New Ways to Save the World

Next Sunday is 10/10/10, the global work party to stop climate change, organized by the fantastic 350.org. Check 'em out, and sign up for a work party in your area, or let them help you start one if there isn't anything up your alley. Everyone all over the world putting up solar panels, setting up gardens, calling politicians and telling them to support environmentally friendly legislation--what an awesome idea! Are we entering a new era of activism, one where citizens can organize en masse thanks to technology?

Let's hope so. Sometimes it can seem like social media and the internet and all our other technological advances are just another way to keep people entertained and distracted, missing the things that deserve our attention. But maybe the tide is turning and we can create communities online that translate to real life connection, action, and change.

350.org is a mix of both because it began as a real life project by writer Bill McKibben (author of "The End of Nature," along with other fabulous books) and several students and activists walking across the Northeast to draw attention to climate change. The online, global aspect is deeply connected to the in-person relationships and events. But it wouldn't be pulling together more than 5000 events in all but 9 countries in a single day without modern communications.

A purely online activist activity is the "It Gets Better" Project, a youtube video series started by Dan Savage and his husband. In response to the disturbing high suicide rate among LGBT/queer teens, in particular a teen who recently committed suicide after being cyberbullied for being gay (and didn't even identify as gay), Dan Savage said, "We don't have to wait to reach these kids. We can all show them that queer adults have happy, healthy lives, and that they can too. Let's use the internet." I wish it had been around when I was a teenager, and I encourage you to share it in hopes that it will reach people who need it: kids who are depressed, kids who are bullying, and especially parents who will raise their kids not to bully and who will be okay with people who are queer.

Could technology be a vehicle for community and world saving? Let's give it a try. How are you making things better this week? How are you making your online life an activist one?