Making Change Happen
Sustainable Practices that Add Up
We often assert that small sustainable practices add up. So what are some specific examples? Honestly, the examples are everywhere!
Incentives and Motivation: It’s Complicated!
Sustainability professionals are in the business of making change happen, and that typically means motivating people to do something differently than how they did it previously. Engaging and encouraging a population to change behavior required both incentives and motivation – and that’s complicated! Here are some examples many of our client see in the workplace:
Energy Star is an Easy Cool Choice for Conservation
In April, 2017, more than 1,000 US businesses urged the Trump administration to strengthen the federal Energy Star program, rather than eliminating it. For these businesses, including big names like Staples and Ingersoll Rand, the argument is an economic one. Every tax dollar invested in the Energy Star program saves $680 annually, which is a return any businessperson would appreciate.
Here at Cool Choices, we are also a strong proponent of Energy Star. While we appreciate the economics, we also have other importation reasons for supporting the program.
Beyond the Game: Making Daily Sustainable Habits a Way of Life
To highlight the cool things our alums do after taking part in the Cool Choices online sustainability program, we love to share stories from past participants. Our alumni always impress us by taking sustainable practices to the next level. Sara inspired us with her desire to make small, daily sustainable habits a way of life.
The History of Earth Day
How did Earth Day get started? Let’s take a look at the origins of this widely-celebrated day of action as well as its role in efforts to preserve the Earth’s natural resources and to protect public health.
A Week’s Worth of Sustainable Living Ideas
Are you looking to be a little more sustainable in your daily life? We have seven sustainable living ideas that you can get started on today!
Leveraging Social Norms to Achieve Sustainability Objectives
As human beings, we are surrounded by social norms – interactions with others that indicate approval or disapproval of our actions. We get cues from folks close to us, such as a partner who rolls their eyes when you start to tell ‘that’ story again. We also get cues from total strangers, like the pedestrian who smiles when I stop for them in the crosswalk.
Picking Up Litter: A Spring Tradition
It’s springtime in Wisconsin, and for us Midwesterners, spring means there’s litter, uncovered from the melting snow, in our yards.
I walk a couple of blocks to the gym most mornings, and when I see trash lying on the ground, I pick it up. This tradition always reminds me of Jack Imholte, the chancellor of my undergraduate alma mater, the University of Minnesota at Morris. I don’t think Jack ever walked past a piece of litter without picking it up. In fact, I have clear memories of him walking across campus, with crumpled paper cup or plastic bag in hand.
Resources for Energy Action Month
October is Energy Action Month!
Here are some handy resources to help you get involved:
- About Energy Action Month
- Office, Home & Facility checklists to save energy.
- Energy-themed social media graphics. See below & share!
- Follow Cooll Choices on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to get tips for energy saving actions!
Right click an image to open in a new tab or save to your computer.
Follett Team Members Take Game-Based Approach to Being Green
Cool Choices welcomes hundreds of Follett Corporation team members as they prepare to kick off their 6-week game-based sustainability program designed to create a buzz around being green at work and at home.
Follett team members will form teams of 6 and compete to take the greatest number of sustainable actions. Starting October 24th, participants at Follett will earn points for their teams and win prizes by reporting their daily sustainable actions online, including saving fuel and energy, recycling, choosing meatless meals and conserving water.
Founded in 1873, Follett currently works with 70,000 PreK-12 schools and higher education institutions as a leading provider of education technology, services and print and digital content. Follett demonstrates a strong commitment to the communities they serve and to various corporate social responsibility initiatives. For example, Follett promotes good in global communities through its campus store partnerships with Alta Gracia, a clothing brand known for its implementation of a living wage in the Dominican Republic, and the Thirst Project, a water non-profit founded and fueled by students. Additionally, Follett promotes educational innovation and a love of learning through its partnership with Reading is Fundamental and annual hosting of the Follett Challenge.
Once again, the Cool Choices team sends out a warm welcome to Follett team members!
