Tag: behavior change
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.
An Integral Corporate Sustainability Model for Employee Engagement
Sustainability Managers and other organizational leaders face many challenges when it comes to prioritizing their sustainability initiatives. From energy and waste focus areas to product procurement and resources, it is also important to integrate employee engagement into your sustainability action plan. By leveraging employee engagement, leads can accelerate sustainability efforts, while achieving deeper impacts on cost and waste.
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.
Beyond the Game: Kristin’s Sustainability Story
Cool Choices alumni continue to inspire us with the sustainability actions they’ve taken since taking part in our program. This month we were impressed by Kristin’s story about her volunteer work at a local nature preserve.
What green activities have you been up to since taking part in the Cool Choices program?
I planted native plants around the edges of a wood, pulled invasive species and mulched trails to prevent run off from rain.
Do you have any tips for others trying to be sustainable?
Look into volunteer opportunities with your local nature preserve!
Kristin took part in the Madison, WI city-wide Cool Choices online sustainability game in 2015.
Healthcare Employees at UW Health Boost Sustainability & Wellness Efforts
We extend our congratulations to UW Health employees on completing their customized Cool Choices employee engagement program!
Click image to see full size.
Check out how employees boosted sustainability efforts at UW Health!
- Nearly 180 teams of employees from UW Health participated in the Cool Choices sustainability and wellness program.
- Over 60 UW Health locations competed. They formed teams of 5 to log their sustainable actions online every day for 8 weeks.
- UW Health participants worked together to take more than 44,400 sustainable actions that save money and help the environment.
In their game, UW Health employees achieved estimated savings of $253,365. The participants logged actions that will save 3,498,037 gallons (5 Olympic sized swimming pools) of water annually and avoid 2,613,589 lbs (1,034 car trips from LA to NYC) of CO2.
During the game UW Health employees shared 1,725 sustainable ideas. These suggestions can be implemented to save money and energy.
“By adopting sustainable practices UW Health employees save money at work and at home while improving their personal wellness and reducing environmental impacts,” noted Kathy Kuntz, Executive Director at Cool Choices.
Thanks UW Health employees, your engagement and dedication are very inspiring!
Beyond the Game: Emily’s Sustainability Story
Emily plants a peach tree in Madison for her business, Emily Plants, LLC.
Past players of the Cool Choices game-based sustainability program continue to make green choices in their everyday lives even after the program ends. We are always impressed to learn how participating in Cool Choices impacts individuals and their decisions to take further sustainable actions. This month we were inspired by Emily’s story!
What green activities have you been up to since taking part in the Cool Choices program?
I have started my own edible landscaping business. I am encouraging people to plant more pollinator-friendly, edible, and native plants.
What tips do you have for others trying to be sustainable?
Just plant something! The best way to learn is by doing, so get growing!
Emily took part in the 2015 City Wide Cool Choices game in Madison, WI.
