NOTE: Christopher Zimmermann's idea "Greenest Neighborhood Annual Championship" has been merged with this one.

What is the best way to change peoples behaviour? Peer pressure! This project aims to change peoples perception of what is a normal lifestyle, of what is acceptable behaviour as far as energy and carbon consumption, in a fun community-oriented way.
The competition is a way to reach out to people who are not yet acting on climate change. It's also a way to bring together the people in our communities who already are. This competition can help provide the stimulus and deadline that people so often need to actually take action.
Carbon Champions is a yearly competition in Vancouver to see which neighborhood earns the title of Champion in three categories. The competition is organized and implemented via a website which allows residents to register and to complete a carbon footprint calculation online. The website tracks average values for each neighborhood in three categories: 1. The lowest footprint. 2. The largest commitment to reduce. 3. The greatest percentage of residents participating. At the end of the annual competition an awards banquet is held with great fanfair, media attention, and prizes!
Project Goals
· To inspire individuals to take responsibility for their own carbon emissions by:
o Changing the "norm" of what is acceptable energy consumption (Currently people feel entitled to a high-carbon lifestyle).
o Making it fun to lower carbon - via good ol' competition and cooperation.
o Making it easier for people to make real reductions. – by providing them with specific, easy to implement actions that they can take immediately.
o Providing concise, accurate, convincing information about what global warming will look like if we do not take action.
· To encourage citizen support of stronger government action on climate change.
· To lower the carbon footprint of Vancouver.
· To act as a pilot project for other cities.

Some similar successful programs:
· http://climateculture.com/americas_greenest_campus/
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/and-americas-greenest-campus-is/
Over 20000 people participated in this competition for greenest university in USA
· http://www.bcsea.org/learn/resources-for-educators/climate-change-showdown/past-winners
Competition is within one school - one student or class wins.
· http://www.wattzon.com/ Allows individuals to compare footprints.
· http://tinyurl.com/y9kf99y “Energy use falls when neighbors compete” article mentioned above.

Combine this with 'Carbon Countdown' idea - comprehensive program to reduce carbon emmissions in Vancouver . . .

Points could be given for worm composting on the balconies of apartments, food growing initiatives and safe cleaning solutions (baking soda and vinegar).

Awesome.
Ha - I just now posted a "Greenest Neighboorhood Championship". Same wavelength. Competition is a great way to motivate people and make something fun.

forgot to add - idea here is to expand this way past nice gardens/food production that Brooklyn considers, and broaden to include: energy use
; GHG production; transportation use (foot/bike/transit/car/other), building improvemens, etc. award would create excuse for community spirit and connects neighbours up in the name of sustainability....