About Everyday Activist
Everyday Activist was created in July 2005 by sisters Shanen Aranmór and Alison Gianotto. After reading countless "X Things You Can do to Save the Planet" books, it occurred to them that a comprehensive online resource listing all of the little things people can do to improve the environment would be a wonderful idea (and eco-friendly, since no trees were used in the creation of this website!)
One barrier that they felt may be preventing many people from being more involved with conservation and environmental protection is the label "activist". When people think of the words "environmental activist", their minds are often filled with images of protests, demonstrations, and people living in trees for months at a time.
While all non-violent demonstrations are good, the sisters felt that this image may alienate the "average person" from being more involved, so they created a site for everyday people that wanted to make a difference. (It should be noted, however, that they fully support your non-violent choice to protest, demonstrate and/or live in a tree if that's the sort of thing you're apt to do!)
So they put their heads together and came up with 150 things that the everyday person can do to help the environment and transition into a more sustainable lifestyle.
What's in a Name?
The name Everyday Acvtivist holds two meanings, the first being that these are things that everyday people can do, and the second being that these are things that people can do every day. By showing people that they don't always have to make huge sacrifices to become more eco-friendly, they hope to encourage more individuals to take some of the small steps mentioned in this website.
The Dynamic Duo
Aranmór is founder of Weld like a Girl and was a speaker at the 2005 National Wellness Conference. She teaches and speaks on the six component model of wellness: physical, psychological, spiritual, intellectual, social and environmental well-being.
Gianotto, featured in the October 2004 issue of People Magazine, is an international technology speaker, founder of Grokability, Inc and creator of Snipe-IT, a Free Open SourceIT Asset Management System..
Special thanks to design diva and environmental activist Rigel Stuhmiller for her fantastic graphic design work!