Super Eco

Photo credit: People for Earth

I have a confession. I'm not as green as I could be. I eat lots of prepared foods and I haven't made the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs in our light fixtures.

And it seems like I'm not alone in my green negligence. Although a 2007 BBC News survey that included 22,000 people from 21 different countries concluded that 70% of people would be willing to make significant changes to the way they live, most are probably like me—moving through life on momentum and not stopping to make the small daily decisions to go more green.

Fortunately there's a new website out there that can help guide and motivate us eco-lazies, People4Earth

It's a social networking site with a green focus. Members form groups, ask and answer questions, and contribute to how-to guides on living a more green life on a daily basis.

But it's not all talk. For people like me who need a push in the right direction, the site suggests a Daily Action, such as inviting a friend for a fair trade coffee, buying a reusable pen, or finding a green dry-cleaner.

The thoroughness of the site impresses me and the main category heading of Enjoy reminds me that going green isn't a chore—it's something to delight in and savor.

And the best part? The site's point system. Once you join, you can add one, three or five points for each action you take. People who earn 500 or 1000 points get Earth Guardian and Golden Earth Guardian status badges. By committing to adding 10 points a week, I can motivate myself to achieve small eco-goals that slowly become habits and change the way I live and affect the planet.

The site is still small with about 200 members, but if marketed well, the idea could take off, providing many of us eco-lazies with that kick in the pants to finally make the changes that we keep talking about getting around to.