began on February 16, 2023, at the National Faith and Climate Forum in Washington, D.C. [24]

Path to Positive communities is a national program that seeks to engage local communities for climate solutions. [25] In 2017, ecoAmerica teamed up with Utah Clean Energy and kicked off Path to Positive Utah: an initiative to create conversations about climate change. [26]

ecoAmerica's climate ambassador training program focuses on equipping people with the resources and knowledge necessary to act and speak on climate change and climate solutions. [27] [28] [29] Following completion of training, ambassadors are encouraged to find ways to advocate for climate solutions. [30]

Events

ecoAmerica's American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS) brings climate leaders across diverse sectors together speak on climate change and climate solutions. In 2017, the American Climate Leadership Summit was hosted in Washington, D.C. and brought together 350 leaders from around the country. [31] In 2021, with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, ecoAmerica hosted their American Climate Leadership Summit online. [32]

ecoAmerica's American Climate Leadership Awards (ACLA) is an event in which individuals and organizations taking actions toward climate solutions can apply or be nominated for an opportunity to win a share of $175,000 in cash awards. [33]

Research and Reports

Mental Health and Our Changing Climate is a report by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica. The report explains how climate change is detrimental to people's mental health. [34] [35] Overall, the report covers the impacts that climate change has on mental health, ways to build resilience amid a changing climate, and actions people can take to protect mental health. [36] The original report was published in 2017 and was later updated in 2021. [37] [38]

The American Climate Perspectives Survey (ACPS) is a survey created and administered by ecoAmerica to collect data and information from American adult respondents representing the American population and their perspectives on questions and topics related to climate change. [39] The results from this research are circulated and used to inform program operations or further research. [40] Much of ecoAmerica's research is focused on climate communications. For instance, in 2014, ecoAmerica partnered with Columbia University's Center for Research on Environmental Decisions and produced the report, "Connecting on Climate: A Guide to Effective Climate Change Communication”. [41] Another report, recognized by Yale Climate Connections, was published in collaboration with the American Psychological Association and the American Public Health Association titled, “Climate Changes Mental Health". [42]

Advocacy in legislation

ecoAmerica was among the organizations supporting the Community Wellness & Resilience Act introduced by Representatives Paul D. Tonko and Brian Fitzpatrick. The bill addressed natural disasters’ traumatic impacts on community mental health and wellness. [43]

Biden administration officials recognized ecoAmerica at COP27 as a signatory of the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge. The pledge was centered on setting and meeting targets for emissions reduction and climate resilience. [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Foundation</span> Charitable organization

The United Nations Foundation is a charitable organization headquartered in Washington, DC, that supports the United Nations and its activities. It was established in 1998 with a $1 billion gift to the United Nations by philanthropist Ted Turner, who believed the UN was crucial for addressing the world's problems. Originally primarily a grantmaker, the UN Foundation has evolved into a strategic partner to the UN, mobilizing support to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help the UN address issues such as climate change, global health, gender equality, human rights, data and technology, peace, and humanitarian responses. The UN Foundation's main work occurs through building public-private partnerships, communities, initiatives, campaigns, and alliances to broaden support for the UN and solve global problems. The UN Foundation has helped build awareness and advocate for action on, among others, antimicrobial resistance, regional action on climate change, local implementation of the SDGs, as well as global campaigns such as Nothing But Nets against malaria, the Measles & Rubella Initiative, the Clean Cooking Alliance, Girl Up, Shot@Life, and the Digital Impact Alliance, among others. In March 2020, the UN Foundation was also a key founder of the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), helping to raise over $200 million USD within the first six weeks to support the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Department of Health and Human Services</span> Department of the US federal government

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the U.S. federal government created to protect the health of the U.S. people and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America". Before the separate federal Department of Education was created in 1979, it was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Baptist Churches USA</span> Baptist denomination in the United States

The American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) is a Baptist Christian denomination established in 1907 originally as the Northern Baptist Convention, and from 1950 to 1972 as the American Baptist Convention. It traces its history to the First Baptist Church in America (1638) and the Baptist congregational associations which organized the Triennial Convention in 1814.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental health</span> Level of human psychological well-being

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is a "state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community". It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health includes subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From the perspectives of positive psychology or holism, mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and to create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. Cultural differences, personal philosophy, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how one defines "mental health". Some early signs related to mental health difficulties are sleep irritation, lack of energy, lack of appetite, thinking of harming oneself or others, self-isolating, and frequently zoning out.

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is an international non-governmental organization that focuses on sustainable development projects and disaster relief and recovery. The organization was founded in 1945 to collect and send aid to people living in post-World War II Europe. Today, LWR helps communities living in extreme poverty adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being, and responds to emergencies with a long-term view. It is a member of the Corus International family of faith-based international development organizations, which include IMA World Health, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and LWR Farmers Market Coffee.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is headed by the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Children and Families. It has a $49 billion budget for 60 programs that target children, youth and families. These programs include assistance with welfare, child support enforcement, adoption assistance, foster care, child care, and child abuse. The agency employs approximately 1,700 staff, including 1,200 federal employees and 500 contractors, where 60% are based in Washington, DC, with the remaining in regional offices located in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Denver, San Francisco, Missouri and Seattle.

