Comments on: On Changing Behavior

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:56:32 +0000

I like this one. My store gives a 5 cent credit for every bag you bring, but that is not nearly as effective as charging for bags. I was glad to see Washington DC adopt the policy, and it would be great to see more businesses move that way independent of government regulation.

By: Janet in Toronto

Janet in Toronto — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:32:52 +0000

Retail stores in my city were recently required to charge 5 cents for a bag. So now, the default is “no bag” (unless you pay). The change in behaviour at grocery stores is amazing…people who bring their own cloth bags/bins far outnumber plastic bag users. All to save 5 cents per bag.

By: Carnival of the Green #212 « Save the Environment

Carnival of the Green #212 « Save the Environment — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:37:47 +0000

[...] Jess suggests: Don’t drag them kicking and screaming to greenness. Studies indicate that one of the most effective ways to change behavior is to change the default [...]

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:44:36 +0000

Thank you! I, too, am the I’ll get around to it type (is anyone not? possibly my husband…weird). I think that if we make it easier on ourselves to make balanced choices, we will see really positive changes in our lives and in the world. I would imagine there is probably a lovely zen saying somewhere that encapsulates this concept.

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:18:26 +0000

Hi Shaunta – I’m so glad you liked the site!

I had never thought about gluten and portability, but it definitely is true. And what a perfect example of how changing defaults changed the behavior. Plus I bet it was a lot easier than trying to convince the teenagers that junk food is bad!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:08:46 +0000

You make a really good point, Jess. I have always been the “I’ll get around to it” person – especially with the 401k. When I got laid off of my last job I lost out on THOUSANDS of dollars! *kicking myself*

Though I always tell you that you are much more ‘big picture’ than I am I’m going to defiintely think about this one. The previous comment made about moving the junk food was a really good idea.

Great way to communicate the point ;P

By: Shaunta Alburger

Shaunta Alburger — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:03:18 +0000

Hi I followed your repsonse to my response on Sharon Astyk’s site about Seattle here. What a great site, I’m excited to read more.

One default that we’ve changed is having food with gluten put up and away, because I can’t eat it. Even crumbs make me sick. So it’s not kept in the kitchen at all. I’ve noticed my husband and teenagers are far more likely to grab fruit or even sit down with a bowl of soup instead of grabbing cookies or a pbj. It’s amazing how portable gluten makes food. I never thougth of that until I couldn’t eat it anymore.