In trying to explain the value (and addictive properties) of Twitter to the unconverted my strongest argument is the network’s superiority as a information-gathering tool. Better even than Google News because you pick your own sources, Twitter has quickly become the best place to turn for breaking news and aggregated links to resources and activism.
An issue like climate change especially lends itself to effective Twitter aggregation as The Guardian recently pointed out in a very good post detailing the top fifty Twitter feeds to follow if you’re interested in the science behind and movement against climate change.
From the tweets of officials inside climate negotiations and cameraphone photos of climate activism, to tips on how to live a greener life, links to the latest in relevant scientific reports and global warming news updates, Twitter offers a continuous stream of information linking those fully engaged with the issue to millions of concerned global citizens seeking out the best information.
Take this guide below to climate change resources, drawn partly from the Guardian’s post, as just one example of a Twitter-based information grid that can be assembled for any issue. To read these feeds, click the links and check them out. To follow the feeds, just sign up for a Twitter account if you’re not already a member. It’s easy and there are no demands or requirements whatsoever.
Advocacy Organizations:
Greenpeace has an active Twitter feed which seeks to highlight creative actions around the world.
Greenforall is a US group focused on converting a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on green jobs.
350.org was founded by Bill McKibben’s to raise awareness of the urgent need to get CO2 down to 350 parts per million in the atmosphere.
TckTckTck campaigns for a legally binding global climate deal; the Twitter account is a good source of links on climate negotiations.
The Energy Action coalition offers tweets from a coalition of youth groups campaigning for clean energy.
News Organizations:
Grist is one of the most informative and amusing environmental publications publishing in the US.
Climate Progress offers thoughts and re-tweets on climate science and politics.
The Ecologist, the long-running British magazine, provides news, aggregation and more.
People:
Ed Miliband, the climate and energy secretary of the former Labour government used Twitter to broadcast from inside Copenhagen climate talks. (Most importantly, Miliband is an ex-Nation intern.)
Al Gore, the former vice-president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, is the most-followed climate activist on Twitter.
Andy Rekvin, the New York Times environmental environmental reporter and blogger uses Twitter to break news.
Kate Sheppard, an environmental blogger at Mother Jones has a focus on energy.
Bill McKibben, the seminal global warming author is the founder of 350.org climate campaign.
Dave Roberts, Grist‘s chief writer, offers acerbic posts on energy and related issues with an obsession with coal.
Mindy Pennybacker, author and activist, offers daily tips for living a greener life.
May Boeve, a longtime grassroots activist, offers snapshots of the global movement against global warming.
Sarah Emily Labance, an engineer and science writer, is a great source of information for online ecological action.
Scientific Groups:
The Earth Institute is a great source for new scientific reports and news from Columbia University’s climate science department.
The Tyndall Centre for Climate Research is one of the world’s leading climate research centers based in Norwich, England.
Please use the comments field to let me know what I missed.
