[updated 7/24/06 with reader comments]
Almost every day, I get a beseeching email from someone who doesn’t live in LA. I’m enviro-conscious, they’ll say, but can’t find anyone around me who’s concerned about these issues. Can you help me?
Sadly, not directly, unless you live in LA. I’m trying to help work out this conundrum for my neighbors, but — due to my regional focus — I really can’t help you if you live in, say, Iowa.
But! There’s hope! Consider e-social networks that let you hook up with people who live close to you concerned about the same issues.
The ones I know of:
Zaadz, an online community with a goal to change the world. “Connect. Grow. Inspire. Empower.” sez its slogan. Its goal: to “build THE most inspired community of people in the world… Imagine social networking with a purpose, a community of seekers and conscious entrepreneurs circulating wisdom and inspiration and wealth and all that good stuff.”
Care2, an online community that sez it’s “the global network for organizations and people who care2 make a difference.” This org, based in the hear of Silicon Valley, has a “Green Thumbs Up” toolbar you can download to figure out how eco friendly the company you’re buying from is. Lookin’ for green luv? Care2 has a singles area.
Also — Get off yr ass and look into yr local Sierra Club chapter. And if yr real young (under 26) try SustainUS :)
For those outside the US: For those in the UK, try ecolocal. Those in Ireland, consider Tidy Towns groups.
Honestly, I’m overwhelmed just trying to keep up with Friendster for my east coast friends and Myspace for my west coast ones — so I’m not a member of neither Care2 nor Zaadz.
Still, I’d love to hear from those of you who are. Is it worth the time and effort? And are there other green networks I’m missing?
Update, 3/2/08: Eco web communities have proliferated! Here’s a new post showcasing them.
July 19th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
You can also look for your local chapter of the Sierra Club…they’re almost everywhere. And if you don’t have one…think about asking if you can start one.
July 19th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Thanks for this great post! I know I was one of the ones complaining. Thank You so much!
Joshua
Tucson, Az
(Its lonely being green in Tucson lol.)
July 19th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Definitely worth the time and effort!! Care2 has given me hope that we can make a difference and turn things around for the better. I’ve met some great people and come across so many suggestions for living a greener lifestyle.
Some groups to check out:
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/EcoGreenNetwork
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/nature
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/yoga_journeys
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/ACH
And so many more! The news network is pretty cool too: http://www.care2.com/news/
I’ve also been to Zaadz and it’s got a really cool theme and vibe to it. I haven’t spent enough time there to say much more but would recommend checking them both out.
July 19th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
not sure if there is anything in Ireland. People could always join the green party. Possibly in government next year. Or join a tidy towns group. http://www.tidytowns.ie/
July 19th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Hey Siel…
Good blog…good plug for Care2. I think Care2 is one of the best for peace, eco/green living/sustainability, social justice issues. There are Care2 groups for everything important and also for unimportant things too. Besides being totally free, there are great services…like being able to start your own group on any subject (Siel could start a greenLAgirl? group, Joshua could start a Going Green in Tucson?, etc….but Joshua, how about the Gentle Strength Food Co-op, for starters?), a News Network for progressive news, etc. www.care2.com
MySpace seems to have a majority of “me”-oriented people (and some good music), and Care2 seems to have a good number of people who care more about the planet, etc. than their own lives, many people really taking action on issues.
Anyway, just my hit on it…
July 19th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for the link here to my Care2 Ecopalooza Green Living Network group. You’re one of the nice people I’ve met at Care2. Someday I’d like to take one of your Yoga Hikes in the Bay Area, and maybe you can do some up here in Mendoland someday.
~Peace, Larry
July 20th, 2006 at 6:42 am
If you’re in the UK, then I’d strongly recommend ecolocal, not least because I’m part of the team that built it ;)
http://www.ecolocal.co.uk
And Zaadz is good too, I setup a Dads on Zaadz group a couple of days ago:
http://pods.zaadz.com/fatherhood
July 20th, 2006 at 7:33 am
SustainUS, the US youth network for sustainable development, is a GREAT way to meet other young people (mostly 18-26, some older) interested in similar issues. There are “geoclusters” that meet in Maine, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, DC, and Minnesota. We do service projects, hold happy hours, organize meetings and events, and support one another in job searching and green living!
Anyone can start a local geocluster, and there are ways to connect virtually over the national listservs as well.
Go to www.sustainus.org and click on the tabs to the left, or register as a user to be plugged in to the network!