Using Facebook to save the Gorillas and connect with conservation efforts continents away.
There have always been games where the player can save the world. But a new wave of games allows people to actually make a difference – and the game’s creators hope the games will bestow some earth-friendly values. Some of those – like ‘My Conservation Park” on Facebook actually raises money for environmental groups.
It’s just one example of how social networking is changing how people learn about and follow environmental issues.
Caroline Fraser, a freelance writer who has written about the relationship between social media and environmental stewardship, says widespread impact from social media is still a ways off.
“I suspect that people who have been exposed, either through travel or through their own volunteer efforts that they’re probably, right now, the ones who are the most keyed into this movement,” according to Fraser. “I think we have a long, long way to go in reaching out to the segments of the public who are not aware.”
There is also an increase in social networking being used to enforce environmental laws. Governments in Africa are urging citizens to report poaching through text messaging. And law enforcement agents in Florida are constantly skimming Facebook for people who post pictures or comments about an illegal wildlife kill.
Finally, there are a growing number of apps being used to look up, share, and identify species being created. This type of crowd-sourcing is helping scientists collect and share information much quicker.
All signs point to an increase in environmental advocates using social media along side of the growing trend of digital communication. Fraser says use of Facebook and other tools will need to hit a much higher pitch to start having a big impact.
Web Extra
More from writer Caroline Fraser on how enough people mobilizing through social media can have an impact:
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Social_Fraser-webclip.mp3|titles=Social_Fraser-webclip]Links
http://www.myconservationpark.com/