Missoula EcoPaws

Over the last several decades, 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, along with other environmental challenges, have contributed to global climate change including 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. In practicing sustainable behaviors, users have the opportunity to increase their awareness of the importance of these actions and the needs of the planet. Moreover, the app’s incentives for rewards help spread this conscientiousness to those who wouldn’t otherwise take the effort to be sustainable. The goal of Missoula EcoPaws is to promote community involvement, education and everyday environmentalism. Some choices we hope to incentivize are attending events on 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.