Earth.org Weighs in on Environmentalism Amidst a Pandemic

Earth.Org, a not-for-profit environmental news source, collects articles from prominent researchers, academics, and journalists. It then spreads that truth around the world on environmental issues.

This outreach is more necessary than ever, as climate change is a complicated global problem becoming increasingly precarious by the day, as is the pandemic. Earth.Org takes various global factors into account, as addressing these issues requires a widespread, well-informed, and trusted international community.

Introducing Earth.Org

The news source has been based in Hong Kong since its launch in 2019. Constant Tedder, its founder, has led a long career as a social entrepreneur. He founded the Hive, a significant co-working space network, and he sought to expand sustainable practices through Earth.Org.

He says, “The issue of climate change will have dramatic impacts, on all humans and animal species on the planet, unless our current self-destructive paths are altered to better more sustainable pathways.”

Floortje van der Grinten, Earth.Org’s Head of Business Development and Operations, expands on the positive structural impact that Earth.Org hopes to make. She says, “Earth.Org’s ultimate hope is to stir action within society.”

She believes, in alignment with Earth.Org’s mission, that ecological news can make a real difference. She says, “It enriches our understanding of the interdependence between man and nature, the very nature that is essential to our well-being and prosperity.”

(Earth.Org operates from a Hive location-based in Hong Kong)

Network

Earth.Org gathers articles from a variety of contributors, as it draws professionals from many fields. The reality of climate change involves political, social, and geographic factors, and the diversity of Earth.Org’s content reflects this.

Van Der Grinten says, “We have journalists and researchers who have experience in environmental sciences, economics, political sciences, and conservation, as well as those who are simply passionate about the climate crisis and have valuable insights to share.”

The team collects articles from writers around the world. Then, it edits, markets, and distributes them through its platform. Anyone interested in writing, editing, or research can contact Earth.Org through a volunteer form.

Work in Context

Earth.Org deals with a far-reaching, global issue. However, its base in Hong Kong lends it a specific, critical perspective. Business intern Vanessa Liew notes that Hong Kong’s environmental problems rarely make it onto global platforms. However, Earth.Org highlights them along with all its other content.

Earth.Org shares environmental news from primary world sources like CNN and BBC. It also includes more local authorities; Liew cites the South China Morning Post, or SCMP, as an example.

She notes a recent Earth.Org article on the largest shark fin seizure in Hong Kong’s history. The region’s prevalent shark finning problem gets very little coverage in comparison to other environmental issues.

Socio-Ecological Ideals

Earth.Org’s team members take personal pride in its mission. Van Der Grinten says it aligns with her personal goal to be an “environmentally conscious and socially responsible individual.”

Liew believes in the social benefits of ecological news. As a student at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, she seeks to concentrate on Environmental Policy and Management. She wants to use her business education to make “organized change.”

“The focus for me,” she says, “Is to contribute as much as I can to my broader environmental goal.”

She believes that organizations like Earth.Org help individuals conceptualize and address specific environmental problems. She says, “I think that people look to these organizations to determine how they want to wrap their heads around things.” As a targeted database of knowledge, she says, Earth.Org has great mobilizing value. It breaks problems down, and it makes them more approachable.

(Guests at an Earth.Org event learn environmental news and share discussion.)

Projects and Growth

Just after its foundation, Earth.Org published 12 articles a month. Now, the number has risen to 50 or more. Earth.Org also runs worldwide awareness events. It guides film screenings and video projects, and it plans to launch an educational platform soon.

Earth.Org for Kids will supplement childhood education. It will provide news and resources geared toward children, increasing both reading comprehension and environmental knowledge.

The site has recently added a Conservation category to highlight environmentalist organizations. It aims to spread the work of smaller organizations to a global audience.

Liew says, “People’s voices are amplified at different levels.” She appreciates that Earth.Org uses its large platform to protect the earth and inform its peoples. In her view, it uplifts important voices. It acts upon its responsibility and privilege as a global platform.

Environmentalism During the Pandemic

Earth.Org has addressed the current pandemic as an environmental issue. It has also analyzed risk factors for future pandemics, which climate change could exacerbate.

Liew mentions an article on Brazilian deforestation as an example. It links rainforest destruction to an increased risk of animal-borne diseases. Such illnesses spread more quickly when animal habitats and migration patterns are interrupted. Another article analyzes COVID-19’s effect on plastic pollution. As an article on social inequality, some Earth.Org offerings look at the pandemic through a sociological lens.

In light of the misinformation surrounding the pandemic, Earth.Org hopes to provide relevant and reputable research. Liew says, “I think that Earth.Org is really trying to seize this opportunity. This is a hot topic right now that’s uniting pretty much everybody around the world.”

How to Contribute

There are many ways to support Earth.Org’s mission. To help it enlighten the world on environmental issues, individuals can donate or volunteer to curate content. They can also subscribe to the site’s biweekly newsletter, keeping up-to-date on its most topical news.

Van Der Grinten encourages biodiversity-related organizations to send content to conservation@earth.org. The news source always seeks to expand its global network.

Written by Olivia Cipperman