Green communities, online and in your 'hood

Feel like the only environmentalist on your block? A whole bunch of enviro-networking websites want you as a green friend -- and each has a unique twist. A few to check out:

For the most involved community: Care2. The premise for this very active site is that "One person can make a difference." Here, do-gooders can use all sorts of e-activist tools to create petitions, send e-cards, submit news, or get health advice. More so than any of the other networking sites, Care2 has some serious diehard fans -- as evidenced by the number of emails I get from Care2 members -- from their Care2 email accounts -- asking me to join.

For your own unique eco-content page: Gaia Community. Formerly Zaadz, Gaia currently boasts on its homepage that it's attracted 162,665 "conscious individuals." The site offers the usual for the eco-minded would-be community member -- profiles, blogs, news feeds, and the like -- but does have a new unique feature called myGaia that works much like iGoogle.

For those crunched for time: Do The Green Thing. If Care2 and Gaia seem way too involved, this simpler community might be for you. Join, and you'll get just two emails a month, each taking you to a short video on an eco theme -- which the members then chat about and commit to acting on. The DTGT people made the cute Valentine's Day video about sharing body heat.

For the green competitor: Greenopolis. Got a competitive streak? Then Greenopolis is for you -- because this site'll survey you and test you on your greenness -- then put a color-coded badge on your profile so all can see how green you are. Go greener, and you earn points to improve your badge color. The site's still in beta though, so the community isn't very big yet. (via got2begreen)

For the eco-shopper: WorldofGood.com. If ethical consumerism's your mantra, join WorldofGood.com to "create positive change through commerce, as part of a global community." This new site helps you make socially-conscious buying choices, supporting fair trade, sweatshop-free, and other ethical sourcing models.

For local networking: GenGreen. Here's a network that aims to turn virtual connections into local activism. GenGreen's uniquely geared toward local networking, helping you meet up with real-life neighbors you may never have run into otherwise. Members can see other local members, find out about local green events, and get listings of local green businesses. Unfortunately, GenGreen's newer in the green scene, and doesn't yet boast as many members as Care2 and Gaia.

For really local networking: Sustainable Santa Monica. Live in Santa Monica? Then get to know your neighbors via the web. Created to "encourage community members to connect with others working toward a sustainable Santa Monica," Sustainable Santa Monica lets you take part in a Santa Monica virtual community that shares local green ideas.

Lastly -- Nothing beats a community based on face to face interaction. Get out to the green social events in the L.A. area, and make some new eco-minded friends.