There have been a plethora of arguments on the assumed benefits of social media usage. Typically in every argument, there are folks that will insist on the merits of the subject, those that will quickly call attention to the demerits and most certainly those that would not care about the subject, its merits nor its demerits.
Social media usage has been met by mixed feelings, especially in the Nigerian society. There have been calls to establish a working framework where its usage can be regulated. There are schools of thought who believe that it is an extension of the freedom of speech of every individual. At the centre of these two opposing ideas, are folks who neither have access nor the capacity to fully appreciate the essence of Social media tools.
Recently, there was a global debate on Twitter, on the connection between social media and environment. The event, organised by a group of young environmental advocates led by Esther Agbarakwe, had the topic “Can Social Media save the planet?” as the focus of the debate. The debate took place at the end of the hugely successful ‘Social Media Week’ held in Lagos, and had the goal to inspire, connect and empower young people to take positive action on environment and begin to engage in environmental governance dialogue using new technology and social media.
In calling attention to the vast merits that social media brings to the issues of environmental protection, Agbarakwe was quoted as saying that “Protecting the environment has never been more important than it is right now, with Nigeria facing the impending floods, Nigerians needs to know what to do when the flooding begins.”
The debaters, who were drawn from the World Bank, Social Good Summit and the New Media, all agreed that Social media has the potential to educate and empower the general public about their personal responsibility to protecting the environment and responding to environmental disasters like floods.
In modern societies, many environmentalists have made concerted efforts to reach the public with their message through various social media platforms in an attempt to raise awareness. The case is not different in Nigeria where millions of people regularly connect with one another by means of mobile phones, e-notebooks, computers and laptops.
There is a fundamental need to communicate and the bulk of this communication takes place through various social media platforms. It is apparent that this is the most effective method for getting the word out, and stimulating interest about this important topic.
The social media space is premised by its social component. This is made up of human beings. The individuals that make up the social component of Social Media can act and also influence others to act. The tool is the technology platform called social media.
The drivers are the individuals that have the capacity to utilise the tools for social good. In exploring how social media and technology can play a pivotal role in creating sustainable solutions for the future of the planet, a certain salient thought must be considered.
•To what degree can social media ultimately influence public opinion and motivate more people to get involved in responding to climate change?
An attempt to respond to the above thought can be summed up in the ICE slogan of Inspire| Connect| Empower.
•Inspire folks to take responsibility about the state of our planet.
•Connect folks to possible activities they can do to save our planet.
•Empower folks to act and move beyond the social media space.
In closing, a powerful question one should seek to answer is this: if everyone is using various Social Media platforms to deepen the conversation on environmental sustainability, who will be on ground to roll up their sleeves and do the field work?
Social media is playing a vital part in spreading the word about environmental issues, but we won’t save the planet without actually going out there. Personal experience and exposure is where the change will happen, but the Social Media is a powerful tool to get the audience you need for environmental issues.
It is pertinent to note that social media itself is not necessarily a tool for change. Individuals will still have to take offline actions, vote, donate and recycle. We as collective individuals will still have to go to the streets and raise our voice but social media can be a tool to keep one informed and help inform others.
The greatest resource we have as a nation is our bulging human capital. Let us all embrace the ICE slogan and contribute to our tomorrow what we wish that yesterday had contributed to our today.
Ensure to share and join the dialogue via your comments.