Why Give to Earthwatch?

Why Give to Earthwatch?

Earthwatch is an international environmental charity that works to promote the understanding and action necessary to achieve environmental sustainability. We pursue this mission in a truly unique way - by engaging people in scientific field research around the world.

We use the research we generate to inform policy and management of the environment. We engage people in that research to create understanding of environmental problems to inspire positive environmental action at home, at work, and in the community. In the face of climate change and increasing scarcity of natural resources, there has never been a more important time for our work.

In supporting Earthwatch at the Sustainaball with your generosity, you join others who share a commitment to Earthwatch. The funds we raise are vital to our future and that of the environment we are working so hard to protect.

But, many people believe that all of Earthwatch's work is already funded by the contributions of volunteers who go on Earthwatch expeditions.

The fact is that, in 2007, contributions from expedition volunteers only funded 32 percent of the costs of Earthwatch's global activities. The majority of costs - 57 percent - came from companies, charitable trusts and foundations, international institutions, and government agencies. Just 8 percent of activities were funded by individual memberships and donations. The remaining 3 percent came from other sources.

Does this surprise you? Indeed, Earthwatch - globally and in Europe - suffers from a widely held misperception that we are fully funded by expedition volunteers.

Did you also know?

• It costs £30,000 to £50,000 to develop a new, high quality, and safe research expedition to address a key gap in our knowledge about an environmental problem.
• It costs £4,000 per person to provide research and conservation training grants to promising early-career conservationists and environmental scientists from developing countries. 
• It costs £17,000 for a team of six teachers to go on an expedition and develop related curricula for their pupils, as part of our programme for UK secondary school geography and science teachers.
• It costs £15,000 for a team of five young people to go on an expedition that builds skills along with self-confidence and pride. This is part of our programme for UK youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Earthwatch hopes to raise substantial funds through the Earthwatch SustainaBall for these and other costs of delivering our mission. Your generosity this evening is greatly appreciated!