Across the country, office workers, retirees, college students and professors and pretty much everyone you meet has a renewed commitment to improving our environment. For some people, the effort is as simple as taking reusable bags to the grocery store. For others, the responsibility goes a bit deeper.

The driving force behind Americans’ green practices and attitudes is their strong concern for their children, according to a recent survey by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC). The survey revealed that Americans increasingly feel an obligation to recycle and protect the environment for the sake of future generations.

Whatever the reason, more and more of us are working toward a common goal – taking better care of our planet. Here are a few of the ways we’ve joined together to make our world a better place.

College & Universities Lead the Way
At Arizona State University (ASU) sustainability is a fundamental precept underlying its teaching, learning, research, and business missions. In their annual green honor roll, the Princeton Review saluted ASU along with 10 other colleges who are implementing eco-friendly programs and curriculum and educating innovators to create a more sustainable and peaceful world. ASU’s School of Sustainability is the first of its kind in the U.S. to offers transdisciplinary degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental, economic and social challenges.

At Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, 28 percent of its food budget dedicated to local, natural, and organic purchases to the bicycles and cars they share to reduce pollution, environmental sustainability. In the past year, Bates has opened two new major buildings, a student residence hall and dining commons, both built to LEED-Silver equivalence. Bates also became the first Maine institution to partner with Zipcar, securing two Toyota Priuses for car sharing by students, faculty and staff. Each Zipcar is estimated to reduce the need for 14 cars on campus.

Gray Goes Greening
Not long after he settled into an upscale retirement resort in Austin, Texas, Admiral Brad Mooney, 77, set about forming an Energy Task Force comprised of fellow residents. With formidable energy backgrounds themselves, the task force went to work identifying ways to improve energy efficiency, with the full support of community management at Querencia at Barton Creek.

Soon, a stream of ideas poured out of the gray energy gurus; motion sensors to turn off lights, solar film for windows, and even solar-heated water for the swimming pool. These real world energy-saving ideas cut costs and won accolades from the local power company, a write-up in USA Today and worldwide coverage via Reuters news wire.

Already designed and built to be “green,” these extra steps helped Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin to become