Greening The Net: Summary

Production team

The use of websites and e-mail are crucial to the dissemination of information for Friends of the Earth. Their extensive use of online resources helps members from across the UK, and indeed the world, organize their protests and campaigns. They even have a specialised group of online campaigners, 'Campaign Express' who co-ordinate and take action online. Their use of the Internet is so extensive that they feel that without it, their communication would be less effective.

They see the Internet as a democratising force, which puts them on an equal footing with Governments and multinational organisations. However, Ian makes the valid point that not everything seen on a webpage is necessarily true. Because anyone can create a website, the editorial control traditionally placed over the media is absent.

As Ian says, the Internet creates virtual communites, those with a common interest who can share ideas and information without the tyranny of distance. If you're interested in environmental issues, the Open University has a number of environment courses that may be suitable.