Postcrossing Blog

On April 22nd it will be Earth Day 2010 and, in a time when climate change is becoming more serious than ever, it’s important to not let this day go by unnoticed.

Postcrossing is collaborating with students in Tuvalu in a very special event around the Earth Day 2010 in which you can participate too – and it’s really easy, read on.

But first, for the ones who may don’t know where the country Tuvalu is, here’s a short summary from its Wikipedia page:

Tuvalu

Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls. Its population of 12,373 makes it the third-least-populated sovereign state in the world.

From all the important facts about Tuvalu, there’s something particularly important that you should: due to global warming and the rising of sea-level, there are predictions that in the next 50 years the entire population will have to be evacuated. The ocean can swallow Tuvalu whole, making it the first country to be wiped off the map by climate change! Isn’t that scary?

Tuvalu students certainly think it is, and so do we. Postcrossing is proudly collaborating with them in this year Earth Day to help spread their word about how important it is to reflect and act upon climate change. The project is called “Send Tuvalu to the world” and consists on sending 422 postcards to all over the world sharing their thoughts about Tuvalu. The students organized a painting contest to draw a special stamp to be used in all the postcards, so these are very special indeed.

How would like to receive one of these postcards from the remote islands of Tuvalu? We know many of you would, so here’s how:

Just leave a comment on this Postcrossing blog post saying you would like one. We will then select the receivers from the first users of each country until we reach the needed 422 addresses. There are many possible slots for each country, so be sure to leave a comment! We will then share your address with the organization of this event in Tuvalu and the students will send your way one of this very special postcards.

It’s really simple to participate. But also very important, is to be aware – more than ever – about climate change, what it is doing to our planet, and what we should do about it.

Sally, 45 y.o., New Zealand. She discovered Postcrossing through Bookcrossing. She enjoys gardening but was easily hooked on cards.

How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?

I was looking up bookcrossing and stumbled across Postcrossing. Postcrossing seemed to be able to a result quicker than the Bookcrossing. I sent, I received! I was hooked with the first card in my letter box.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies?

I really enjoy my gardening. Rubber stamping is another love, I sell the card I make to my fellow workers. I like to make a patchwork quilt in the summer and then hand sew them in the winter.

Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your postoffice or the place where you post or keep your postcards!

Heres my letter box where all my mail arrives. It is hand painted by a local craft firm.

Where I keep my postcards – just a couple of boxes right beside my computer, Im often browsing back thru them for a look.

Show and tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.

Favourite because of size and colour makes me feel like I’m right there.

Good news, everyone! We have received another exciting page from the travel diary of our little mail carriers, postman Paulo and postwoman Ana! They were just in Cape Coral, hosted by yvi-1, and loved every minute of it! Here’s a report of their days in sunny Florida.

We arrived in Cape Coral, Florida, USA on a mild March day and quickly understood what the attitude in paradise was all about. We headed directly for the pool but had to survive all sorts of terrifying wildlife before being able to relax. We grabbed a float and spent the afternoon enjoying the warm sun while gently bobbing in the cool pool water.

Then it was time for the Florida meetup held in Downtown Disney (Orlando) at Bongo’s Cuban Cafe. We were very excited to meet Orphan1965, chimoy, MarthicaAna, and 9teen87. Everyone enjoyed some traditional Cuban fare like mariquitas (fried plantains) and Ironbeer soft drink. We then went on a tour of Downtown Disney where we not only found great postcards in stores but were also able to take a picture with a Disney Princess and a dragon made out of Legos! We stopped by a Lego Paris wedding (was this some sort of foretelling?) and were eager to go on the balloon ride but it was closed.

At the end of the day, we stopped at the USPS mailbox located in Downtown Disney. We helped send the postcards signed at the meetup along their way. While getting ready to leave the Orlando area, we learned that Postcrossing.com had hit the 4 million postcard sent mark! It was very exciting. Unfortunately, yvi-1's local post office did not give her clearance to take pictures inside but we hope to have better luck at our next destination!

Not long ago, Postcrossing collaborated with UNICEF Poland and their “Cards full of life” anniversary by helping their cards travel all around the world. This has been so successful that they asked us to publish an open letter to thank all Postcrossers:

Dear Postcrossing Friends!

As you all know, our “Send a Card Full of Life” campaign started in November last year and immediately caught attention of people from all over the world. UNICEF cards quickly began to cross country borders, seas and oceans and carry our message to all people – sending a UNICEF card is not only a great way to stay in touch with your friends and loved ones, share emotions and thoughts, but most of all it is a simple and effective way to support our work for children.

Cards full of life success wouldn’t be possible without YOUR help and commitment. You gave our cards the first spin, helped us spread the word and send our cards to all continents. You posted photos of you and your cards on our website, commented our news on Cards Full of Life Facebook Fan Page and even contacted us on our email address to get more information on UNICEF and UNICEF cards. What started as a UNICEF Poland project, quickly became a worldwide game.

Your involvement and will to help is overwhelming and while our campaign continues, you still are with us, sending UNICEF cards every day.

We are very grateful for all that each one of you have done for UNICEF.

THANK YOU Postcrossing!

UNICEF Poland Team
Warsaw, 24.03.2010

Un-be-lie-va-ble! Four million smiles spread in postcards around the world! Even our little mail carriers are thrilled!

Well done to all postcrossers, each and every one of you contributed to this milestone. You’re amazing!

So, we know you’re all itching to know more about this super postcard, so, without further ado here it goes:

The four millionth postcard received through Postcrossing traveled from JS1980 in Czech Republic to scheppie in The Netherlands. Lovely postcard, isn’t it?

Nobody guessed the correct countries this time… so only the sender and the receiver will receive a coupon for a 60 postcard pack from MOO.

Remember that until April 15th, MOO is offering all postcrossers a 15% discount on the purchase of any pack of postcards (20 or 60), with the code POSTCROSSING15. Enjoy!

Now… shall we start counting to 5 million? :)

PS – thank you Yvi-1 for the cute picture with our wandering mail carriers!