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The Guardian makes the vital connection between Web 2.0 and the environment
These are the types of articles that make our job easy. With a little help from 13-year-old school children, The Guardian realizes the powerful nexus of social media and green living.
The second generation internet has fast become the most powerful tool the environment movement has. Social networking sites, viral emails and user-generated materials offer a new range of weaponry for campaigning groups.
Around 96% of Americans between 11 and 18 are members of an online social network. So when you consider that protecting the environment is a passion of many young people, the potential power of influence of Web 2.0 for the green movement is phenomenal.
The pupils I met knew that, of all the issues of the 21st century, reducing our environmental footprint is the greatest challenge we face. Forum for the Future found that 78% of university applicants in 2007 believed that “lifestyles need to change across the board, or in many areas, for human civilisation to survive the next 100 years”.
It is, therefore, imperative that our young citizens are given a fair hearing on the decisions that current leaders are making - and online social networking can help achieve this. The opportunities it offers play to the skills of young people. Web 2.0 emphasises online collaboration and sharing among users. By sharing knowledge and ideas, and by communicating them broadly, young people can enhance their own capacity to find solutions and make changes.
The article cites Footprintfriends.com as a purpose-driven social network for green tweens and teens.
From the founder:
The idea behind Footprint Friends was evolved after watching An Inconvenient Truth; a shocking movie that got me thinking and wanting to understand more. The concept of Footprint Friends was triggered after attending an exhibition called Think 07 and the development was supported by Charlotte Jewell who at 15 came to us at Windy Tree on work experience with the objective of learning about marketing.
In undertaking some research into the ideas behind Footprint Friends, Charlottes feedback, enthusiasm and commitment was such that we all went the extra mile to launch this website on her return to school after the half term.
Footprint Friends is a Windy Tree initiative launched to raise awareness about environmental issues amongst 11-18 year olds. Through the site we hope members will ask questions, change attitudes, and have a voice about the future facing them as adults.
1 response so far ↓
1 richard // May 29, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Thanks for your interest in our site. If you want to read more please visit the site and join the global debate.
There is also a supporter forum for over 18’s.
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