Add your virtual signature to causes you care about. (Zhukov Oleg / Shutterstock.com)
Petitions have long been a way to make the peoples’ voice heard. Before the advent of the Internet, folks would go door-to-door, collecting handwritten signatures to present to government officials or bodies as proof of public consensus. Today, it is much easier to spread news about important causes, and petitions can gain steam via social networks and go viral in a matter of hours.
These five platforms afford individuals the power to stand up for causes closest to their hearts, uniting with others to spread awareness and make an impact.
1. CAMPAIGNING FOR CHANGE
WHO: CAUSES
Causes allows users to create communities that take action or support specific nonprofits - by signing petitions, pledging to take action and facilitating donations.
2. POLITICAL ACTION FOR CHANGE
WHO: AVAAZ
Avaaz (meaning"voice" in several European, Middle Eastern and Asian languages), is a global movement of changemakers that brings millions of people together by creating petitions, media campaigns, lobbying politicians and organizing protests.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR CHANGE
WHO: GREENPEACE
One of the world’s premier environmental groups, Greenpeace advocates for the planet, sometimes taking drastic measures to make its voice heard. The organization has a vast selection of petitions such as: saving bees, building a green internet and supporting ocean sanctuaries.
4. LARGEST PETITION PLATFORM FOR CHANGE
WHO: CHANGE.ORG
With more than 70 million users in 196 countries, Change.org allows people to create petitions and sign them, using the power and accessibility of the web to make a real difference.
5. TWEETING FOR CHANGE
WHO: ACT.LY
With the click of a button, anyone in the Twitterverse can create a petition by simply filling in the target’s Twitter handle and typing a call to action.
