Abstract
The future of life on Earth is in danger. Human actions are producing many harmful and possibly irreversible changes to the environmental conditions that are endangering the function of life support systems. Unless these issues are addressed, the changes to the environment will make life increasingly miserable and eventually may make earth uninhabitable in the future. This paper will discuss how public's knowledge of various topics, including current methods of preservation, in combination with status motivation can increase their willingness and alter their behaviors to preserve the planet. The questions connected to this study researches are; how displays of proenvironmentalism are perceived / interpreted by others, how individual differences influence the extent to which status motives lead to self-sacrifice, and how competition as motivation can be used to alter attitudes and behaviors for the better.
Social Psychological Motivations to "Going Green"
Environmental changes have become a concern for psychologists because it is likely to have profound impact on human well-being and because human behavioral change is required to address it. In addition, the magnitude and irrevocability of various environmental changes demands our attention if we are to continue to study and promote healthy physical and psychological functioning. Mass extinction, rapidly disappearing rainforests, clouds of pollution spreading across the globe and whopping carbon footprints are only a few of the incredible environmental quandaries we're facing today, and the facts seem unreal (Steph 2006).
We produce enough trash to circle the globe hundreds and hundreds of times, and the amount of money wasted on the Iraq war could have solved many of the world's problems (Steph 2006; Lauer 2010). It's not all bad news, though: we've got thousands of years worth of geothermal power at our fingertips, and the potential of renewable energy from wind turbines is amazing indeed (Steph 2006; Lauer 2010). There are some mind-boggling green facts and statistics in Appendix 1, from a patch of plastic trash in the Pacific the size of the US to the staggering statistics on recycling.
Motivation
In the past environmental preservation has been analyzed in a very scientific manner with results that may mean a lot to the scientists but won't help much in motivating the general public. Until fairly recently there has been little publicity about how much of a difference recent changes have made and how easy it could be to make even more substantial changes in the future. The only environmental preservation initiatives that seem to have lasted are those where the general public sees some sort of immediate effect. For example recycling aluminum cans give a small refund or energy efficient appliances saves money on electricity bills. Another immediate effect that has worked in the past, is use of environmental preservation for status (Griskevicius, Tybur, and Van den Bergh, 2010). Activating status motives influences product choices when people are choosing between relatively luxurious non-green products that primarily serve the self versus less luxurious green products that can benefit society especially in a public setting.
Griskevicius, Tybur, and Van den Bergh (2010) experimented with status versus conservation. They examined how activating a motive for status influences a person's choice of environmentally friendly products. The luxury products, chosen specifically because they were desirable, were price equally and made by the same company as their environmentally friendly counter parts. The prediction was that activating status motives would increase the choice of the prosocial green products.
They studied 168 students in small groups in a lab setting. The students were told the experiment was for a different purpose as to not taint the results gained from the study. Status motives were elicited by having half the participants read a short story that elicited status motives and the other half read a story of similar length as a control group. Then the students would make a series of choices between the prosocial green product and the luxury counter part.
As predicted those in the control group would be more likely to choose the luxury products over the prosocial green products and activating status motives led people to increase the likelihood lf choosing the environmentally friendly products.
Griskevicius, Tybur, and Van den Bergh (2010) again experimented with status versus conservation but added a component of public versus private setting. They studied 93 students in the same way as their first experiment with one exception. Before they were to make their choices one group was told imagine they were shopping in public and another group was told to imagine shopping alone at home.
As predicted there is a significant interaction with status motives and a public versus private setting. When shopping in public status motives increased the amount of prosocial green products chosen. However, when shopping in private, activating status motives actually minimally increased the attractiveness of the luxury product over the environmentally friendly one.
In Griskevicius, Tybur, and Van den Bergh's (2010) final experiment the products' prices were manipulated and added to the study. They studied 156 students in the manner as their first experiment adding a 20% price difference. Students were asked to rate which product appealed to them on a 9-point scale instead of a simple product choice as in the other two experiments.
As predicted the influence of status motives on the attractiveness of green products depended on the relative price of the product. When green products were more expensive, status motives increased the attractiveness of those products. However when the products were less that the luxury products status motives did not increase the desire for green products.
