Today is Blog Action Day. This annual event that unites bloggers across the globe in the shared act of posting about the same issue on the same day. The goal is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion. Last year’s  issue was poverty (my post from BAD 2008). This year the focus is on climate change.

I’ve always been passionate about efforts to reduce or repair the damage we’re doing to the planet. Since having children, this issue has gotten personal. I want to do all I can to make their future better. Aside from supporting groups and candidates  working to make a difference, I’ve struggled with how to make more of an impact. That’s when I started thinking about the unique role design could play this battle.

Thoughtful design can convey complex ideas and act as a powerful agent for change. While hardly a new concept, we are entering a time when grassroots design activism could produce some very interesting results. Coupled with the immediacy of social media, it seems that the potential to create change is within everyone’s reach.

Here are some folks leading the charge:

Living Climate Change was launched last month by IDEO, the design and innovation firm. The goal is “to expand the dialogue about our environment beyond policy positions and national sacrifice, and instead explore new possibilities” utilizing what they call “Design Thinking.”

The TckTckTck campaign has created a great tool for learning the stories behind the human face of climate change. It’s called the Climate Orb and it is an animated interactive tool housing first-hand stories searchable by country, keyword and timeframe.

The Environmental Defense Fund designed this infographic detailing how carbon caps can actually create jobs. Then they made it available online for reporters, editors, and bloggers around the country to use.

Of course, this is just a sampling. There are more great examples popping up everyday. Please share some of your favorites in the comments.

Flickr photo by me.

Tags: activism, blog action day, climate change