While social media may have started as a tool for communication and socializing, it has long since become so much more than that. Today, billions of people use social media across the globe for a range of reasons.
One of the most significant benefits that have come out of social media is that it enables people to empower others and share knowledge on such a massive scale. And this has turned social media into a platform for change.
Instead of watching the news, people now through scrolling social media to learn about what is happening worldwide and how they can help. Political and cultural awareness is so much vaster now, thanks to social media.
And with climate change and sustainability being such significant problems, social media is the perfect place to spread more knowledge about these issues.
Why is Sharing Sustainable Content So Important?
Sustainability is long past being just a trendy buzzword. It is a critical movement that is necessary if we want to protect the planet and future generations from the devastating effects of climate change. And as social media is one of the easiest ways to reach billions of people and influence behaviors, it’s the perfect place to share eco-friendly knowledge and bring about more change.
For example, if there is anything that TikTok has taught us recently, it’s that an entire generation can be influenced overnight by a single video. Because of TikTok, information about products, food, people, politics, music, art, and more can blow up and reach millions of people in a way that it never has before.
Other apps like Instagram and Twitter also still have large audiences and the power to influence ideas, actions, and behaviors. The majority of people today live their lives through their phones and computer screens using these apps, so why not take advantage of that and share knowledge that matters?
Younger generations are especially vulnerable to the influence of social media. While many see this as bad, it can also be ideal if you influence them to appreciate the right things. By sharing information about sustainability and eco-friendly practices, you can help youth develop more of an appreciation for nature, which is vital if we want to protect the planet.
When people come together as a community, this also has the power to effect change on a larger scale. So posting community-focused content is also essential when it comes to addressing issues of sustainability. By tailoring the type of posts you make to your specific audience, you can build personable and lasting relationships.
For example, you can use your social platforms to bring people in your neighborhood together to combat environmental issues, like planting a community garden or hosting community trash cleanups. And when you post content like this, it will inspire others to do the same in their own communities.
Tips for Sharing Your Eco-Friendly Knowledge on Social Media
The ways in which you can connect with and reach people on social media are endless. You can share static posts and photos, create Instagram stories, go live, record TikTok videos, and post threads on Twitter. The more variety and varying kinds of posts you create, the better, as social media users today have short attention spans and like different types of media to keep them engaged.
Below are a few ideas to get you started as you seek to share your knowledge and boost awareness of the importance of sustainability.
If there is one thing people love using social media for, it’s learning about new products and brands. Unfortunately, consumerism is a major issue contributing to waste and dwindling resources.
However, there are ways to combat these problems, such as by shopping with brands that are more sustainable. So one way you can help influence others is by talking about some of the best eco-friendly brands out there and which ones you love to support.
Document Your Time in Nature
For many, nature or learning to appreciate nature inspires them to lead more sustainable lives. So another great way to share your knowledge and inspire younger generations is to document your time outdoors and in nature.
For example, you can create TikTok videos documenting the hikes you like going on, and incorporate hashtags so that your content is more visible. In these videos, you can also talk about the nature and wildlife in the area and why it’s so important to appreciate and protect it. You can also share content that teaches people how to learn about the local nature in their area and how they can use that information to live more sustainably.
Offer Tips on Sustainable Traveling
Travel content is popular on social media, especially on Instagram and TikTok. Users love to see the places people are visiting as well as valuable travel tips. You can take advantage of this by specifically posting about sustainable travel.
You can even use this as a way to monetize your TikTok channel. For example, you can partner with sustainable hotels and use affiliate links on your account that direct your viewers to other eco-friendly travel businesses.
The travel industry is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, so if you can help people find ways to travel more sustainably while also making money off of it, it kills two birds with one stone.
Post Educational Videos to Raise Awareness
If there is a cause you hold near and dear to your heart, share this with people. Social media users love to see what others are passionate about, and this allows you to help educate them and raise awareness.
For example, you may be passionate about saving the bees, helping combat deforestation, or cleaning up the ocean. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to geek out and share this passion and knowledge with others on your social accounts. If you love it, thousands, if not millions, of others, will likely love it too.
If you really want to influence others with your social channels, lead by example. Social media influencers are so influential because they are “real” with their followers. In other words, they get personal and document their day-to-day lives.
People love connecting with others on a more personal level, so use this and document your daily life. Show them how you personally live sustainably and what lifestyle changes you have made to be more eco-friendly.
For example, you can show them what things you have in your home that you use daily to live more sustainably, like composting, rainwater collection, or zero-waste products like paperless paper towels. You can also show them how you reduce your carbon footprint by using eco-friendly transportation, such as riding a bike instead of a car.
You can even document going grocery shopping and the products and food you buy to eat more sustainably. Whatever you do, show it to your followers, and the more authentic and personal you can be, the better.
Become an Advocate in Your Local Community and Document Your Efforts
Again, communities have the power to affect greater change because it’s more people coming together to help out on a larger scale. So it’s important to include community-focused content when you can.
You can be an advocate for sustainability practices in your own community and then document these efforts on social media. You can host events, for example, or help start a community garden. You can also organize volunteer opportunities like community cleanups, donation events, or recycling drives.
This will help get others in your own community involved, but if you post about these things on social media, it will also inspire others to do the same in their own communities.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few examples of the many ways you can share your passion for sustainability on social media. There is no one right way to do this. In other words, there are no rules. Do what you love and post about it and you will likely inspire others and help spread awareness until more and more people are doing the same.