Griskevicius, Tybur, and Van den Bergh's (2010) have proven that status motives can be useful tool in getting the public to buy prosocial products. Their research was however all hypothetical in a lab and the participants were not actually buying the products. Their research leads to two important questions connected to this study's research; how displays of proenvironmentalism are perceived / interpreted by others and how individual differences influence the extent to which status motives lead to self-sacrifice
The attitudes and actions of those who are educated and those who had status motivation will be reflected against those who did not (the control group) on questionnaires that are given to all the tenants or owners before the meeting and a month the initial meetings. Results will also be reflected in the usage of the pro-environmental products and actions done over that month. For example how much more product was recycled, how much energy did the tenants conserve, etc.
The Current Research
The first prediction being tested is that if the public can be made more knowledgeable in combination with status motivation there will be a notable positive change in the public's attitudes toward environmental preservation activities. There is a predicted spike in the initial phases of the experiment and a drop in activity over the following weeks but those who perceive a status increase will be more environmentally aware and active than those who don't.
The second prediction being tested is that if this concept of knowledge can be added to another motivation like competitive altruism, the effects of the experiment will be more sustainable. There is a predicted spike in the initial phases of the experiment and a drop in activity over the following weeks but those who participate in the competition will be more environmentally aware and active than those who don't participate in the competitive form of altruism.
Experiment 1: Informed vs. Uninformed
Participants
Fifty to one hundred people in three similar apartment buildings (for a total of 150-300 participants) from middle class society and the same area in the same town. All of which must read English, to fill out the required information and understand the consent agreement.
Materials
The materials needed to complete this experiment are the presentations for the introduction and debriefing of the participants on the experiment, the handouts of "Eye Opening Facts" (Appendix 1), the tips for "Easy Ways to Go Greener at Home" (Appendix 2), the evaluation scale used to measure changes (Appendix 3), the consent form (Appendix 4), and finally the incentives for general participation.
Procedure
Locate three apartment buildings (A, B, & C) that are in close proximity and have 50 -100 residents in each. Then collect 50 weeks of data on electricity and water consumption, as well as the amount of trash is in the organic/other bin compared to the recycle bins (if there are any). Incentives for participation will have to be obtained if necessary. Conduct the experiment during the three warmest moths of the year or the three coldest months of the year (when energy consumption is the highest).
Individually meet with everyone in building "A" showing them their presentation and ask them to please fill out the questionnaire and the consent form that agrees they will repeat the questionnaire in 12 weeks and 24 weeks as well as allow for the gathering of needed statistical data, explaining that it is for a study on how to best to save potentially wasted money.
Hold a general meeting with everyone in building "B" showing them their presentation and ask them to please fill out the questionnaire and the consent form that agrees they will repeat the questionnaire in 12 weeks and 24 weeks as well as allow for the gathering of needed statistical data, explaining that it is for a study on how to best to save potentially wasted money and emphasize how important environmental preservation is including examples of how easy it can be to "go green."
Hold a general meeting with everyone in building "C" showing them their presentation and ask them to please fill out the questionnaire and the consent form that agrees they will repeat the questionnaire in 12 weeks and 24 weeks as well as allow for the gathering of needed statistical data, explaining that it is for a study on how to best to save potentially wasted money and emphasize how important environmental preservation is including examples of how easy it can be to "go green" and make a difference in status.
Every week in building "B" and "C", post the amount of energy and water consumed as well as trash being thrown away and recycled compared to the last 50 weeks, in a very simple visual manner like a bar graph.
Repeat the questionnaire on week 12 and week 24. On week 25 have a wrap-up meeting presenting a summary of the experiment and the results obtained with all three buildings. Answer any questions and at this time give out the incentives.
Results and Discussion
As predicted the added perception of status increase the number of people who made pro-environmental changes and the degree to which these changes were made as well as how long the changes were maintained for. The initial evaluation showed that there was minimal pro-environmental activity prior to the experiment. The week 12 evaluations showed a significant improvement. The week 24 evaluations showed a drop off from the week 12 evaluation but the overall result was still significantly improved over the initial evaluation.
