On April 20th, 2010, the largest offshore oil spill in the nation began. Now, over two months later, we still haven’t been able to contain it. This oil spill is our nation’s worst environmental disaster, ever.

Environmental organization Global Green U.S.A. recently released a newsletter stating that they were going to do something about the spill. As one of the leading green rebuilders of New Orleans, they’re confident that they’ll be able to respond well to this disaster. In order to effectively do something about the oil spill, Global Green needs your help.

Top 10 Ways for YOU to help with the Oil Spill:

1.) Clean your house, clean the coast: Hold a garage sale and send the profits to Global Green, United Way, The National Wildlife Federation or The Nature Conservancy.

2.) Stay informed: Read the “Global Green U.S.A.” blog posts to keep up to date with the latest information regarding green technologies, charity/benefit events, and of course updates on the oil spill.

3.) Hold a fundraiser: Organic bake sales and lemonade stands are a great way to raise money to send to Global Green or any other organization involved in the oil spill. Not only will you get to enjoy baking and eating yummy treats, but you’ll also being doing a good deed.

4.) Donate your hair: Organizations like Matter of Trust have been collecting long hair, fur, wool, etc to create super oil absorbing mats that have been effective and helpful in cleaning the oil from the water and beaches.  So if you’re ready for a haircut, be sure to ask your hairdresser to save the locks you chop off!

5.) DON’T boycott BP Gas Stations: Yes, this statement goes against everything you’ve heard in recent weeks but, the truth is, your local BP station is just a licensed franchise and boycotting it could only hurt the local businessman who owns it.  What comes out of the pumps could be from a completely different company. Instead, boycott stations that are known to be supplied by BP like Castrol, Arco, Aral, AM/PM, Amoco, Wild Bean Café, and Safeway. With these stations, BP gets all of the earnings.

6.) Adopt a Bird: The International Bird Rescue Research Center has created an opportunity for individuals away from the Oil Spill to help clean birds affected by the oil. This “Adopt a Bird” program is a unique and cool way to get involved and help the animals. For a certain monetary donation, a specific species of bird (i.e. ducklings, pelicans, etc.) will be rescued and rehabilitated.

7.) Text to Help: Text the word “NWF” to 20222 to donate $10 to the National Wildlife Federation through your phone bill.

OR

Text the word “United” or “Coast” to 50555 to donate $10 from your phone bill to United Way’s Gulf Recovery Fund and The Nature Conservancy Fund for Gulf Restoration!

8.) Reduce your reliance on oil: Biking when possible is a great way to save money on gas, get some exercise, and lessen your dependence on oil. Buying locally grown foods and produce requires less oil because trucks aren’t driving half way across the country to deliver food to your franchise grocery stores. It’s nice to support local farmers, and Farmer’s Markets are an awesome way to connect with your community.

9.) Dish Soap Donations: Dawn Soap has been involved in supporting clean up for oil spills for many years, and are continuing on with this tradition for the BP Oil Spill. Each Dawn Soap bottle you have can be used to donate $1 to the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center. So dig up those Dawn bottles and send them on over to help with the oil spill!

10.) Shop to Help: Popular online consignment shopping site, Etsy.com, has created a separate “shop” called “Help the Gulf Coast” where sellers donate 100% of their profits Oxfam America and the National Wildlife Federation.  So add some flair to your wardrobe or spruce up your home decorations while helping the Gulf Coast!

The Gulf Coast Oil Spill isn’t going to clean itself up. It’s up to us to do something about it! We are the generation capable of making the most change.

Join forces with organizations such as Global Green U.S.A., which are dedicated to doing what they can to help this cause.

We understand that it might be tough to do hands on help on the gulf coast, so we hope you’ll be inspired by the tips we have provided so that you, too, can help the oil spill from the comfort of your own home!