Green with Envy | Part I

So what is it that makes you go green? Is it that you're really concerned about climate change? Maybe you majored in environmental science and made it a way of life. Or could it just be because it is what everyone else is doing and you feel it is just "the right thing to do?" Well whatever the reason is, the outcome of your choice for going green is definitely a good one. But studies have been done that prove a majority of people are just trying to out do their neighbors.

Much like how you might be jealous of your neighbors perfectly trimmed lawn or eye catching flowers in their front yard, you might find yourself seeking the same curb appeal. Yup, basically it's all about not feeling left out of the loop. If you want to pretend you are in a competition against the gal next door than more power to you. A few years back research study was done in several hotels. Signs were placed in the bathrooms stating 4 different things.

The first sign had the traditional message, asking guests to "do it for the environment." The second asked guests to "cooperate with the hotel" and "be our partner in this cause" (12 percent less effective than the first). The third stated that the majority of guests in the hotel reused towels at least once during their stay (18 percent more effective).

Green with Envy Series:

Green with Envy | Part 1

Green with Envy | Eco-Snob: Hybrids | Part II

How to Spot an Eco-Snob

The last message was even more specific: it said that the majority of guests "in this room" had reused their towels. It produced a 33 percent increase in response behavior over the traditional message. It might be a tough pill to swallow to think we might just be sheep without a mind of our own. However, there is a better way to look at it. We really just would like to follow a good example. Which brings me to another good point...Being the leader of the pack (so to speak) has a lot of advantages. If your neighbors take a glimpse out of their kitchen window and see you recycling daily, most likely it will plant a seed in their mind to start separating their recyclable materials. Maybe one day you are walking in your house carrying your groceries with your reusable tote bags. Truth be told the whole "planting a seed" thing does work, as I found myself at the market years back and saw a girl with several tote bags; it made me think "gosh I should really start to use those things." Shortly after I purchased some and use them all the time!

This same study is being done in an attempt to improve energy consumption. Positive energy is a software that lets you know how much energy you are saving compared to your neighbor. For example you might get an email stating "you have consumed 57% more energy than your neighbor and therefore spent an extra so and so dollars this month." Well if that can't get you to start unplugging your appliances and turning off your TV when you leave the room, then I don't know what will! The point of this post really is to just think about who may be noticing some of the things you do or don't do. Set a good example for your neighborhood and others in your life. Making green choices can send a ripple effect to hundreds of people making changes in their life. Strive to be a leader not a follower!

Thoughts, Comments, Questions...

Written by our contributor Angie Tarantino

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