One of the primary aims of the SOLCYCLE was to try to raise money for 3 very special charities and donations remain open- to try to raise funds for and generally increase awareness about these most critical of issues influencing the modern world.
Cool Earth
Half the world's rainforests have been lost over the last 40 years, Cool Earth is working with local people to protect them.
Rainforests are one of the most valuable resources on the planet. They are one of the most hospitable environments for life on the planet, with regular, high rainfall and temperatures and, they harbour the greatest diversity of animals and plants anywhere on land. Jungles cover only 6% of the planet's land surface, and yet they contain more than half of the world's terrestrial species. After millions of years of evolution, these creatures are often specific to one particular area, and their diversity and adaptation is an amazing wonder of the world to be protected, learnt from and used in new technologies and medicines. These areas regulate climate locally and store carbon from warming the earth on a global scale as well as providing traditional livelihoods for indigenous communities and resources for everything from food and shelter to construction, clothes and medicine internationally. However, these precious, significant resources are not recognized enough. 75 football pitches of this uniquely adapted ecosystem are destroyed every minute, primarily for palm oil plantations and cattle ranching for growing populations' increasingly wealthy diets. Every year, an area the size of Belgium filled with animals and plants is cut down. Much of it is quickly slashed to clear the land, and huge trees which previously took in carbon dioxide are burnt, releasing it into the atmosphere contributing to climate change. Cool Earth puts the rainforest in the hands of local people to provide them with livelihoods, improving their quality of life without big corporations buying up the land for plantations, ranches, mines, houses or roads. It is estimated that we have only discovered one quarter of the world's species. Another 5 million could lie out there but, with deforestation they lose their habitats and many will go extinct before we have even learnt of the potential solutions they could hold. Extinction is forever; this is the only known life in the universe, bundled right here in little pockets which need to be protected. |
Stand Against Racism & Inequality
In changing times, it is more important than ever to make sure that the UK is not a divided society, SARI provides support and education to help victims of hate crime and promote cultural awareness.
In the 21st century we live in a globalised society of many cultures, races and beliefs. Although awareness of racism is much higher than in the past, many social groups are still prejudiced against and the growing division in the western world has been highlighted by events such as Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US. In these times it is crucial that we are educated about and not isolated from others despite aggressive media around issues such as terrorism and immigration. SARI provides a platform to report hate crime and gives support and advice to victims of hate through direct casework to work through and tackle long-term issues in their communities. It also promotes equality and good relations between people through education in schools about hate crime and cultural awareness tours. |
Camfed
Education is one of the most important human rights. Camfed gives African girls this: a right to a brighter future.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 28 million girls are out of school. Without money, access or even rights to an education, in some parts of the world, girls are not given a chance to a childhood and to learn. By investing in a girl's future, providing schools, paying for fees, uniforms and all associated costs, Camfed changes everything. Educated, she'll earn up to 25% more per year in secondary school, be 3 times less likely to become HIV-positive, having a longer and happier life, but will be more likely to marry later and have a smaller, healthier family. This in turn is one of the most effective and ethical ways of fighting climate change and deforestation. Growing populations are the leading cause of these issues through settlement expansion and growing demand for resources but through education, girls are more likely to develop themselves and then have a smaller, more sustainable family. In addition to this, educated girls typically invest 90% of their higher earnings into their families, providing their own children with a better quality of life and educating them and their communities- catalysing systemic change. |