Best campaigns

A question we field a lot over here are about how to use web sites to promote ideas, especially ideas that are not about say public markets, but are about using art and culture centers to make a positive impact on community. Hm...

Anyway, much of my work lately involves helping state agencies change the way their people think about their work, so I scan web sites a lot. My latest favorites are:

Its your space
Set up by CABE Space, one of those rare local government agencies concerned about design and the built environment. This campaign is about getting communities to take back underused land in urban areas. Lots of nice case studies and guiding principles outlining what it means to be good to public space.

Break the Chain
The National Resources Defense Council is all about campaigns - they're the ones to really populate the understanding of global climate change into mass culture - so it's no surprise that they have this savvy campaign about breaking foreign oil dependence. This is a complex story, but they take one angle and stick to it. If you dig deeper, you can learn more about other ways of looking at the issue.

It all adds up to cleaner air
The Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Transportation partnered to come up with this site about cleaning air pollution through smarter choices about auto travel. It is pretty widely accepted that the one single thing a person can do to make the most impact on a cleaner, healthier environment is not to drive. So again, this site tackles a really complicated issue by honing in on one idea, which helps people learn more about the complexities on their own terms.