Armchair Activism

The Internet is emerging as a powerful tool for communication, education and activism. It is also an effective tool for IHM Sisters and Associates who cannot be as active as they used to be but still have the desire to work for justice, peace and sustainability. Just in its infancy, it is hard to predict or estimate the long-term effects of Internet activism. However there are signs of the potential effectiveness of this emerging medium for social change:

• Citing "ongoing regional opposition," BP America Chairman and President Bob Malone announced that the company will avoid any increased pollution into Lake Michigan from its oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana. BP heard the voices of millions  of Great Lakes region residents who sent messages opposing the plan.
  
• Thanks to e-mails and phone calls from activists, a year-long campaign to block plans to develop new nuclear weapons had its first success. A key subcommittee of the House Armed Service Committee zeroed out funding for the new nuclear bomb plant intended as a first step toward a $150 billion project to rebuild the nations' nuclear arsenal.
  
• Thanks to online activists across the country, the United States House of Representatives passed an energy bill that sets efficiency standards for lighting, provides tax incentives for wind electricity production, and helps prevent runaway energy development on public lands. The bill also requires utilities to produce 15% of our nation's electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2020, and will potentially allow select states to account for up to 4% of this target through energy efficiency.
  
• After receiving thousands of phone calls and emails, Pepsi agreed to print "Public Water Source" on its Aquafina brand water labels.

A recent study by the Congressional Management Foundation found that e-mails are an effective way to communicate with members of Congress. Congressional staff believe e-mail has increased public understanding of what happens in washington, made members of Congress more responsive to their constituents, and influences their decisions.

IHMs in Action

IHM and Holy Cross Sisters Test Activism Potential

Resources

We compiled a list (PDF 60 KB) of the best armchair activism sites. This document requires Adobe Reader. You can download latest version here.

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