There are social sites for just about every kind of interest and lifestyle choice, including dating sites, business networking, and travel planning. But for those who have a greater calling and want to make a difference in the world, these 50 sites have responded by setting up social platforms designed to connect volunteers, students, charities, entrepreneurs, and individuals, as well as make it fun and easy to learn about the causes and campaigns that are impacting our world.

Environmental Issues

Learn how to help the environment by joining these networks for change.

1. Care2: Care2 is a huge site devoted to all things green and making a difference. Learn about causes, start petitions, network and more.
2. TreeHugger: Laern about, comment on and share your own perspective of green shopping, design, travel, science and living.
3. WorldChanging: This site features a blog, community, and channels for learning how politics, business and design impact the future of the environment.
4. OneWorldTV: If you’re looking for videos about climate change, desertification in Mongolia, or the oil wars in Nigeria, head to this social site.
5. WiserEarth: WiserEarth connects advocates and activists who are interested in promoting sustainable living practices.
6. emPivot: emPivot is another video sharing site for green enthusiasts. Categories include energy and climate, politics and advocacy, and green building.
7. ecovian: Find real-life networking in your city through this site, which also has information and groups for green clothing, transportation, beauty, energy and more.
8. Greenvoice: Greenvoice gets the word out about green issues and campaigns in the UK and around the world.
9. Greenopolis: Greenopolis is an all-in-one green site that educates users about green practices, lets them react to issues and network, take polls, watch videos, keep a profile, and more.
10. Holistic Local: Here you can learn about green, holistic living while looking up green businesses, meeting others who share your interests and find exchange listings to trade courses, massage services, art, and more.
11. Zoobird: Those who lead an organic lifestyle can turn to this social site for groups, notes, photos, event notices, videos and good discussion.
12. GreenlTers: This network is comprised of "clean tech global thinkers." Find videos, a forum, photos, groups, profile support and more.
13. Do the Green Thing: Add your stories to share what you’re doing to support the environment in your daily life.
14. Reyooz: Reyooz is an online trading platform for items you no longer need but don’t want to throw away. All trades are free.
15. Green Ideas: Pledge to live your life in a more eco-friendly way by searching through the lists of "simple ideas" that make big differences.
16. Easy Green Living: On Easy Green Living, you’ll learn how to be healthy and green in the kitchen, at work, with friends, and everywhere else. The site’s social network, Green Walls features photo sharing, videos, blogs, groups and a message board.
17. Earth Tweet: Keep up with environment-related tweets here.
18. Playgreen: This "wiki on green living" has articles, a community wish list for fun green activities, and more.
19. Greener One: This green shopping site has contributors who rank and review products.

Volunteering and Social Responsibility

Get connected to volunteer and social organizations that let you make a difference in your

20. Idealist: Idealist is a popular job and volunteer site for those who want to make a difference, but it’s also great for networking online and in the real world.
21. Justmeans: This social network supports businesses who promote responsible, ethical practices, sustainability, and good deeds.
22. Change.org: Find nonprofits to support, campaigns to support education and women’s rights, jobs, and more.
23. betterplace.org: This site truly belives that "everybody can help" and "everybody can get help." Meet others who want to support the causes you’re interested in so that you can start making a difference.
24. pachube: Pachube relies on the idea that social relationships can help change the world and reduce climate change.
25. Kiva: Kiva connects people who can provide loans to poverty-stricken communities and their entrepreneurs. Join to start your own lending team.
26. Causecast: Watch videos to learn about issues and social projects to support.
27. Bloggers Unite: Through this network, you can browse through 63 events around the world (or add one of your own), add its badge to your blog, and write a post about it on the day of the event.
28. FirstGiving: Join this network to help nonprofits and others raise money.
29. Social Actions: Find volunteer projects through this site, and join the community to network with others who want to change the world.
30. Make the Difference Network: Browse wish lists and charities to support through this social network.
31. Do Good Channel: Log on to this site to find campaigns and volunteer partners.

Health and Patient Advocacy

Patients and medical professionals can now find support, information and respect on these sites that are revolutionizing the way our society treats the sick.

32. Livestrong: This health network features healthy living tips, groups, and a mission to change the way Americans take care of themselves.
33. Daily Strength: Visit the Daily Strength to get support from other patients, look up treatment options and medical information, and join groups.
34. iMedix: Here you can find answers to health questions, join support groups, and share your own story.
35. Patients Like Me: Patients Like Me connects patients suffering from chronic and life-changing conditions to facilitate the spread of information and support.
36. Planet Cancer: Young adults who have cancer in their 20s and 30s network on this site to talk about their disease, blow off steam, gossip about pop culture, share photos and more.
37. Starbright World: Teens who are terminally ill have a chance to be kids on this networking site that lets them create profiles, meet other patients like them, blog, and chat.
38. MyCancerPlace: Cancer patients can join groups, chat on the forum, set up a personal web page, learn about cancer, find out about special events, and share photos on this network.

Global

These networks make it possible to make a difference in a country or town across the globe.

39. The World Cafe: Log on to this site to join the conversation about global issues that matter.
40. Better the World: Here you can learn about different global causes like disease, human rights, climate change and housing, discover your impact, and raise money.
41. Protect the Human: On Protect the Human, you can network for the sake of human rights.
42. SAWA Global: SAWA Global lets members brag about local heroes and share stories about how they are changing the world.
43. Aidpeople.org: Aidpeople.org connects those interested in joining humanitarian aid projects.
44. Take Part: This user-driven site educates members on global conflicts and issues and lets them add their own content, too.
45. Changing the Present: Browse charity wish lists and registries and set up a community to give gifts and make a difference.

Miscellaneous

Here you’ll find more social sites for kids and teens, social workers, and more.

46. Good2Gether: This social site connects volunteers with nonprofits.
47. PETA: PETA’s website features an action center, forums, and plenty more opportunities for networking and education.
48. YouthNoise: YouthNoise lets kids join causes, set up a profile and learn about the issues that affect youth in places like Iraq.
49. JustCauseIt: Learn how others are making a positive difference in areas like health care, the environment or the arts, and share your own causes and stories.
50. Social Work 2.0: Social workers connect on this site to learn about events, discuss issues and more.