Experiment 2: Informed Status Enhancement with and without Competition
Participants
Fifty to one hundred people in three similar apartment buildings (for a total of 150-300 participants) from middle class society and the same area in the same town. All of which must read English, to fill out the required information and understand the consent agreement.
Materials
The materials needed to complete this experiment are the presentations for the introduction and debriefing of the participants on the experiment, the handouts of "Eye Opening Facts" (Appendix 1), the tips for "Easy Ways to Go Greener at Home" (Appendix 2), the evaluation scale used to measure changes (Appendix 3), the consent form (Appendix 4), and finally the incentives for general participation as well as prizes for the winner(s) of the competition.
Procedure
Locate three apartment buildings (D, E, & F) that are in close proximity and have at least 50 residents each. Then collect 50 weeks of data on electricity and water consumption, as well as the amount of trash is in the organic/other bin compared to the recycle bins (if there are any). Incentives and prizes for the competition and participation will also have to be obtained if necessary. Conduct the experiment during the three warmest moths of the year or the three coldest months of the year (when energy consumption is the highest).
Hold a general meeting with everyone in building "D" showing them their presentation and ask them to please fill out the questionnaire and the consent form that agrees they will repeat the questionnaire in 12 weeks and 24 weeks as well as allow for the gathering of needed statistical data, explaining that it is for a study on how to best to save potentially wasted money and emphasize how important environmental preservation is including examples of how easy it can be to "go green" and make a difference in status.
Hold a general meeting with everyone in buildings "E" and "F" showing them their presentation and ask them to please fill out the questionnaire and the consent form that agrees they will repeat the questionnaire in 12 weeks and 24 weeks as well as allow for the gathering of needed statistical data, explaining that it is for a study on how to best to save potentially wasted money and emphasize how important environmental preservation is including examples of how easy it can be to "go green" and make a difference in status. These two buildings will also get rules for a competition and information on the prize that will be given to the winner.
Every week all three buildings will get a post on the amount of energy and water consumed as well as trash being thrown away and recycled compared to the last 50 weeks, in a very simple visual manner like a bar graph.
Repeat the questionnaire on week 12 and week 24. On week 25 have a wrap-up meeting presenting a summary of the experiment and the results obtained with all three buildings. Answer any questions and at this time give out the incentives.
Results and Discussion
As predicted the added perception competition with that of increased status increased the number of people who made pro-environmental changes and the degree to which these changes were made as well as how long the changes were maintained for. The initial evaluation showed that there was minimal pro-environmental activity prior to the experiment. The week 12 evaluations showed a significant improvement. The week 24 evaluations showed a drop off from the week 12 evaluation but the overall result was still significantly improved over the initial evaluation.
Recommendations
Implications
These results support the theories that status and competition are valuable motivating factors when trying to get a group of people to act.
Applications
By conducting the experiments over the length of time that was specified people will have developed new pro-environmental habits that should continue well after the experiment is over. This type of experiment in the application of status and competition as motivation can be applied to specific aspects of "going green" like recycling, water and electricity conservation, or buying "green" products.
Directions for Future Research
Seeing as these experiments were conducted using the building as a whole, it would be beneficial to conduct the same study but on a more individual house hold basis. According to Griskevicius, Tybur, and Van den Bergh's (2010) research because the tenants/owners are being asked to commit in a public setting the status motivation should influence the people in the status motivated groups to get involved more so than those in the control groups.
This type of experiment could be easily adapted to colleges with on sight fraternities and sororities. They could all compete for the best pro-environmental results or the largest pro-environmental changes. It would save them all money and the winner would gain a higher status over the other fraternities or sororities. This experiment would also work in multi dormitory setting but may need different incentives to make it work.
The experiment could also be performed in various different areas of a state or country to get a better idea of how social psychological aspects related to living conditions or cultures will affect the results. The wealthy might "go green" more for status and the poor might do to it to save money. Which motivation works the best? Does the motivation matter or is it all the same as long as the planet benefits?
