Carrotmob

TreeHugger blog named Carrotmob "Best Consumer Activism" in their Best of Green guide.

Carrotmob is a method of activism that leverages consumer power to make the most socially-responsible business practices also the most profitable choices. Businesses compete with one another to see who can do the most good, and then a big mob of consumers buys products in order to reward whichever business made the strongest commitment to improve the world. It’s the opposite of a boycott.

Springfield has some good residential energy efficiency programs and more are gearing up with new investments by CWLP. But the city hasn't done as much to promote efficiency in the commercial sector. Maybe the Mayor's new Cool Cities Advisory Council could help promote something similar to Carrotmob. The store that commits to doing the most to reduce their energy use would get the recognition and extra business from a Carrotmob. It could be a regular event once every month or two. They'd just have to figure out a way to de-Californize it.