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an environmental nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia. Launched in 2011, C2ES is the successor to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. C2ES works closely with policymakers and stakeholders to promote pragmatic, effective policies at the state, national, and international levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban Land Institute</span> International nonprofit organization

The Urban Land Institute, or ULI, is a global nonprofit research and education organization with regional offices in Washington, D.C., Hong Kong, and London. ULI aims to help its members and their partners build more equitable, sustainable, healthy and resilient communities.

Lise Van Susteren is an American psychiatrist, commentator, author and environmental activist. She is a general and forensic psychiatrist in Washington, D.C., and an expert on the physical and psychological impacts of climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Tonko</span> American politician (born 1949)

Paul David Tonko is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 20th congressional district since 2013. He represented the 21st congressional district from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Tonko has been called a staunch progressive. After the 2020 redistricting cycle and effective for the 118th Congress, the 20th district will include all of Albany County, Saratoga County and Schenectady County, as well as part of Rensselaer County.

The effects of climate change in Florida are attributable to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Floridians are experiencing increased flooding due to sea level rise, and are concerned about the possibility of more frequent or more intense hurricanes.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention is an American suicide prevention organization coordinating national efforts to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). It is a public/private partnership that, according to them, "catalyzes planning, implementation, and accountability for updating and advancing the NSSP. The Action Alliance works on the 2001 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and is an outgrowth of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. The Action Alliance initially focused on three high-risk populations: LGBT youth, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and military/veterans. Part of the group's campaign will be to educate on the warning signs of suicide, promoting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as community crisis clinics across the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development</span> Interfaith organization based in Jerusalem

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), is a nonprofit organization, founded and directed by Rabbi Yonatan Neril in 2010. Based in Jerusalem, ICSD connects religion and ecology and mobilizes faith communities to act. ICSD's director has spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, multiple UN climate conferences, and the Parliament of World Religions.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is the principal advisory group to the United States Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on policy development and provides coordination and support for HHS's strategic and policy planning, planning and development of legislation, program evaluation, data gathering, policy-related research, and regulatory program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of climate change on mental health</span> Effects of climate change on mental health

The effects of climate change on mental health and wellbeing are documented. This is especially the case for vulnerable populations and those with pre-existing serious mental illness. There are three broad pathways by which these effects can take place: directly, indirectly or via awareness. The direct pathway includes stress-related conditions caused by exposure to extreme weather events. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Scientific studies have linked mental health to several climate-related exposures. These include heat, humidity, rainfall, drought, wildfires and floods. The indirect pathway can be disruption to economic and social activities. An example is when an area of farmland is less able to produce food. The third pathway can be of mere awareness of the climate change threat, even by individuals who are not otherwise affected by it.

Eco-anxiety is a challenging emotional response to climate change and other environmental issues. Extensive studies have been done on ecological anxiety since 2007, and various definitions remain in use. The condition is not a medical diagnosis and is regarded as a rational response to the reality of climate change; however, severe instances can have a mental health impact if left without alleviation. There is also evidence that eco-anxiety is caused by the way researchers frame their research and their narratives of the evidence about climate change: if they do not consider the possibility of finding any solution to overcome climate change and for individuals to make a difference, they contribute to this feeling of powerlessness.

Ecological grief, or in particular climate grief, refers to the sense of loss that arises from experiencing or learning about environmental destruction or climate change. Environmental grief can be defined as "the grief reaction stemming from the environmental loss of ecosystems by natural and man-made events." Another definition is "the grief felt in relation to experienced or anticipated ecological losses, including the loss of species, ecosystems, and meaningful landscapes due to acute or chronic environmental change." For example, scientists witnessing the decline of Australia's Great Barrier Reef report experiences of anxiety, hopelessness, and despair. Groups impacted heavily also include young people feeling betrayal from lack of environmental action by governments and indigenous communities losing their livelihoods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychological impact of climate change</span> Aspect of climate change and society

The psychological impacts of climate change concerns effects climate change can have on individuals' mental and emotional well-being. They may also relate to more generalised effects on groups and their behaviours, such as the urge to migrate from affected areas of the globe to areas perceived as less affected. These impacts can manifest in various ways and affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the key psychological impacts of climate change include: emotional states such as eco-anxiety, ecological grief, eco-anger or solastalgia. While troublesome, such emotions may not appear immediately harmful and can lead to a rational response to the degradation of the natural world motivating adaptive action. However, there can be other effects on health, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for instance, as a result of witnessing or seeing reports of massive wildfires, which may be more dangerous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change and cities</span>

