Planet Earth: Hot Mess.

Wow, hurricane season has barely started and it already seems like the Gulf of Mexico has had more than its fair share of hurricanes. Not only that, but earthquakes, landslides, and floods have pummeled regions all over the world for the past few months. Natural disasters are natural, but seeing them with this frequency and intensity is not. Warming ocean temperatures and climate change make natural disasters much worse than they otherwise would be, and we need to do our part to slow and reverse this shift buy supporting organizations and businesses who do their part for the environment. 

But right now, we’re going to break down the top few crises you should be aware of, and give you a way to help. 

#1. Here at home. 

Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico have been hard hit with hurricanes. Entire communities have been destroyed, and people have been forced to vacate their cities and homes to live in shelters or hotels. Plus, nearly all of Puerto Rico is without electricity, cell service, or clean, running water. Around 200 people have died, and many more have been injured. Donate to The Greater Houston Community Foundation, the Red Cross, or the Puerto Rico Recovery Fund. You can also organize a blood drive to ensure hospitals can treat the injured, or donate necessities here. 

#2. Our neighbors to the south. 

Within the span of about 3 weeks, Mexico was hit with 3 very significant earthquakes – an 8.1, 7.1, and 6.1. Quakes with magnitudes greater than 8 happen world wide only once every one to two years, so to have this many strong quakes in succession is extremely rare. Well over 300 people have died, and countless others are still missing or are injured. Both local and global organizations are sending aid, and you can donate here or here. 

#3. Our friends to the east. 

Southern and South East Asia have had incredibly deadly floods and landslides this summer. In the Indian region alone, over 1000 have lost their lives, and tens of millions have lost their homes and been displaced. Global organizations who have worked in the region are helping with aid and rescue. You can contribute here. 

#4. Our African allies. 

Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo have had devastating landslides that have not only claimed hundreds of lives but put many others at risk. These disasters multiply the dangers of health risks already prevalent in these communities such as water-borne illnesses and starvation from famine. These organizations are helping, and you can help too. 

As tragic as this is, when disaster strikes we can use it as a reminder that we are all global citizens who must help one another in times of crisis and continuously do what we can to mitigate the risk of these tragedies. If you know of another way to help, please let us know and we will be more than happy to share. 

To those that get involved, 

images via The Weather Channel, NBC News, The New York Times, Space.com, and Vox.