The carrot is based on the old adage that we can get a business to do what we want them to do by using either the carrot or the stick. The stick approach would include picketing and protests. But the carrot approach entices businesses with our collective buying power. This movement focuses on sustainability- highlighting what businesses are already doing to be environmentally responsible and/ or e
ncouraging a business to start considering sustainability in it's practices. The way it works: area organizations, students, community members, etc, mob a business for a specific time period. The business pledges a certain percentage of the profits earned as a result of the mob towards a sustainable practice- whether it be energy-efficient lighting upgrades, reducing waste, buying from local growers, etc. We track the changes. Everybody wins. We are currently researching area business' practices and identifying local businesses which would like to be more sustainable. Nominate your local business to be mobbed! Springfield's CarrotMob is sponsored by MSU MBA students. For history on the CarrotMob movement click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CarrotMOB
