More than 3% of our charitable giving should go to the environment and animals.

Depending on who you know and where you reside in the United States, you may or may not be shocked to learn that religious causes receive the vast majority of charity gifts, accounting for 28 percent of all donations in 2020. 

Education and human services aren't far behind, with 29 percent of philanthropic dollars going to them. 

While the importance of these concerns is self-evident, and increasing financing for any and all of them would be beneficial, it's concerning that the environment and animal welfare receive such a disproportionate amount of support, accounting for only 3% of all charitable donations in the United States.

However, there will be no one around to help if we do not have a livable earth. 

Environmentalism is no longer a fringe topic, and we can no longer afford to ignore it. 

We could be seven years away from the "point of no return," according to climate scientists, and humanity is already feeling the repercussions of a depleted planet—just look at the deadly cold weather that Texans saw this winter. 

It's already difficult or impossible to get warm shelter and clean water in some parts of the United States, and things are only going to become worse unless drastic measures are taken.

A major issue is a lack of apparent urgency. 

For many years, environmentalists in the United States were a nonpartisan cause, deriving from a cultural appreciation of the Americas' natural beauty, as voiced by leaders like Theodore Roosevelt. 

It wasn't until the 1980s, when environmental protections clashed with Ronald Reagan's vision of unrestrained, unregulated capitalism, that it became a contentious subject. 

This needs to change. 

Not by returning to a time when Americans cherished their land primarily for aesthetic reasons, but by acknowledging that, like it or not, we're all on the same team here.

Climate change is already having a disproportionately negative impact on vulnerable populations, which is more than enough motivation to act quickly and aggressively. 

Even for individuals who are just concerned with their own self-interest, though, the situation is grim. 

This catastrophe will eventually effect everyone on the planet.

Humans are inflicting havoc on animals as climate change wreaks havoc on us. 

Consider that 9 billion land animals—cows, chickens, pigs, and so on—are slaughtered for sustenance in the United States each year. 

(Not to mention the environmental consequences of industrial animal agriculture, such as biodiversity loss, natural resource depletion, and deforestation.) 

Over 7 million dogs and cats are in need of homes, and 300 million animals are suffering in laboratories as a result of harsh research. 

Increasing financing for animal welfare organizations could rescue or substantially enhance the lives of many animals.

There are a lot of charity evaluators who may assist people who want to stretch their altruistic funds as far as feasible. 

Giving Green assesses and recommends the most promising environmental charities in terms of their ability to combat climate change, and Animal Charity Evaluators assesses and recommends animal welfare organizations. 

Given the limited amount of money available for philanthropic causes, it's critical that we spend it carefully.

Those of us who are lucky enough to have money to offer during this difficult time should think about how we can make sure that every cause gets its fair share on Giving Tuesday. 

This involves safeguarding our planet and all of its inhabitants. 

It is essential to our survival.