Make Social Change A Reality

All too often when approaching environmental issues we expect the solution to revolve around preservation of national parks and cutting back carbon emissions. However, there is another equally pressing environmental matter to attend to: Environmental Justice . This term is a blanket term that covers all kinds of equal treatment for people and the environment. The EPA defines [Environmental Justice] as: “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies”. This means that all people are able to enjoy the same level of safe access to clean air, water, soil and to be subject to the sight of parks, preserves and eco-friendly buildings. This also means that all people are equally protected against the dumping of hazardous wastes, excess pollution and toxic chemicals in their communities. Environmental Justice is e...

In a recent article Washington Post’s DeNeen L. Brown examines the cost of being poor . Brown states in the first few lines: “ The poorer you are, the more things cost ”. The cost, of course, comes in the form of money, time, convenience, and energy level. Brown points out that many of America’s poor are stuck with an unfair bill when it comes to the essentials like food, transportation, and housing. Photo courtesy of This Fffire The cost differences paid by the poor at their local corner store compared to a grocery store are likely to be huge. However, for many people without the time and transportation to get to big box stores, the $2.00 savings on a loaf of bread is hardly worth the hassle. The prices in these corner markets are, according to the article, almost always higher because their cost of doing business has a high overhead cost. Tasks like grocery shopping, laundry, and getting to work become a juggle of both time and money and often leave the poor with a higher bill than m...

Social change is a must Not just for humankind But it can stem from just one human mind. With one thought we will find we can do right But imagine if we all join thoughts and unite . There's no limit to the change we can bring Enough to make the whole world sing in such harmony That we don't have to worry bout the next man harming me What a sight we can see But how can this be? My thought would be through philanthropy So our children could inherit a world of humanity That thought moves me fondly Let's follow in the words of Mahatma Gandhi And BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE in the world. Those words he lived and imparted before he died To show that change must come from inside . Don't hide behind the blinds in your mind Reach down in your heart and you'll find that Social change is a beautiful thing Imagine the change it will bring. From a world of poverty and stress To one of literacy wealth and success. Just taking the time to show I care As a people...we have to s...

This post is a collaboration between Mashable's Summer of Social Good charitable fundraiser and Max Gladwell 's "10 Ways" series . The post is being simultaneously published across more than 100 blogs. Social media is about connecting people and providing the tools necessary to have a conversation. That global conversation is an extremely powerful platform for spreading information and awareness about social causes and issues. That's one of the reasons charities can benefit so greatly from being active on social media channels. But you can also do a lot to help your favorite charity or causes you are passionate about through social media. Below is a list of 10 ways you can use social media to show your support for issues that are important to you. If you can think of any other ways to help charities via social web tools, please add them in the comments. If you'd like to retweet this post or take the conversation to Twitter or FriendFeed, please use the has...