Clicktivism for Change

An article came out in the Ecologist the other day titled “The Ecologist guide to turning 'clicktivists' into activists” by Christine Ottery. This article discusses the debate on whether people who agree to ideas online are really interested in seeing these goals attained, or if they are just looking for tweets to follow. Initially I got to thinking that I personally commend many causes online and am often invited to facebook groups with the goal of starting some revolution or another. Would I sign up for something online that I wouldn’t support offline? Of course not, and it seems that there are at least a few people who think the same way.

            The difference between me and them is that they will actually sign up for these things online and see them through. The internet has become a great tool for bringing people together who would normally not have enough in common or be able to reach one another. Now these online groups have become a starting point for networking to cause change.

                The group from the article banded together to stop the sale of forest land, but it could be used to show support for many other causes (including political action to reduce climate change). Not only that, this article even goes on to suggest how to get people out of their seats and into the streets. Empowering members to take action, getting input from members, sharing peer-to-peer, keeping the message positive, meeting in person or demonstrating together, focusing on local and attainable goals, raising awareness, and visualizing the problems and solutions are the eight easy steps to making change.

                Climate change is a real issue, very few scientists disagree with that. The problem has become how to fix it and how to change the minds of the politicians with the power. The truth is, the solution is to change the minds of the people who elect the politicians. Online activism can become a launch pad to let our leaders know that this is what we want, offline. Will this new media band us together and make us strong enough to be the change we wish to see in the world?