E-Environmentalism:
Connecting with Global Issues via the Internet
By Elizabeth Blood, Department
of Foreign Languages, Salem State College
This springs’s expanded “Earth
Days” events at Salem State, organized by the Peace Institute under the
direction of Dr. Echevarria-Morales of the Department of Foreign Languages,
raised important global environmental issues. The films, speakers and student
presentations sparked a desire in many of us to learn more about these
issues. What is really happening with the global environment? Is there really
global warming? Are our energy resources being depleted as rapidly as they
say? Do our individual recyling or energy conservation efforts really make a
difference on a global scale? For answers to these questions, and many
others, you can turn to the Internet, a paperless and
environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional sources. Information
about global environmental issues, eco-tourism, or the politics of the
environment can be found on numerous websites. It is important, however, to
seperate the reputable sites from those that sensationalize the issues. Here
are a few starting points for budding e-environmentalists!
The Environmental News
Network (http://enn.com/index.asp)
is an extensive site with information on dozens of environmental issues, a
marketplace of earth-friendly products, an interactive on-line quiz, and
multi-media feeds featuring the latest environmental news from around the
world.
United Nations Environment Programme/Programme de
Nations Unies pour l’environnement (http://www.unep.org/
) is a U.N. site featuring a search engine arranged by both topic and
country. All meeting reports and documents of the U.N. are available in
French as well as English.
IISD, the International
Institute for Sustainable Development (http://iisd.ca/),
has a site that features outlines of governmental policies in various
countries, and extensive information on various topics such as climate
change, environmentally sound business practices, and trade and investment.
There are also links to other sites and specific articles discussing
environmental issues throughout the world.
PAN, the Pesticide Action
Network (http://www.pan-international.org/
), offers a network of over 600 participating nongovernmental organizations,
institutions and individuals in over 60 countries working to replace the use
of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound alternatives.
“Terminal Planet” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3072049/)
is a fascinating special news report by MSNBC focusing on man, nature and the
21st century. Specific articles focus on environmental problems
facing Brazil, green politics in Germany, overpopulation in China, drought conditions in Turkey, and the battle against disease in Africa.
Spanish-speakers may want to
check out the “Planeta” site (http://www.planeta.com).
This site focuses on eco-tourism in Latin America, including both current
news and travel guides for all Latin American countries. The site is
available in English or Spanish.
Ciudades Verdes (http://www.usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0300/ijgs/ijgs0300.htm)
is another Spanish-language site which offers solutions for urban
environmental problems throughout the world.
Each of these sites will lead to links with other sites,
giving you a better understanding of what the current global issues are and
how closely connected we, here in Salem, are to these “distant” places.
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