How to save the world online: Hippyshoppers top 10 sites to make the world a better place
Wouldn't it be great if all the world's problems could be solved by blogging? If all we had to do was type our grievences about the state of the planet into a little box in one big rant, hit 'post' and wait for some wise anonymous commenter to give us all the answers?
Maybe it's not going to work like that, but we can dream, and I was inspired by this list compiled by Valleywag, with suggestions for '10 online ways to save the world' - so I've come up with a similar list for Hippyshopper: Hippyshopper's top 10 sites to make the world a better place
1. Click4thecause: Until the end of this month, every time you use this search engine instead of your usual one, you'll be donating to ninemillion, a UN campaig set up to help the 9 million children worldwide who are living as refugees. There's some more info on this wonderful idea here.
2. We are what we do. Very slick-looking site crammed full of tips both big and small on making the world a happier place. Helps kick-start your good intentions, and lets you track your good deeds.
3. The Hunger Site. The original free 'click to donate' site that's still going strong. And don't forget, you can also donate to breast cancer research, underpriviledged kids, animal shelters and rainforest conservations projects while you there.
4. ChanceXchange: chanceXchange is a free service where you can trade unwanted films, cds and books for those things that you really want. Earn double brownie points for the fact that you're not only reusing and reducing waste, but you're also making someone's day by offering that unwanted Backstreet Boys album they've been coveting for years.
5. E-Cards. Sending an e-card for a friend's birthday is a good way to avoid the wastage of sending paper cards through the post. And they're not all as naff as you might have feared. Have a browse though this site for some really imaginative designs, including stunning wildlife photography.
6. Friends of the Earth's The Big Ask climate change project has a great online presence that makes it much easier for the likes of you and I to take action from our desks. Regular petitions and letterwriting projects start here, with the ultimate aim of getting the government to take a tougher stance on global warming.
7. Defra's shoppers' guide to green labels. Take a moment to bone up on what the labels mean and ensure you'll never accidentally buy an ethically unsound product again.
8. Recycle Now: Not sure where your local recycling facility is? Confused about what can be disposed of where? This site should give you all the information you need to recycle everything in your home within reason. It has a very handy postcode search facility to pinpoint the location of your nearerst facilities, too.
9. Karmabanque. A slightly barmy but brilliant idea. This website is devoted to 'boycotting bad companies' in a complex way involving stocks and shares, but it also keeps and up-to-date database on which companies are considered 'bad', and lists the top 'most boycotted' companies. so it's up to you if you want to avoid doing business with them, whether it's investing in their shares or buying their burgers.
10. Go Petition. If we haven't covered the issue you feel most strongly about here, why not start your own online campaign? Go petition gives you all the tools to do so, and also allows you to add your support to existing campaigns.
