People power

Local radio stations used to be the only way of spreading messages in areas that were difficult to reach. Today, technology like text messaging does more than vote someone out of the 'Big Brother house'. 'Cyber-activism' by text, email or website is bringing people together more easily and cheaply, giving them new powers to bring about change.

© Greenpeace/ J.Sutton-Hibbert

Members of Greenpeace have become experts in cyber-activism, building a global community of people to co-ordinate action against environmental destruction. One of their cyber-activist campaigns was a 'virtual march' in Ulsan, South Korea in protest at an International Whaling Commission meeting. They projected images sent by anti-whaling supporters from 122 countries in a call to end whaling.

Visit Greenpeace's cyber centre - to become a member of the Greenpeace cyber-activist community along with people from 200 countries. You can take part in online discussions, receive email updates, help with a variety of campaigns and get your own personal homepage!

Use the map to find out about other 'cyber-activist' campaigns around the world:

Make Poverty History used a cyber-campaign as part of Live 8, encouraging you to sign up to the Live 8 list. In a group, ask yourselves:

• Were you one of the 30 million people that signed the Live 8 list?
• How much did you learn about the issues behind the 'Make Poverty History' campaign from Live 8 and the other 'Make Poverty History' events?
• How did you learn about these issues - from TV news, during the Live 8 concert itself, from Internet reports, from newspapers and magazines, from friends?
• Do you think the Live 8 list will make a difference? Why?

Why not launch your own cyber-campaign for something you believe needs change or action? Visit Just do something for top tips on creating your own campaign website.