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This means we need to think about cause selection.
Instead I’m going to introduce a framework for thinking about the question, and then use that framework to suggest some causes that, on the basis of research at GiveWell and the Centre for Effective Altruism, I think should be given high priority.
Scale, Tractability and Neglectedness,
Since the 1990s, incarceration rates in the US have increased dramatically despite a fall in violent crime in that period. According to expert criminologists, incarceration rates could be reduced (especially for low-risk offenders) by 10% or more while keeping levels of criminality the same, or even reducing them.
The Pew Charitable Trusts Public Safety Performance Project aims to make criminal justice policy more effective and evidence-based by providing technical assistance to states, doing policy evaluations, providing information on what works, and fostering broad political support for specific policies.
BetaGov (accepts donations via GiveWell), led by Professor Angela Hawken of Pepperdine University, is a start-up centre that provides tools to help practitioners conduct experimental trials of policies.
The University of Chicago Crime Lab (accepts donations) runs randomised controlled trials to provide evidence-based criminal j...
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Several economists have estimated that the total economic gains from free mobility of labour across borders would be greater than a 50% increase in world GDP. Even if these estimates were extremely optimistic, the economic gains from substantially increased immigration would be measured in trillions of dollars per year. (I discuss some objections to increased levels of immigration in the endnotes.)
What’s the problem? Fifty billion animals are raised and slaughtered in factory farms every year. Relatively small changes to farming practices could substantially improve these animals’ welfare. Raising animals for consumption also produces substantial greenhouse gas emissions.
The Humane Society of the United States Farm Animal Protection Campaign is rated as a ‘standout’ organisation.
Cool Earth (accepts donations) helps indigenous peoples in Peru and DR Congo protect the rainforest in which they live from illegal logging.
What’s the problem? Given current climate models, we are unable to rule out the possibility that greenhouse gas emissions will lead to what I call catastrophic climate change, with temperature rises of 10°C or more. Though the chance of this occurring is very small, the outcome would be very grave, which means the expected value of preventing this possibility may be very high.
The Future of Humanity Institute and The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (both accept donations) are interdisciplinary research institutes at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, respectively, that assess the magnitudes of global catastrophic risks and try to develop risk-mitigation strategies.
We’ve seen that, by employing effective altruism’s way of thinking, we each have the power to do a tremendous amount of good. A donation of $3,400 (£2,200) can provide bed nets that will save someone’s life, deworm seven thousand children, or double the income of fifteen people for a year.
1: Establish a habit of regular giving
Some of the top charities I’ve mentioned in this book are Against Malaria Foundation, Cool Earth, Development Media International, Deworm the World Initiative, GiveDirectly and the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative. Pick whichever you believe to be best and begin a habit of effective donations. Even a modest monthly donation to any of these charities will have a big impact.
2: Write down how you’re going to incorporate effective altruism into your life
3: Join the Effective Altruism community
4: Tell others about effective altruism
Whatever you choose to do, think of today as a pivotal step on your journey to making the world a better place. Each of us has the potential to have an enormous positive impact. I hope this book has both inspired you to do so and given you the tools you need to get there.
