Commonweal The state of human and ecosystem health are the focus the California-based nonprofit research institute Commonweal. Working with a program of classes, workshops, and retreats as well as national and international initiatives, Commonweal addresses broad issues of health and the environment through targeted programs such as the Commonweal Cancer Help Program, the Institute for the Study of Health and Illness, the Commonweal Juvenile Justice Program, the Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Health Care Without Harm, the Safe Cosmetics Campaign, the Commonweal Biomonitoring Resource Center, and the Commonweal Ocean Policy Program. 

Cousteau Society The legacy of famed French undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau is continued in the Cousteau Society’s mission to educate people in the understanding and conservation of the planet’s marine and fresh water systems. The Society’s concerns are wide-ranging and their impressive site tracks recent developments in marine, land, air, and even space environments. See the spectacular film clips and pictures from Cousteau’s long career of undersea exploration. 

Earthwatch Institute Personal involvement seems to be the core of Earthwatch Institute’s mission. The institute actually sends people around the world to do field research and education in aid of international environmental programs. Prospective environmentalists can select their mode of service by location or type of project. 

Global Green USA This group is part of a larger ensemble, Green Cross International, that aims to create a “global shift" in values in order to build sustainable systems for the future. Founded by Mikail Gorbachev in 1993, the organization’s main goals address climate change, encouraging green buildings and green cities and, interestingly, getting rid of weapons of mass destruction. 

Greenpeace International Still the most recognized international environmental activist group, Greenpeace’s site reflects their uncompromising, energetic and sometimes confrontational commitment to the environment. The group’s activities are listed in terms of battles and victories, with news of ongoing Greenpeace campaigns around the globe. 

Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy takes a long-term approach to protecting the environment. In fact, they monitor conditions in exceptional eco-systems all over the world and have what resembles a business plan of conservation success for each of them. The site reflects the Conservancy’s thorough, detail-oriented and ambitious goals for “The Last Great Places on Earth.” 

TakePart TakePart, formerly Participate, makes the activist in all of us want to get past our good intentions and take some action. TakePart presents issues related to current TakePart films such as sexual harassment, dependence on foreign oil, and the decline of the independent spirit of journalism. Each issue is treated as a campaign and articles and discussions about the topic are bracketed with ways to take action and links to supporting organizations. An outstanding example of e-activism.  

Sierra Club As they say on their site “The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.” Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club has long advocated the promotion of environmental by first hand knowledge. By inspiring people get out into the nature that surrounds them and learn about it, the Club seems to have fostered generations of activists who act personally and locally. 

Surfrider Foundation “To protect and to surf,“ one of the Foundation’s clever credos, sums up this California-based, nation wide movement to protect beaches, waves and even oceans. The non-profit that started with a band of surfers and a concern for keeping beaches and water clean for the enjoyment (surfing) of all, has evolved into an effective grassroots environmental movement with many political, legal and educational achievements to its credit.