Today is the web's Earth Day!

One Web Day, created by Susan Crawford, builds on the idea that, like Earth Day in celebration of our environment, a holiday was needed to bring people together in celebration, sharing, learning, and activism focused on the Internet. Today, people are gathering around the world for online sharing and learning, as well as in-person activities and events.

According to Crawford, “peoples’ lives now are as dependent on the Internet as they are on the basics like roads, energy supplies and running water. We can no longer take that for granted and we must advocate for the Internet politically, and support its vitality personally.”

The Internet has also become the means by which citizens around the world build movements to hold their elected leaders accountable and support those who represent their interests; it is also increasingly the medium through which citizens interact with their governments. The theme of this year’s OneWebDay is online participation in democracy, coinciding with the U.S. elections.

What you can do to celebrate the web!

• Get Together! One Web Day has a wiki set up to coordinate all of the events taking place around the world today. Find out if something is taking place in your area and take part!
• Talk back in 2.0 style! This year, OWD is challenging people around the world to create a short video: how did the web change your life? how would you want it to change the future? favorite online event? Post your video to YouTube or Blip.tv and tag it with "onewebday2008" to participate!
• Share your story! Write a blog post about how the web has changed your life or the life of someone around you. Read the stories of 100 other web-users here!
• Show your pride! One Web Day has some badges you can post on your website, on your card, and more. Post your OWD pride!
• Help out! Find out what you can do to help or how to get involved!

Happy One Web Day!

What are you doing to celebrate the web today? How has your organization been effected by the web? What do you think the future holds?!