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I was a teenager when the first Earth Days were organized in the early Seventies. Despite fierce worldwide struggles against war, violence, and oppression, environmentalism was animated by optimism. People spoke unironically about peace, love, and harmony as they promoted bicycling, recycling, vegetarianism, river clean-ups, and an end to nuclear testing and weapons. Their efforts catalyzed the global environmental movement and gave rise to changes in policy and practice that we still benefit from today.

On September 12, 2024, Panama established the Saboga National Wildlife Refuge, protecting critical sea turtle habitats in the Pearl Islands. This initiative aligns with Panama’s “Rights of Nature” law, championed by marine biologist Callie Veelenturf, advancing legal protections for nature and endangered species in the region.

Renu Mittal is a program officer with the Walton Family Foundation Environment Program’s oceans initiative. Renu’s work supports communities in Chile, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, and the United States in striving to make fishing the sustainability success story of the 21st century. Read Renu’s article about Elsa Vega, a Peruvian woman who went from fish processor to boat owner to industry leader and activist, all while breaking barriers for women in a male-dominated realm.

Oak Foundation recently announced comprehensive scoping studies that explore opportunities that exist for philanthropic partnership in the Global South. These studies offer a treasure trove of information, including detailed philanthropic landscape analyses, profiles of prospective partners, and essential principles and practices for effective support.

Leah Penniman is interviewed on The Heinz Endowments’ “We Can Be” podcast. “We Can Be” explores candid conversations about the big issues of the day with some of the most accomplished, caring and action-oriented individuals in the social change arena.

This year marks a momentous milestone for The Kresge Foundation: our Centennial — a century dedicated to fostering opportunities across the United States and the world.

The U.S. National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation are investing $16 million across 10 projects that will conduct basic science with direct conservation applications to benefit species and ecosystems.

On August 9, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published “Constructing Valid Geospatial Tools for Environmental Justice,” supported by the Bezos Earth Fund and developed by the Committee on Utilizing Advanced Environmental Health and Geospatial Data and Technologies to Inform Community Investment. 

Savanna Ferguson, Executive Director of Climate Breakthrough and Nancy Lindborg, President and CEO of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation discuss philanthropy and overcoming structural issues to create greater impacts.