So you’re on Facebook or MySpace (or whatever your social network site of choice may be), and you’re feeling like people don’t care as much about the environment as you do. All they want to do is take quizzes, post pictures from that crazy party they went to last night or update their status every 15 minutes. I mean, sure, it’s all in good fun, but how eco-friendly is it, really?
Worry not, my fellow Earth lover. It’s Greenwala to the rescue. Founded in early 2008, the for-profit philanthropic company is focused on “harnessing the power of a community to create opportunity for people to ‘Go Green’ and improve their lives.” It’s built on pillars that include climate change, a healthier lifestyle, less dependency on foreign oil and focusing on social responsibility. The site combines community participation (groups to join, event postings, classified ads) with green products for sale, channels featuring related videos and articles, and a selection of contests and causes.
And who doesn’t love a good contest, right? Currently, there are four different ones running, including Cutest Eco Pet (deadline Friday, October 30), Green Your Halloween (deadline Monday, November 16) and What’s Your Story? (deadline Monday, November 30). Each contest features a supported cause (PETA for Cutest Eco Pet, for example) and a prize, including chocolates and an exercise machine.
Even if you don’t compete in any of the contests, just joining makes you a winner. That’s because (like friending Tonic on Facebook or following us on Twitter), whenever a new member joins Greenwalla, they plant a tree. You can even log in using your Facebook account, because eco-friendly or not, you can have never have too many social networks.
Photo courtesy of luc legay, via flickr