If you can remember a time before there was an Earth Day, you’re not a member of the next generation.
”...on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was held, one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy…” (from American Heritage Magazine, October 1993)
Members of the next generation grew up recycling, chastise their parents when they don’t, and are some of the environment’s most ardent protectors. But you don’t have to be under 40 to have a green heart. Doug Morgan is the managing partner at a law firm in Columbus, OH, where he launched an EcoBucks program at last month.
Here’s how it works (excerpt from Doug’s email to employees):
Every time you do not use additional fossil fuels to get to work (bus, bike, walk, ski, rollerblade, unicycle, etc.) a dollar or “Eco-Buck” is added to your paycheck for that day. Car pooling earns you 50 cents. Record keeping is on the honor system by simply initialing a calendar on any day that you participate. Turn in your days at the end of the month to Diane Cook and you will receive your Eco-Bucks.
In their first day of the program, Doug’s firm paid out $6.50 to:
- 1 walker
- 1 biker (Doug)
- 2 busers
- 5 carpoolers
Six-bucks-and-change may not seem like much, but for Doug’s 44-person law office, it represents a shift in how 20 percent of their workforce got to work. Who says attorneys are stodgy?! At this rate, they’ll also be paying less health insurance and sick leave, because employees are going to be in better shape!
How do you respond when members of the next generation ask in their interviews, “What’s your commitment to the environment?”
Read up:
- The Columbus Dispatch had a nice article on EcoBucks
- In addition to his day-job as the turbo-cool managing partner of his firm, Doug Morgan is the brains behind the Two Wheelin’ blog
- Ten Tips to Green your office from Treehugger.com
Comments
Login, Become a Member, or simply Register to comment.
