Friend, it’s almost World Orca Day, and I had to reach out to you in advance with a crucial update on our work to protect this majestic species, our fragile oceans and our only Earth. 

Right now, there are only 75 Southern Resident orcas left alive, and greedy corporations are pushing them to the very brink of extinction. Cruise ship pollution is wreaking havoc in the waters these orcas call home. And just one cruise ship can dump millions of gallons of toxic wastewater directly into the ocean. 

At the same time, cruise companies power their massive fleets with the dirtiest heavy fuel, belching emissions and generating ACIDIC wastewater. But thanks to massive investments in greenwashing, most vacationers don’t know the devastating impact of taking a cruise – and this destructive industry is booming like never before.

Friends of the Earth is fighting back to protect our orcas and our planet from corporate greed and the catastrophic pollution problem it creates. But we’ve already lost too many beloved orcas like young Ripple, playful Cappuccino and gentle Marina – and we must act before the last surviving members of their pods waste away too. That’s why a generous group of donors agreed to MATCH every gift, dollar for dollar, up to our $90,000 World Orca Day goal so we can keep up the fight to protect our oceans from Big Polluters – but this opportunity expires at midnight tomorrow.

Because you’ve been such a committed supporter, we’re counting on your help to give us the best chance of meeting our goal. We even created a custom link so we can see your impact right away. Please, will you hurry now and make your gift to protect our orcas, our oceans and our only Earth? Every dollar will be DOUBLED with our limited-time match up to our $90,000 World Orca Day goal! 

Orcas are suffering, starving and being invaded by relentless industry expansion. The cruise industry is growing and bringing more mega-polluting ships into orcas’ feeding grounds and migration routes. Meanwhile, Big Oil and the shipping industry keep expanding their projects in an endless pursuit of more profit. From driving away their food supply to the deadly threat of oil spills, the consequences for our last surviving Southern Resident orcas could be dire. But we don’t have to stand aside and let these greedy industries get away with it. 

That's why hitting our World Orca Day goal is so crucial to struggling orcas, our organization and the sustainable future we’re fighting for. We’re reaching out to you specifically to be one of our early-bird donors because we know you recognize how high the stakes are. When you donate now, you'll be ensuring we can mobilize on the ground, keep pressure on key decision-makers and rein in greedy corporations before it’s too late. 

But time is rapidly running out, and we have to make this World Orca Day really count. So please, make your membership gift now – and have it DOUBLED – to be part of the urgent solutions we need to break the grip of corporate greed and protect our oceans and our planet while we still can. Your personalized World Orca Day link is right here, so make your early-bird gift to fight back for the sake of precious ocean life now.

Standing with you, 

Marcie Keever 
Oceans and Vessels Program Director
Friends of the Earth