It's Only Natural: Why Giving Back Feels So Good
When I spend time in natural places, the perspective and fulfillment I gain is invaluable. I give to environmental causes is because it feels good to make a small gesture of gratitude in return for the enormous benefits I receive from my natural world. Of course, the truth is, the environment gives me so much more than I could possibly repay.
Still when someone does something extraordinarily nice for me, I pride myself for at least making a gesture of gratitude even if I cannot fully return the kindness. I bake cookies, I invite people to dinner, I send a card. I do this because I gain from it, I feel good when I make a reciprocal gesture for something that has been given to me.
I've recently realized that giving a portion of my financial resources to environmental protection gives me a similar feeling. From the wilderness areas where I have camped and canoed to the local parks where I have hiked and picnicked, natural places have given me everything. It's only natural that I make a point of giving back.
In fact, I have a giving plan. One of my giving priorities is "responsible stewardship of Earth and its natural resources." This is favourite part of my holiday tradition: sometime around Thanksgiving, I check my giving plan and see how I am doing on my goals to contribute to certain issues.
This year, I noticed I still had the opportunity to fulfill my goals of supporting "environmental justice." This in turn meant I got to think once again about what "environmental justice" means to me.
This is what I came up with: To me, environmental justice means acknowledging that we are only visitors in an enormous web of interrelated species and environments.
Sadly, much of humanity has forgotten our role and responsibility as members of interconnected global ecosystems. Throughout our history, sectors of the human species have exerted greedy, self-serving and destructive practices over other people as well as over the rest of nature.
In a broad sense, as a North American of European decent, I have received privileges , resources and opportunities that have come from systems based on cruelty towards the earth and towards people who live harmoniously and sustainably with the earth. I seek to give to organizations that are pursuing effective strategies to address these current and historic injustices. I give to organizations that are promoting collaborative, local, grassroots, respectful processes for responding to the many threats to our environment today.
While I know that the many crises our natural world is facing are the result of a history of injustice and cruelty, I believe we must seek solutions that address the reality of our current day and age. I don't know what these solutions are. But I do know that we are not going to find them unless a wide range of voices are heard from and systems are in place to implement the solutions articulated by these voices. And yes! I'm glad you asked.
For all these reasons I choose to support Sierra Club BC. I am confident that this unique team is playing an important role in nurturing and supporting collaborative efforts necessary to envision and implement "responsible stewardship of Earth and its natural resources." My giving goal is fulfilled in this way and it feels great!
Rebecca Blumenshine is a former Sierra Club BC staff member who now continues her support as a Sierra Club BC Sustaining Member. You too can become a Sustaining Member by making a donation of $20 or more through our secure donation page or by contacting us directly.
