Social networking is just one of the latest facets of society to “go green.” A simple Google search returns pages upon pages of online communities established for people to share ideas. These social networking sites provide a forum for individuals to encourage each other in their efforts, spread the word about local projects and keep track of companies who do green well. The benefit of green social networking is that people have the ability to exchange ideas with others across the world, which increases the movement’s global impact. The fact that going green has permeated social media is encouraging because this positive form of peer pressure will have lasting effects.

Here’s a closer look at some sites that encourage online collaboration and social consciousness.

Just Means – www.justmeans.com– This site incorporates many of the features that users already accustomed to in social networking. In a Twitter-like fashion, JustMeans starts by asking people, “What good work are you doing right now?” As on Facebook, users have the ability to comment on responses. And similar to Facebook’s “Like” feature, participants can rate/recommend the act as good work. The site also features a job board and information on news, contests and events.

Make Me Sustainable – www.makemesustainable.com – This platform offers ways to track your carbon footprint, avenues for saving money (and the environment!) and an option invite friends and family to do the same. The MMS mission explains the importance of a sustainable lifestyle: “We live in a period of profound environmental crisis, but it is not too late to change the course. The future of our planet hinges on the choices we make everyday…Together, we can change the course.”

Care2 – www.care2.com – This site not only provides information on healthy and green living, but it also incorporates other aspects of being socially responsible, such as animal rights and climate change. From women’s rights to animal welfare, the site alerts users to recent news pertaining to the various causes and provides ways to take action. Got a cause that needs support? Start a petition on the Care2 site for free!

CarbonRally – www.carbonrally.com – Going green is a competitive sport! Well, on this site at least. Users who sign up can take individual challenges (like giving up paper towels for a month) or join a team for a taste of some real competition. Recognition is given to groups or individuals who reduce the most CO2. Integrating CarbonRally into your existing Facebook and Twitter accounts is yet another way to spread the word. Who knew reducing waste could be so much fun?

Have you found a social networking site dedicated to “going green”? Share it with us!

Tags: eco-friendly, going green, online communities, reduce waste, social networking

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 2:06 pm and is filed under About "Going Green". You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.