This week I decided to search for more of a news type site rather than just tools us journalists can use. I stumbled across WorldChanging. Its a magazine site with stories about changing the world into a greener place. I like the site because it is set up as a news site, but definitely has an editorial voice on what stories will be published here.
I really like the set up and aesthetics of this site. It is really easy to navigate and you are able to read about some interesting stuff.
WorldChanging was started as a nonprofit media organization in Seatle, WA as a way to get a lot of minds together thinking about solutions to some of our world’s problems. There are only 7 people on staff, but they have writers from all over the world that submit stories on a regular basis. According to their about us: We have brought awareness to issues like refugee aid, renewable energy and innovative solutions for improving building, transportation, communication and quality of life.
I really like that the site has tabs that lets you travel to specific areas of interest in sustainability. The tabs are stuff (what we use and buy), shelter (how to make greener places to live), cities (read a great story about car-free cities!), community (arts and interest pieces from around the world) , business, politics, and finally planet.
Although this is definitely not an objective website, the ability to publish what you want on the internet is a great way to get your ideas out. The trend towards a more sustainable lifestyle will only get more popular and it’s important for people to be able to get quality information about it.
This site is set up so the ads are present, but not overwhelming or distracting. I think it’s interesting that this is a magazine for a non-profit and is using the internet to promote their message but is set up like a news driven site. It is not flashy and I didn’t find any video, but this site truly uses its content to drive its success. Throughout each story, there are hyperlinks to previous related stories from other WorldChanging’s writers.
“Worldchanging’s solutions-based journalism has played an important role in revealing formerly obscure innovations and groundbreaking ideas, thereby pushing forward the sustainability movement and changing the way we think about the planet’s most pressing problems. “
I think we could all get a lot more done if we continuously thought in a solutions mindset, rather than a problems mindset. The progress of sustaining journalism could learn a lot from WorldChanging’s attitude.
Interesting site. I just had a call from a former grad looking for journalism work – I mentioned that more and more journalists are starting their own publications online, but another option is to pursue work at a site like this — funded by nonprofits, foundations, donations, government or charitable orgs. The downside is that you have to drop objectivity at the door. But I wonder if this is nearly dead anyway…it does not look like you have to drop thoroughness at the door. Anyway, these highly targeted informational/PR sites offer possible opportunities. We just have to hang on to our journalistic professionalism!