(This post has been cross-posted from the NetSquared blog – here)
Happy Blog Action Day everyone! In case you haven’t heard, Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. This year’s topic is water. I’ve seen loads of really great #BAD2010 posts today, so for my contribution to this effort, I’ve decided to share a round-up of web and mobile technology related Blog Action Day posts.
Web and mobile technology related #BAD2010 posts
Below are several Blog Action Day posts that relate to using web and mobile technology to benefit water conservation. I hope that you’ll take a look at a few of them and maybe even think about changing your behavior or contributing to one of the many water-related causes that could really use your help.
- Blog Action Day: Water App Roundup from Mark Hammonds
This post reviews a number of different iOS applications available that aim to raise awareness and promote education about water. I particularly like the How Blue are You and My Water Diary applications. These apps provide a great way to track how much water you’re using every day – so you can identify ways to conserve.
- Blog Action Day 2010: Our Technology Footprint from Paul Simbeck-Hampson
In his post, Paul explains how much water is used to charge an iPhone (hint: a LOT) and links to a great explanation of how energy and water are connected. It’s a great reminder that saving electricity has the added bonus of also saving water. Confused? Read the post.. then turn off the lights!
- The preciousness of water from Bonnie Koenig
In her post, Bonnie shares a map of water insecurity, a water use calculator, and an app for measuring how much water it takes to prepare your favorite foods. Her post reminds me that awareness of need and personal consumption is an excellent first step towards global change.
- Blog Action Day 2010 : send water via mobile from Insiden
This post outlines how people in developing countries can use mobile technology to pay for water access or water bills, or to moderate water consumption by identifying leaks or controlling flow.
- HOW TO: Help Solve the Global Water Crisis with Social Media from Mashable
This most excellent post from Mashable has a huge list of apps and tools, issue trackers, and organizations to follow to get involved with the water crisis online.
- Blog Action Day Case Study – charity: water from Geoff Livingston
Geoff shares a lot of great information about how the cause charity:water has used social media to create a name for itself. By participating in online campaigns such as Twestival and the bespoke event Mycharity:water, as well as using online tools like Vimeo, Twitter, and Facebook, the charity is now a major player in the water scene.
- Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Amy Sample Ward
In this post, Amy reminds us to learn, think, and act for water conservation – and shares a few ways we can all start making a difference today.
How to solve the water crisis?
There are three main things that you can do to make an impact on the water crisis today:
- Make changes in your water consumption habits, and insist that your workplace and favorite hang-outs take action too.
>> Here’s a list of small actions you can take to conserve water - Donate to a charity that is helping solve the world’s water problems.
>> Here are the two that Change.org, the organization running Blog Action Day, is supporting - Support the UN’s efforts to bring clean, safe water to millions.
>> Sign the petition to show your support
I also want to take a moment to mention that today is the last day for voting in our FACT Social Justice Challenge. Several of the Projects do address water issues, so if you want to vote for those or any of the other fabulous Projects in the gallery, please do so by 5pm PST today!