Graduation Year
2002
Graduation Month
May
Document Type
Professional Paper
School or Department
Environmental Studies
Major
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Faculty Mentor Department
Social Work
Faculty Mentor
Jen Barile
Keywords
Sustainability, Incentives, Environment, Climate Change, Climate Inaction, Ecopsychology
Subject Categories
Environmental Studies | Sustainability
Abstract
Climate change has had a drastic impact on the planet on a biological, political, and socioeconomic level. The excessive consumption of natural resources and human-induced pollution has contributed to rising temperatures, intensified weather patterns, and an increase in natural disasters (Nations, 2019). This has led to high levels of eco-anxiety and grief in younger generations, driven by psychological factors, misinformation, and governmental resistance to meaningful change which has influenced inaction in individuals (Hickman et al, 2021). In order to address these growing concerns, we have created a rewards program for our campus community to encourage eco-positive behavior. Missoula EcoPaws is based on successful European programs such as those in Copenhagen, Denmark and Edinburgh, Scotland (Young Scots 2025 & Farag 2024). In practicing sustainable behaviors, users can learn the importance of these small actions that contribute to a larger effort in caring for the planet, further easing eco-anxiety. Moreover, the website’s incentives for rewards help spread this conscientiousness to those who wouldn’t otherwise make the effort to be sustainable. The goal of Missoula EcoPaws is to promote community involvement, education and everyday environmentalism. Some climate-conscious actions we featured in our program include attending events about climate change, using alternative transportation methods, and recycling. Rewards for these actions come from local businesses to encourage community involvement. This is an environmentally focused solution with local economic benefits. Missoula EcoPaws hopes to raise awareness of climate change and inspire environmental action in both our local and global communities.
Honors College Research Project
1
GLI Capstone Project
yes
Recommended Citation
Sanders, Jaymie; Cannon, Valayna; McCumber, Katy; and Ransom, Hattie, "Missoula EcoPaws: Environmental Incentive Program to Combat Environmental Inaction" (2002). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 556.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/556
Included in
© Copyright 2002 Jaymie Sanders, Valayna Cannon, Katy McCumber, and Hattie Ransom