Getting Motivated to Go Green

I have felt tied to the environment since a teacher in the sixth grade started a contest. The challenge was to see how long you could reuse the same brown paper lunch bag. For each day your bag made it through lunch and recess, the teacher initialed it. On science test day, if you turned in your lunch bag, you received one extra credit point for each signature. Genius.

Even though I really didn't need 6 extra points on my science test, I love a challenge. I know I'm not the only one who loves a challenge. Have you ever offered to eat something disgusting for $5? Why not offer your kids a nickel for each box they break down or bottle they rinse and put in the recycling bin instead of throwing it in the trash? Why not challenge your neighbor to see who can use less water to take care of your lawn? Why not test yourself to see if you can increase your mpg by picking up a few hypermiling driving techniques?

Beyond challenge, money is also a huge motivator. With rising oil, gas, food, and natural resource costs; it is finally becoming financially savvy to be green. Frugal is the new black, so that must make environmentally frugal the new greenish-black. Or brown - which is what you get if you try to mix green and black when you tie-dye t-shirts or color Easter eggs.

At any rate, being conscious of what you buy and what you use not only saves natural resources, it saves economic resources. Keeping the air conditioning and heat set a degree or two higher/lower than you normally do will save kilowatt hours that will in turn make your energy bill lighter. Even Kroger, my local grocery store, will offer you 3 cents per bag for each reusable bag you bring and use instead of taking one of theirs. A quarter a week back in your pocket is $10 by the end of the year. That kind of return on investment may even beat the interest rate on your checking account lately.

The other key motivator for me is being environmentally conscious is to protect. I'd love to protect the parks, animals, and views for myself. I'd also love to protect a quality way of life for the next generation; specifically my 9 nieces and nephews.

To work to save something is emotionally fulfilling. Concentrating on improving life is quite a bit more rewarding than just clocking time and counting money. It puts things in perspective. It gives you purpose. It provides more calm in my life than any other job I have ever held.

You may have your own reason for going green. In fact, I think every person has a different motivator. What matters is that you are motivated to change and improve the quality of your life and surroundings. Stay energized, when you are working for green you are working for good.

What motivates you? Focus on making tiny green changes in a way that feels most rewarding to you. Whether it's saving money, changing the future, or supporting people in need - you can find a way to make a difference. Challenge yourself to make a new change every year while you introduct environmentally sustainable habits into your life. Before you know it, you will be green without even thinking.