Climate change and cities are deeply connected. Cities are one of the greatest contributors and likely best opportunities for addressing climate change. Cities are also one of the most vulnerable parts of the human society to the effects of climate change, and likely one of the most important solutions for reducing the environmental impact of humans. The UN projects that 68% of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050. Cities have a significant influence on construction and transportation—two of the key contributors to global warming emissions. Moreover, because of processes that create climate conflict and climate refugees, city areas are expected to grow during the next several decades, stressing infrastructure and concentrating more impoverished peoples in cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Amponsem</span> Ghanaian climate activist and entrepreneur

Joshua Amponsem is a Ghanaian climate advocate and a co-founder of Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). He is the climate specialist at the Office of the UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth. He is the Lead Author of Adapt for Our Future, the first-ever research paper on the role of youth in advancing climate adaptation. His career has been more focused on grassroots climate and waste management solutions while advancing youth engagement in resilience building, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation at the international level.

References

  1. ↑ "Charity Navigator – Rating for ecoAmerica". www.charitynavigator.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  2. ↑ Broder, John M. (May 2, 2009). "Seeking to Save the Planet, With a Thesaurus". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  3. ↑ "ecoAmerica – MacArthur Foundation". www.macfound.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Check out these 6 novel ways to empower employees | Greenbiz". www.greenbiz.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Climate For Health". www.apha.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Climate for Health". www.aap.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Climate & Health". Society for Public Health Education – SOPHE. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Climate for Health Ambassador Training". C-CHANGE | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. August 16, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Environmental Health and Climate Change". NACHC. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ Starks, Maurice. "Climate and Crisis Preparedness". NNPHI. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Climate Change – ANHE". envirn.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Health Leadership on Climate | Physicians for Social Responsibility". January 31, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Climate Resource Center". Default. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Home – NACCHO 360". www.nacchoannual.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Let's Talk Climate Interview: Climate Action for Women's Health and Better Birth Outcomes". Figo. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  16. ↑ "What can we do about climate change? Greta Thunberg compels us all to be prophets". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Blessed Tomorrow | Sustainable Living & Earth Care Concerns". Presbyterian Mission Agency. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ "ABCUSA Partnership with Blessed Tomorrow". ABCUSA. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Blessed Tomorrow: A Partner in Love of Creation". United Church of Christ. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Blessed Tomorrow". GBCS. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Lutheran Advocacy PA | ELCA Launches Collaboration with Blessed Tomorrow & Releases Caring for Creation Video" . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ "» History". www.discipleshomemissions.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  23. ↑ Unety. "Project Finance Startup Unety Partners With ecoAmerica to Save 16 Million Metric Tons of CO2". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Leaders from across U.S. faith denominations gathered to accelerate climate action". Mennonite Church USA. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  25. ↑ "About Growing Climate Solutions". Growing Climate Solutions. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  26. ↑ Stilson, Ashley. "Utah business, community leaders sign declaration to address climate change". www.ksl.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Young Adult Climate Curriculum, Book Clubs, and More! [February Newsletter]". us17.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Getting ready to inspire climate change action". Presbyterian Mission Agency. December 13, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  29. ↑ Pryor, Amy (March 10, 2021). "Climate City: Spreading the Word About Climate Change". The Laurel of Asheville. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  30. ↑ May-Barnes, LaDonna (October 25, 2022). "Letter to the Editor: Reader encourages voting with environment in mind". The Coastland Times. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Former Aurora mayor speaks at national climate summit". Chicago Tribune. October 25, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  32. ↑ Krasnoff, Barbara (April 16, 2021). "How to celebrate Earth Day 2021". The Verge. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Gonzaga's Climate Center named semifinalist for national award". www.gonzaga.edu. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  34. ↑ Pierre-Louis, Kendra (March 30, 2017). "Climate change contributes to mental illness". Popular Science. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  35. ↑ Schlanger, Zoë (April 3, 2017). "Climate change is causing PTSD, anxiety, and depression on a mass scale". Quartz. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  36. ↑ "HealthNewsDigest.com". www.healthnewsdigest.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Climate change can take a toll on mental health, new report says". Washington Post. October 26, 2021. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Climate disasters will strain our mental health system. It's time to adapt". Washington Post. February 7, 2022. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  39. ↑ Puttré, Michael (November 17, 2022). "Climate Change Motivates a Reevaluation of Nuclear Energy". Discourse. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  40. ↑ EcoPreacher (October 23, 2021). "Clergy Report Preaching More about Climate Change: National Survey". EcoPreacher. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  41. ↑ Mooney, Chris (November 25, 2021). "The 7 psychological reasons that are stopping us from acting on climate change". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  42. ↑ Harrington, Samantha (February 4, 2020). "How climate change affects mental health » Yale Climate Connections". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Tonko, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Empower Communities with Resilience & Mental Wellness". Congressman Paul Tonko. October 19, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  44. ↑ Health (ASH), Assistant Secretary for (November 10, 2022). "HHS Shares Health Sector Emissions Reduction and Climate Resilience Announcements at COP27". HHS.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.