Environmental net-activism on the online petition platforms Avaaz.org and Change.org

some observations

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-58442023105pt

Keywords:

Net activism, Social and environmental activism, Online petitions, Change.org, Avaaz.org

Abstract

The intensive use of the Internet platforms establishes new perspectives on the social and political function of the media. This article focuses on the possibilities of alternative mobilizing actions, involving the participation of citizens around issues related to the conflicts of society and nature. We use the concept of net-activism (DI FELICE, 2012), with its features online network action. The objective is to highlight the role of the online platforms for forwarding public petitions of Avaaz.org and Change.org, the two most accessed platforms in Brazil, around social and environmental claims. After submitting the theoretical frameworks, we described the platforms, and selected 22 campaigns to perform an interpretative analysis, based on the arguments they use for demands and struggles, followed by a typology proposed by Castells (2018). In the end, it is possible to understand, even partially, the role of this social-environmental activism around online petitions.

Author Biographies

  • Myrian Regina Del Vecchio Lima, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brazil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil

    Journalist. Professor of the Post-Graduation Program in Communication of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). PhD in Environment and Development (UFPR), post-doctor studies in Digital Journalism (Université Lyon 2, France). Master in Communication by the Universidade Metodista de São Paulo. Leader of the Research Group Communication and Cyber Culture of PPGCom/UFPR.

  • Vanessa Witski Colatusso, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brazil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil

    PhD in Environment and Development (UFPR). Master in Communication and Languages (Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná). Bachelor in Social Communication – Publicity and Advertising. Professor of Business Management – marketing planning, digital media, and publicity planning.

  • Débora Anzolin Valginhak, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brazil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil

    Master in Environment and Development (UFPR).

  • Nataly Bruna Fernandes Aires, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brazil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba – PR, Brasil

    Master in Environment and Development (UFPR). Specialist in Environmental Management (UFPR). Bachelor in Administration by the Faculdade da Indústria (2016). Specialization at the Flacso- Argentina in the area of Spanish teaching. Experienced in the area of Solid Waste and Environmental Education the in the Latin American context.

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Published

2023-10-09

Issue

Vol. 46 (2023)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Intercom: Revista Brasileira de Ciências da Comunicação

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How to Cite

Environmental net-activism on the online petition platforms Avaaz.org and Change.org: some observations. Intercom - Brazilian Journal of Communication Sciences, São Paulo, v. 46, p. e2023105, 2023. DOI: 10.1590/1809-58442023105pt. Disponível em: https://revistas.intercom.org.br/index.php/revistaintercom/article/view/3571. Acesso em: 21 jul. 2026.