"We are the New Endangered Species. The Most Crucial Time, The Most Important Generation in History." - Ian Somerhalder, Origin Magazine, 2013.
What is it that makes our generation the most important generation in history? Let us find out what Mr. Somerhalder has to say.
In his most recent interview with Origin Magazine, on stands today, he discusses our generational significance in history, how society is continuously changing and the aspect of social media is not a technological means but, an entity on its own, full of waves and waves of energy. In the past, starting campaigns and movements for or against a specific cause was extremely difficult to create and maintain. Nowadays we have the power and means to make a difference through various sorts of social platforms that are literally shaping our everyday lives. Once you hit send, within seconds that single piece of information has now made its way to the smallest part of the world, suddenly you have an entire country at your attention. Ian believes that an idea, a feeling, a movement can't just be squashed. It's impossible now. He is right. There is no going back.
Ian Somerhalder, star of the hit CW show The Vampire Diaries and a revolutionary change maker with his impressive list of involvements with local charities and causes, and his extraordinary foundation, The Ian Somerhalder Foundation, has brought awareness and action to many issues that threaten our very existence. He uses the power of social media and collaborates with our young innovative generation of leaders to protect and save the planet and its creatures from extinction. Well, how does a foundation contribute to the making of the most important generation in history? Simple. The answer lies within the mission of the IS Foundation to empower, educate, and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. The IS Foundation views the environment as an interconnected organism of which we are not separate but a part of. There is no differentiation between all living things, trees, rivers, animals, and humans. We are all ONE interdependent organism. In other words, we depend on nature, our oceans, biodiversity, and wildlife to name a few for our existence. If we threaten those precious elements that make up the environment in which we live in, we are threatening humanity as a whole.
Nearly two years ago, the BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, left millions of gallons of oil spewing into the homes of tens of thousands of life, both above and below the surface of the ocean. The effects of this and oil spills in the past, have threatened our oceans marine life and eco-systems for years and years to come. During the spill, Somerhalder felt helpless and vulnerable, the effects were far more devastating to the surrounding crops and wildlife. The coastline, the place where Somerhalder grew up is now threatened by this man made disaster. This particular moment sparked the creation of a movement, a foundation that will forever empower global youth leaders to come up with creative solutions to many issues that our generation is facing today as well as the future generations to come. Among the many issues we are facing today, one that needs to be focused on and stopped is this serious widespread problem of bullying. That is just what Ian Somerhalder's foundation is focusing on through its very own animal sanctuary, which will launch a unique Youth Development Program in an effort to inspire compassion, leadership abilities for bullied and abandoned creatures to come together with our bullying youth. Somerhalder feels that bullies have leadership abilities that are misdirected, and through the art of personal development, the ISF Animal Sanctuary, will provide a opportunity for these abandoned and bullied animals to inspire compassion and a deep personal growth in our bullied youth. Truly amazing what compassion can really do for humanity, as well as help us to define our purpose in life.
I'm very excited for the direction of Ian Somerhalder and his remarkable foundation. I feel empowered to make a difference everyday through my efforts as an activist. Whether you are saving elephants by banning the ivory trade in Thailand with WWF or speaking up for a cause you are passionate about. all our collaborative efforts have true meaning and power, so use them wisely.
Interested to learn more about the Ian Somerhalder Foundation and its mission, become a part of the solution by sharing your thinking, creativity, and efforts with the ISF movement? Visit isfoundation.org and get involved today.