This ancient proverb describes altruism. The practice of caring for others without benefit to yourself.

Giving money, time or care makes you an altruist.

But, imagine if your time, money and caregiving could plant not just a tree, but a whole forest.

By combining analysis with compassion, you could help a far greater number of people.

This is Effective Altruism

Effective Altruists carefully evaluate causes and compare the size of their contribution to the impact it will have.

Thinking about donations in terms of 'return on investment' increases the amount of good they can do.

This philosophy is not about which cause is more worthy, but about which cause is most effective.

For example, say there was a disease affecting millions of people worldwide. With two solutions - Cause 'X' and Cause 'Y'

Cause X reduces the mortality rate, but Cause Y prevents spread of the disease.

Analysis shows Cause X will reduce suffering more in the long-run and is therefore what an Effective Altruist would choose.

One of the most successful examples of using targeted spending to reduce suffering is the fight against malaria, a disease spread by mosquitos

In 2015 malaria caused around 214 million infections and an est. 438,000 deaths worldwide. ^[1]

However, sleeping under a net treated with insecticide is highly effective at preventing infection.

It is estimated that 451 million cases of malaria ^[2] have been averted since 2001 thanks to mosquito nets, saving around 6 million children. ^[1]

An insecticide treated mosquito net costs just £3 and last for up to three years. ^[3]

There are also ways to make mosquito nets even more efficient…

Increasing the lifespan of the nets from three to five years, could save £2.6 billion over a decade ^[4], meaning more money to buy nets…

… and spending just £20 can train a Community Health Agent to teach families how to use nets ^[3], making them more effective.

Because without proper education on how to use the nets…

…families would see little to no benefit.

Investing in something as simple as a mosquito net may not have seemed like it could save millions of lives.

But, looking at the bigger picture is what Effective Altruism is all about.

It could be what charity you give to, how much you choose to give or where you volunteer.

The more effectively the money is spent, the more good it will do.

Thank you for reading.