saving energy

Trademarked by the nonprofit BrainShift Foundation, the phrase captures the spirit of a movement that’s making headway across the country: ecologically conscious homeowners are competing to see who can reduce carbon emissions the fastest. Now in its second season, the Energy Smackdown™ uses television and a webcast to document the energy-saving efforts of teams of households from three Massachusetts towns. Ten cities are following Sacramento’s example by sending out monthly utility bills that compare energy consumption among neighbors. Efficient consumers get a smiley face. (Frowns turned out to be too upsetting.)

As this New York Times article documents, harnessing a little healthy competition turns out to be a really effective way to raise awareness and change behavior. Are you keeping down with the Joneses? How would you feel about comparing utility bills over the back fence?