The coronavirus pandemic and social distancing practices are persisting, but so are the social problems you want to solve. Here are 10 small ways you can make a positive impact on the world from afar.
Despite the distance and uncertainty of the COVID-19 era, the benefits of volunteering are still the same. From Amnesty International’s network of digital volunteers that help research human rights violations to Crisis Text Line’s 24/7 support system, there are countless ways to give your time to a meaningful cause (from your couch). DoSomething.org connects virtual volunteers to campaigns that tackle real-world challenges. The movement’s victories include urging Apple to diversify its emojis and creating the largest crowdsourced anti-bullying guide.
You can spread messages of tolerance and support people who face injustices no matter where you are. Learn about what it means to be a good ally by empathizing with and elevating others. Be a source of accurate information for friends or family who are seeking it, and commit to standing up for the individuals, communities, or groups you want to support.
Countless nonprofit organizations around the world are committed to the issues you care about. Some are struggling to continue supporting their communities as the COVID-19 crisis affects traditional funding sources and makes daily operations more difficult. Giving a little lets them help the people most in need during the pandemic.
The power and influence of social media is undeniable, so consider sharing more than selfies or cat videos. Think about what you want to say and the best way to say it. Conversations and action are driven by hashtags like #GenerationEquality, #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, #EndGunViolenceTogether, and so many others focused on important causes.
Boost the power of the crowd by signing a petition through MoveOn.org. The platform’s petitions are created by everyday people and aimed at solving systemic issues and fueling grassroots campaigns. Recent petitions include a call to celebrate Harriet Tubman with an honorary day in Orlando, Fla. and a request to protect wildlife from light pollution near the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.
If less social interaction has left you with more time on your hands, use it to learn about societal challenges, solutions, and how you can make a positive impact on them. There are loads of webinars, conferences, and training opportunities available online. You can also share your knowledge on social impact by contributing to crowdsourced resources.
If you know someone who is passionate about preserving the environment, making education accessible, or any area in between, give them a chance to support it. A GlobalGiving Gift Card lets them choose a project working for an urgent cause close to their heart.
Doing something nice for another person, whether a friend, relative, or stranger, is a small but surefire way to make the world a better place. If you’re looking for suggestions, this quiz will help you find out what random act of kindness is perfect for you.
When we oversimplify complex ideas and issues into two opposing sides, we ignore many of the details. Creating these general categories can result in binary thinking. Although it is a way to cope with uncertainty, binary thinking can also limit our opportunities to empathize with others. The Ethos process helps decision-makers move past this challenge to think of creative “third-way” resolutions to dilemmas.
Find out what your favorite cause or campaign is doing amid COVID-19 restrictions and connect online. FridaysForFuture, for example, is forging on with digital options to allow people to participate in events like their global day of climate action on March 19. Other organizations are also offering ways to take action online—because no amount of social distancing can stop the movements.
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