With the onset of YouTube and the emergence of digital advocacy, environmental groups, scientists, corporations, government agencies and independent filmmakers have all taken to the virtual airwaves in an effort to frame the critical environmental issues of today. The following is a chronological sampling of the viral videos that have defined the environmental movement from 1958-2010.

Bell Labs' Dr. Research -- Unchained Goddess (1958)

While it didn't go viral until 50 years after it was made, this video features the seemingly prophetic words of Dr. Frank Baxter, or, “Dr. Research,” from a series of educational films called The Bell Laboratory Science Series.

Epuron -- Mr. W (2005)

Sure there's a 47-year jump to our next choice, but perhaps that's indicative of something? A very clever wind energy commercial made by German wind energy developers, Epuron. The two-minute commercial follows the story"Mr. W" newfound purpose in society.

Government of Victoria, Australia -- Black Balloons (2006)

In a series of advertisements from the Victorian Government, a black balloon was used as a unit of measurement that holds about 50 grams of gas. The commercial tries to tackle a concept that is incredibly difficult to communicate--carbon dioxide emissions--in a way that gives a visual representation of something that is essentially colorless, odorless and shapeless.

Free Love Forum -- Coal (2007)

Written and directed by Jeremy Beiler as a comedy sketch,"Coal" quickly became an internet sensation because of its pointed satirical take on a growing trend of energy industry ads that feature actors as regular folks speaking in vague terms about energy.(Continued on page 2)