Thursday 31 October 2024, Reading time: 5 mins
Philosopher William MacAskill, co-founder of the “effective altruism” movement, strongly argues in a recent article on ZEIT ONLINE that we must do more to protect the interests of future generations. He highlights the long-term challenges of the climate crisis and illustrates potential solutions, citing Germany’s early 2000s promotion of solar energy. This initiative played a crucial role in making solar power affordable and competitive worldwide, which MacAskill calls “one of the most effective measures ever taken to curb climate change.”
He emphasizes that everyone can contribute—whether with time or money—to safeguard our future. At Mieux Donner, we aim to empower every donor to unleash their “superpower” by supporting the most promising and effective organizations, particularly in the areas of climate protection and safeguarding the future against existential risks.
Conclusion
Giving to high-impact charities ensures your resources are used as effectively as possible to improve global well-being. By choosing organizations that rigorously measure and adapt their actions, you not only maximize the impact of your donation but also foster a broader philanthropic ecosystem that aims to help as many people as possible, grounded in transparency and evidence.
Romain Barbe
Romain is co-founder and co-director of Mieux Donner. You can contact him at romain@mieuxdonner.org or by using the contact form.
Is deciding from London or Paris who needs help and how a form of colonialism? This article examines what the critique gets right, where it goes wrong, and what effective giving does concretely differently — including its own blind spots.
Scared Straight won an Oscar and increased delinquency. Open Philanthropy invested $130 million in criminal justice reform — then changed course. Romain Barbe examines what the evidence actually says, and where your money can do the most good.
31 confirmed deaths, or nearly a million? Romain Barbe examines what the data actually say about Chernobyl’s human toll — and why the fear it generated may have killed far more than the radiation itself.
Good intentions, bad outcomes. Romain Barbe examines the tension between moral consistency and real-world impact — using sex work laws as a case study for how to choose the fights that actually work.
GiveDirectly sends $1,000 directly to households in extreme poverty — no conditions, no intermediaries. What the research shows, how GiveWell rates the programme, and why French tax relief isn’t available.
What is systemic change, and how do you tell a rigorous systemic charity from an ambitious-sounding one? A practical guide for donors, grounded in evidence and documented examples.
