Gina & Henry - Oceans, Woodlands & Rainforests

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After having spoken to a number of different Environmental Specialists we identified three charities where we felt these donations would have a large potential for impact.

We are raising money in aid of:

* The National Woodland Trust

* Blue Marine Foundation

* Synchronicity Earth

Every donation will go a long way, and help to protect the planet for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you in advance for your contributions to these causes that mean so much to us.

Please see some more information on our charities below:

The National Woodland Trust

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

The UK is the least wooded country in Europe. 

Trees play a vital role in nature, the climate and our wellbeing.

The National Woodland Trust are planting and establishing 20 million trees in the UK by 2030 as part of their commitment to tackling the climate and nature crises.

You'll help these historical, beautiful and natural places, and many more people to be able to create new memories with their friends and family in leafy green spaces.

Blue Marine Foundation

www.bluemarinefoundation.com

Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) is a charity dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by addressing overfishing, one of the world's biggest environmental problems.

The ocean is the world's largest carbon sink: by combatting overfishing, we can help life in the ocean perform its vital function of stabilising the Earth's climate.

BLUE’s mission is to see at least 30% of the world’s ocean under effective protection by 2030 and the other 70% managed in a responsible way.

Synchronicity Earth

www.synchronicityearth.org

Synchronicity Earth aims to be a different kind of conservation organisation. They are a research-driven organisation, raising and distributing funding to the conservation sector globally.

They analyse gaps in conservation action and funding, building a picture of the regions, species and ecosystems where targeted funding and support could have the greatest impact (to prevent species loss and ecosystem collapse, whilst supporting local communities).

By understanding who is working on an issue, how it is funded and working to coordinate action they help to avoid some of the most common obstacles to effective conservation.

Some scary facts!

• If we don't act now it is estimated that our oceans will be empty by 2048.
• 90% of the world's coral reefs will die by 2050.
• The Amazon rainforest is now emitting more CO2 than it absorbs, due to deforestation and degradation. The giant forest had previously been a carbon sink, absorbing our emissions, and it needs our protection... fast!

But there’s still hope...

David Attenborough's latest documentary 'Climate Change - The Facts'  highlights how nations rallied back in the 1980s to stop using the chlorine-based chemicals that were depleting the ozone layer in the southern hemisphere.

Attenborough explains that this is an example of governments acting on a threat, and shows what can still be done to stop the climate crisis today.

He points out that the world has already warmed by 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels, and to keep it at no warmer than 1.5 degrees, we need a fossil fuel free economy in the next 30 years.

That means this next decade is crucial: if we steadily cut our emissions by half every year, the world will be able to reach its targets.

Meanwhile, he says major tree planting efforts can help in a myriad of ways, halting soil erosion, and helping to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

A flexitarian diet, and eating less red meat, for example, is also key. “Eating healthy food might be one of the most effective ways to help save the planet.” 

Finally Attenborough explains that moving towards a circular economy — where resources are renewed instead of constantly having to be created from scratch — will help enormously to take the pressure off the planet’s natural systems.  

“The future is not determined, it is in our hands,” he says.