Ghost of Midnight

When are neighbors better than family?

(Photo: Joshua Brown)

“A study by University of Vermont (UVM) sociologist Thomas Macias found that people who socialize with their neighbors would switch to more planet-saving measures than people who kept to themselves or associated mainly with family and friends,” according to TakePart.com.  “Macias lives in an area where people take the time to get to know their neighbors and stay connected via online communities like FrontPorchForum.com.”

UVM reports “The study, published by Environment and Behavior journal, finds that people who socialize with neighbors are more likely to ‘keep up with the Jones’ on green behaviors, including water and energy conservation, buying organic fruits and vegetables and driving less. ‘These findings suggest that our neighbors play a unique and crucial role in getting people to act on climate change,’ says Macias. ‘Green outcomes were surprisingly higher for neighbors than family relatives or close friends.’