References
American Psychological Association (2009) American Psychological Association Task Force on the Interface between Psychology and Global Climate Change Report Retrieved on March 20, 2010 from http://www.apa.org/releases/climate-change.pdf
Baron, R. A., Branscombe, N. R., & Byrne, D. (2009). Social psychology (12th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Disney Friends for Change: Project Green (2009) Retrieved April 1, 2010 from http://disney.go.com/projectgreen/index.html?int_cmp=dcom_ffc_groups_backtohome__Intl
Griskevicius, V., Tybur, J. M., Van den Bergh, B., (2010) Going green to be seen: Status, reputation, and conspicuous conservation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 98(3), pp. 392-404
Lauer, B. (2010) Go Green Retrieved on April 10, 2010 from http://www.gogreencommercially.com/go-green-facts/
Reid, N. (2006). Thoughts on attitude measurement. Research in Science & Technological Education, 24, 3-27
Steph (2006) 15 Mind-Boggling Green Facts & Enviro-Stats Retrieved on April 10, 2010 from http://webecoist.com/2008/11/26/amazing-frightening-green-facts-environmental-statistics/
Appendix 1
Eye Opening Environmental Facts
The Wall Street bailout is costing taxpayers around $700 billion and growing. Yet, just 4% of the Wall Street bailout could end world hunger (Steph 2006; Lauer 2010). Though the problem is often touted as insurmountable, in truth, global food insecurity could be completely solved by creating agricultural programs that would cost about $30 billion a year. The Iraq War has cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 trillion. Steph (2006) used an application on EarthFirst.com that analyzed a pretend spending spree with how that money could have been spent. He found that money would cover on all of the following and much more: universal health care for every American, switching all of the U.S. to run on solar power, building a national rapid transit system, cleaning up pollution in major cities, achieving universal literacy, repairing the damage done by Hurricane Katrina, providing non-violent leadership training for 10 million leaders across the world and buying new clothing, shoes, coats and school supplies for 10 million children (Steph 2006).
Within 20 years, wind power could provide 20% of America's power (Steph 2006; Lauer 2010). Offshore wind turbines have the potential to produce as much power as all of the power plants in the United States. 1% of Australia's untapped geothermal power potential could provide enough energy to last 26,000 years (Step 2006) although it is not ready to be used just yet.
The human population on earth has grown more in the last 50 years than it did in the previous 4 million years. It took almost all of human history to reach a global population of 1 billion. Today, we're at over 6.7 billion and adding an estimated 74 million people to the planet every year. In fact, the United Nations believes that we'll reach 9 billion by 2050. Such a large population will put a huge strain on already stretched resources, making severe food and water shortages far more likely.
Less than 1% of the world's freshwater is readily available for human use. The amount of water that's safe for us to use is declining sharply due to pollution and contamination. If all US residential homes installed water-efficient appliances, the country would save more than 3 Trillion Gallons of water and more than $18 Billion dollars per year (Lauer 2010). Between 1950 and 2000, the US population nearly doubled. However, in that same period, public demand for water more than tripled.
Every day in the U.S., we produce enough trash to equal the weight of the Empire State Building. We throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, produce enough styrofoam cups annually to circle the earth 436 times and trash enough office paper to build a 12-foot wall form Los Angeles to New York City. Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it the incinerator (Lauer 2010).The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a swirling vortex of waste and debris in the Pacific Ocean, covers an area twice the size of the continental U.S. and is believed to hold almost 100 million tons of garbage.
Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil, 4,100 kilowatts of energy, 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space and 60 pounds of air pollution (Steph 2006; Lauer 2010). 17 saved trees can absorb a total of 250 pounds of carbon dioxide, while the burning of the same trees would create 1500 pounds of carbon dioxide. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough electricity to power a TV for three hours, and aluminum cans can be recycled an unlimited number of times. Recycling aluminum saves roughly 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum from raw materials. Every ton of recycled steel saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,000 pounds of coal, and 40 pounds of limestone. Increasing steel recycling by 50% would save the energy equivalent to 7 nuclear power plants. Recycling a ton of glass saves the equivalent to 9 gallons of oil. Recycling 1 glass bottle causes 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution and cuts waste by 80%.
