Powering Environmental Activism Through Social Media

If you are reading this, chances are you have easy access to platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms allow you to broadcast your message to the entire world.

So why not use this space for good, to bring awareness to a cause that you are passionate about?

As a global society, we are faced with the fact that our plastic pollution problem is only getting worse. There are currently eight million tonnes of plastic polluting the oceans and seas, negatively impacting marine life. Because plastic takes years and years to decompose, the effects of this problem are only going to get exponentially worse, as more and more plastic gets dumped. In the UAE, we discard almost three billion plastic bottles per year.

This is where social media plays such a critical role. Never before has the freedom of speech been so democratised. You can say whatever you want, and broadcast it to the rest of the world. Whether you have one follower or one million, your voice matters. And it matters, even more, when you use it together with other people to amplify a cause such as environmental awareness.

Does it Even Help?

Social media has already helped connect a global community to push for more significant change. We have seen proof in its success with viral movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and the Arab Spring, which were mainly coordinated over platforms like Twitter and Instagram. We have also seen the power that it can bring to broader environmental issues such as climate change, spearheaded by Greta Thunberg. These social campaigns are proof that a grassroots movement, often started by a single person, can grow to create international awareness and change. 

Not Just Hashtag Activism

It seems almost counter-intuitive to try and save the natural world from plastic pollution by logging on to the internet. In fact, one of the biggest arguments against using social media for change is that many people believe it replaces actual action – retweeting a hashtag is not equivalent to actually picking up litter, recycling, or making a conscious choice to avoid single-use plastics.

But any kind of social change needs to have a multifaceted approach. Hashtags or any kind of online movement should not replace physical actions but instead these actions should be taken together, to create the maximum possible impact. Helping to spread the word about plastic pollution can encourage more and more people to become more aware of their waste and to become more educated on the effects of their choices, as well as giving them great ways to help fix the problem. You can (and should) utilise social media to highlight what is happening offline, and how others can help too.

So what can YOU do?

Trying to reduce the amount of plastic we use and discard can seem like a monumental task, but change starts with a single action. Educate yourself about social movements that already exist and are dedicated to helping minimise plastic waste. Use social media to help educate your friends and family, by sharing reliable links about the effect of plastic on the environment, and alternatives that they can use that are less harmful to the natural world.

A few years ago, we set up the Plastic Free UAE Facebook Group which has become an educational movement with nearly 5,000 active members. Here, members share their journey towards an eco-friendly lifestyle, tips on going plastic-free, and raise awareness about the growing issue.

Joining similar groups and communities can be your stepping stone. These actions may seem small and inconsequential, but they can have a far-reaching impact that might just be the push we need to really make a national and global change. 

So, go ahead – write blogs, post about issues you are passionate about, discuss them with your family and friends – start your own eco-movement. Social media is more than just trolling, controversies, and arguments. It is an outlet that connects supporters and magnifies issues that need to be addressed.