Do you use Twitter or Facebook? Have you heard of the WWF? Do you have opinions on what world leaders should be addressing at Copenhagen? I’m elated to announce I'm doing social media outreach for Inside Cop15; a WWF project dedicating an entire, live and on-demand online media channel (highlighting the work of four film crews on the ground) at the UNFCCC Copenhagen Summit this 7-18 December. With a subjectively environmentally-centric viewpoint, I’ll be attending with boundless hope. You’ll hear more about this amazing project via the Twitter account and Facebook page!
While some are protesting outside Copenhagen, I’m attending and ask you to support world leaders creating international climate legislation. There are two reasons: outreach and political legitimacy. This is what I'm most interested in covering at Copenhagen, but again I'd like to represent YOUR interests so please connect on Twitter, Facebook or via comments on what you'd like to hear from Inside Cop15!
Firstly, communication and outreach campaigns themselves use energy extensively, as does ICT--around 2 percent of global carbon emissions. De facto, social media has areas where wastage could improve as any other industry. Nevertheless, communications are pivotal to encourage investments for the low carbon economy. For example, the efforts of the Carbon Trust raise awareness for and enable companies to reduce their carbon emissions. Social media for environmental projects should ensure communication captivates audiences; consumers will consider how climate change is a serious issue if left unaddressed. On the other hand, clean and low carbon investments--by both consumers and politicians--can save all our livelihoods.
Secondly, political legitimacy will help further the climate change cause. With less than one month before Copenhagen, groups around the world are connecting in different ways, including through grassroots communication approaches like those Obama used. With the prospect that world leaders (like Obama) will ignore calls of civil society and business on creating climate legislation, many are rightly worried. With an already established political and environmental constituency, many organizations, including Friends of the Earth agree, is a great channel to push leaders to agree to climate legislation and increase awareness of the importance of funding in the low carbon economy.
Further, history has shown difficult topics like suffrage or civil rights must be addressed through legislation. Without political contexts, regional climate legislation could be drowned by mistakes of others. Co-operation is not impossible; rather, through the support of thousands of dedicated individuals anything is possible. The issue of climate legislation is neither conservative nor liberal; rather, it’s international and cross-platform. Politicans may support climate legislation for their constituents, business or the political consequences. Regardless, maybe you'd like to see other issues being addressed at Copenhagen? I'd like to represent you!
We need help spreading the word! Blog about Inside Cop15, repost this blog, retweet and share among your contacts to make this Copenhagen Summit the most successful and urgent for international leaders! Follow InCop15 on Twitter and Facebook! Join the conversation! Let your voice be heard!
