New Media

As noted before in this online publication, the news of Chinese troops crushing the resurgent independence movement in Tibet was predictable, to say the least. The consequences for those involved in the protest against Chinese cultural genocide in Tibet will likely live on long after most of the soldiers have gone back to their barracks. Even on Canada’s west coast, far from this crisis, grassroots groups like the Canada Tibet Committee and individuals in Vancouver are taking action.

Fifteen monks are detained and at risk of torture and ill treatment. Write to the Chinese Ambassador to Canada to urge him to do everything he can to convince the Chinese authorities to respect human rights in Tibet. Consider donating to Amnesty International to help them bring attention to the prisoners and hopefully get them away from harm’s way.

What is it about Vancouver that attracts so many new media organizations that want to change the world? The latest I’ve discovered is SAWA Global, which aims to profile short videos of local heroes from the world’s poorest countries that provide solutions on poverty eradication, disease control and environmental sustainability.

SAWA’s objectives are two-fold: the first is to provide a free website portal for the world’s poorest people to promote their projects “stories of hope” and leverage global support. They also want to present a website interface to educate and connect citizens of all nations to actionable ideas for global change.

They’ve got a wide range of projects on the go for those who want to take concrete actions now. Help eradicate poverty in Kenya. Protect and empower children in Columbia. Help Rwandan children recover from years of war and suffering.

Inspire others.

24 global cities including Vancouver will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis.

Given that BC imports 15 per cent of its electricity (mostly from dirty coal-fired plants, since new hydro dams are hard to get built these days) we really ought to be making energy-saving a permanent habit.

The latest buzz about our alleged home-grown Canadian terror cell’s plot to destroy democracy in Canada is even scarier than what we all knew before (Missauga: The News). Remember, these are the same guys who reportedly wanted to behead Stephen Harper — for real, not just metaphorically. Actually saw off the man’s head. Really, really, bad stuff.

Odd that a local Vancouver “peace” group still has an article on their website celebrating the suspects as innocents presumably caught up in a wave of fascist state terror. The only proof of MAWO’s allegations seems to be that “the “allegations” that the Toronto 17 were involved in a “terrorist plot” have not been elaborated beyond allegation”… and therefore, must be false, of course. Since Canadian criminal courts haven’t managed to hustle the suspects through an expedited trial to determine the truth (a la the justice system in Iran? Syria? North Korea?), the suspects must be innocent.

So… since MAWO still seems to endorse this convoluted theory, even though the Crown’s evidence is only now being released in drips and drabs, the question is: what does MAWO know that the rest of us don’t?

We’re waiting, peaceniks.

Vancouver’s social media mavens will be getting a little “green” with their Net Tuesday menu of Web 2.0 goodness this week at WorkSpace.

I’ve researched just about every aspect of sustainability and eco-friendly trends in Vancouver over the past year as a columnist and feature writer for the green-friendly Granville Magazine. Our city has emerged as a leader when it comes to sustainable design and its high numbers of environmentally-conscious citizenry. I’m curious about what the people on the cutting edge of social marketing will have to say.

Just as a heads-up, Capulet.com Head Geek Darren Barefoot will be talking about DeSmogBlog.com’s remarkable achievements. Thegreenpages.ca founder Rex Turgano will be giving an overview on the little green blog that could. Later, Happyfrog.ca founder Ron Williams will be describing the political and environmental context of their innovative user-generated eco-community.

Lots to check out. By the way, don’t forget to vote in the NetSquared Mashup Challenge (voting was extended until this Monday)! Support your favorite project that helps social benefit organizations adopt social web tools. I like the KnowMore.org Firefox Extension idea. Check out the wide range of projects looking for your vote before it’s too late!