One in four mammals is at risk of extinction. Marine mammals in particular face even steeper odds, with one in three threatened. Humans are mostly to blame as we've encroached upon their habitats, polluted the earth and hunted far too many of them. The problem is especially bad in Asia, where agricultural expansion and development of infrastructure has led to a staggering statistic: 79 percent of the continent's primate species face extinction. Across the world, 78 percent of marine mammals are threatened by accidental deaths such as getting caught in fishing nets intended for other species.
At least 50 million acres of rainforest are lost every year, totaling an area the size of England, Wales and Scotland combined. More than 50 percent of all living creatures on the earth reside in tropical rainforests, so with rainforest destruction they're disappearing at a rate of 100 species per day. Experts believe that 5 to 10 percent of tropical rainforest species will become extinct by during the next half-century. They're also projecting that half of the remaining Amazon rainforest may be destroyed by the year 2030. The World Wildlife Fund concluded that 55 percent of the world's largest rainforest stands to be severely damaged from agriculture, drought, fire, logging and livestock ranching over the next 22 years.
At least 50 million acres of rainforest are lost every year, totaling an area the size of England, Wales and Scotland combined. More than 50 percent of all living creatures on the earth reside in tropical rainforests, so with rainforest destruction they're disappearing at a rate of 100 species per day. Experts believe that 5 to 10 percent of tropical rainforest species will become extinct by during the next half-century. They're also projecting that half of the remaining Amazon rainforest may be destroyed by the year 2030. The World Wildlife Fund concluded that 55 percent of the world's largest rainforest stands to be severely damaged from agriculture, drought, fire, logging and livestock ranching over the next 22 years.
Appendix 2
Easy Ways to Go Greener at Home
Get a new shower head: You can save more than half the water by buying a newer, more efficient shower head that keeps pressure high, and water waste low.
Flush with grey-water: Grey-water is the name for collected rain water or water saved from doing loads of laundry. This water can easily be used for purposes that do not require clean water, and one of the prime examples, is in the toilet.
Control the thermostat: Turning your thermostat down by one degree can shave 10% off your heating bill. If your heating system has only a basic on/off switch, or runs on one basic thermostat, a more sophisticated panel can help save enormous amounts of energy by putting you in control.
Vanquish those vampires: Vampire electronics are an enormous waste of energy. These are products that don't come with proper on/off switches, and are running all the time even when we don't use them. Products like the VCR (or DVD player now), game consoles are notoriously bad, and units that are fully charged yet still plugged in and charging (laptops and cell phones). Turn these items off when not in use! Turn off lights when you leave the room.
Change to Fluorescent Bulbs - If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets.
Don't Rinse - Skip rinsing your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. In average you will save 15 gallons of water per load. Plus, you will save time.
Hang Outside to Dry - Get a cloths line or rack to dry your cloths. Your cloths will last longer and you will save money
Turn off computers at night - don't just put them to sleep. You will save an average of 4 cents a day which ads up to $14.60 a year.
Use Both Sides of Paper - if you have a printer with a double sided print option use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used. Then when your done bring it to the recycle bin.
Get rid of baths - Don't take baths, take showers. You will in average save about half the amount of water that you would if you were taking a bath.
Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.
Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.
Shorten your shower - Every minute you cut from your shower is roughly 5 gallons of water. The less time your shower takes, the lower your impact on the environment.
Recycle Glass - If you do not recycle this, it will take a million years to decompose.
Don't Pre-Heat the Oven - unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it.
Use Warm or Cold Setting on Washer - instead of the hot cycle use the warm or cold setting. This will save a lot of energy a year.
Turn Down your Thermostat - Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10% decrease on your energy bill.
Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.
Get rid of junk mail - There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox. http://www.ecofuture.org/jnkmail.html, http://www.donotmail.org/the-solutions, http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm, www.optout.com
Use Matches instead of lighters - Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.
Don't get a paper phone book - Instead of getting a paper phone book. Use a online directory instead.
Give things away - Take things that you are not going to wear or use and give it to a charity or someone who will use it.
Go to a car wash - Going to a car wash is a lot more water efficient then washing your car at home.
Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online.
Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.
