Carolyn Fine Friedman, photo ©2016 photos by paige
Our Goal – Meaningful Change
Dear Friends,
We respond best to dangers we can see and measure. We can see melting glaciers and rising tides. We can track the incidence of measles. We meet these threats forcefully, rallying behind the organizations that focus on solving them.
Toxicity from chemicals is hard to measure, and often we only become aware of it years after the exposure – and damage – takes place. But, because of the widespread and growing use of chemicals during the past century, toxins are now pervasive in our air and water. The animals we raise for food are often rife with toxins. Toxins permeate our soils. Toxins are built into our schools, homes and workplaces.
As someone who cares deeply that all beings deserve to live their lives on a healthy planet I’ve supported many causes. Ironically, from working to preserve the majesty of wild nature I came to realize the impossibility of keeping some places pristine while allowing others to fill with toxins.
Even natural areas far from urban hubs harbor toxic pollution. Then I learned that scientists in the nonprofit sector have developed methods to detect chemical pollution in people. Their investigative work has led to the ability to map the human toxome, finally beginning to show how some of the 80,000 chemicals being used today lodge in our bodies and how they derail our critical physical systems, possibly leading to cancer, hormone disruption, developmental issues, autoimmune disorders and many other insults to the ways our bodies have evolved to function and keep us healthy.
Having my own body tested for the presence of harmful chemicals – and finding 39 of the 84 substances in the test protocol in me– was the catalyst that made me realize that we need to take more decisive action now.
Unfortunately, a general lack of concern about toxic chemicals is built into our social and economic systems. We’ve fallen for the line that says, “Chemicals are so interwoven into our lives and the economy, it would be too risky for economic and job security to eliminate them.” I wanted to challenge the status quo, and I had an idea about where to begin.
An analysis of funding trends for toxics reduction nonprofits documents how little financial support is being directed to organizations focused on reducing toxic chemicals. I want to aid these groups by increasing their visibility and helping them raise more money for their important efforts.
We’ve fallen for the line that says, “Chemicals are so interwoven into our lives and the economy, it would be too risky for economic and job security to eliminate them.” I wanted to challenge the status quo, and I had an idea about where to begin.
We have developed The RESULTS Project, an initiative of my family foundation, The Fine Fund, to take the first steps in this effort. Our goal is provide a new, more hopeful and encouraging perspective on the monumental challenge of clearing our world of toxic materials. We will do this by showcasing the work of highly effective nonprofit organizations who are addressing the problem. I have learned that some of these efforts are making progress against what is truly one of the great challenges of our time.
As funders of environmental and health projects, we all want to make educated decisions that ensure our investments produce meaningful change. I urge you to explore our gallery of nonprofit organizations that are doing just this. Please join me by supporting them in their inspiring work.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Fine Friedman