Pay your Bills Online - If every house in the US did this then we would save 18 million trees every year.
Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bags, or make your own so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.
Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.
Inflate your Tires - If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.
Plant a Tree - It's good for the air, can keep you cool, and can increase your property value.
Buy Local Produce - Consider how much energy it takes for produce from china or any other country to come here. If you have the option to buy local, do it.
Walk or Ride Your Bike When you can - If you have to go somewhere close consider riding your bike or walking there instead of your car. It's better on the environment and healthier.
Plant a garden. It's good to have a reminder around of where our food originates and saves money.
Switch all your light bulbs to CFLs (or at least switch a few).
Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.
Open your curtains and enjoy natural light, don't turn on lights at all for as long as you can,
Drive the speed limit, and combine all your errands for the week in one trip.
Walk or ride a bike to your errands that are two miles or closer.
Shop at your farmer's market and support your local economy.
Turn off your computer completely at night.
Fix leaky faucets.
Make your own household cleaners.
Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.
Repurpose something - turn one of your well-worn t-shirts into basic play pants for your baby. Or save egg cartons for paint wells, seed starters, treasure boxes, or a myriad of other crafts.
Collect rainwater, and use it to water your houseplants and garden.
Use cloth instead of paper to clean your kitchen. Be frugal, and make these rags out of old towels and t-shirts.
Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers and bulk storage, especially in the kitchen.
Reduce everyday shower time to five minutes if possible
Donate to - and shop at - thrift stores such as Goodwill. You'll be recycling perfectly usable items, and you'll be supporting your local economy.
Appendix 3
Evaluation Questionnaire
Name _____________________ Building ______Apartment Number _________Date ________
Waste Reduction & Recycling: (Check all that apply)
Plastics (#1 and #2)
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Corrugated Cardboard and Containers
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Aluminum and Steel Cans
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Mixed Paper/Junk Mail
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Newspapers
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Magazines
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Clear glass
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Colored glass
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Old Metals (Jar lids, used hardware, old appliances, etc.)
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Computer Printout
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Fluorescent Lighting Tubes
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Printer and Fax Cartridges
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Wrapping Paper (No mylar or plasticized paper)
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Participate in your local government's electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Recycle household batteries at the library recycling kiosks.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Carry a reusable water bottle when traveling.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Buy in bulk to save on packaging.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Practice paper saving initiatives, such as double sided printing, two page sheets, using eco-friendly printing paper, etc.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Use washable mugs instead of Styrofoam cups.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Carry your own canvas bags to the store instead of using plastic bags.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Unsubscribe to junk mail lists through
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Transportation (Check all that apply)
Use public transportation, walk, cycle or carpool in travel to, from and at work.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Talk to your boss about telecommuting at least 1 day a week.
ô€€€ Yes ô€€€ No
Purchase a fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle if you buy a new vehicle. ô€€€ Yes ô€€€ No
Energy Efficiency (Check all that apply)
Set the thermostat at least 2 degrees lower in the winter and at least 2 degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when older incandescent bulbs burn out.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Unplug appliances when not in use or use a power strip to turn off electronics in "stand-by" mode (TVs, DVDs, Video Games, Consoles, etc.) to reduce electric consumption.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible to save energy on heating the water.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Use a drying rack instead of machine drying.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Purchase Energy Star-recommended appliances when replacing old ones.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Use natural light whenever possible.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Clean or change your HVAC filter monthly during times of peak usage.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Have a checkup for your HVAC system every 2 years to make sure that it is running efficiently.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Plug leaks around the windows, doors and other wall penetrations with weather stripping and caulk.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
Water Conservation (Check all that apply)
Take shorter showers to reduce water use. ô€€€ Yes ô€€€ No
Install a low-flow showerhead. ô€€€ Yes ô€€€ No
Add aerators to sink faucets. ô€€€ Yes ô€€€ No
Plant drought-tolerant vegetation in landscaped areas. ô€€€ Yes ô€€€ No
Use recaptured rain water for landscape and garden areas.
ô€€€ Never ô€€€ Occasionally ô€€€ Sometimes ô€€€ Most of the time ô€€€ Always
