Amory Lovins, Founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute
"It's a journey towards living more lightly on the planet. Using energy and resources in a way that saves money...the Energy Smackdown is a good way to help you do that."
Amy Panek, Kendall Foundation
"We view our support for the Energy Smackdown as an investment in an innovative effort to engage citizens in carbon reductions. Unlike many of the dour climate change calls for significant self-sacrifice, this project emphasizes fun and friendly competition while appealing to the imagination. Also, the Smackdown serves as a valuable complement and ally to ongoing community efforts, such as the Cambridge Energy Alliance, Sustainable Arlington and the Medford Environmental Alliance."
Steve Lanou, Season One
"So much of getting people to change is not necessarily having the best idea but to try and get people to actually move on things that they can do in their own homes. So often we know what the things are that we can do but you just need a little bit more sort of initiative and oomf to do it. So the Smackdown’s obviously one way to actually challenge us to do something."
Laural Kayne, Season Two
"What I love about the Travel Challenge is that they didn't hand it to us -- it reflects the real-world challenges of commuting or traveling in a city by bike, especially if you have children in tow. I wish city planners would attempt this sort of thing; we would probably have a lot more bike paths connecting our cities and towns, and cleaner air and healthier citizens as a result. What's not to like?"
Rob Garrity, Massachusetts Climate Action Network
"We at MCAN focus on the real, day to day steps people can take to decrease their carbon footprints. A huge part of that is reducing energy use, and the Smackdown demystifies living a more energy efficient life. I love seeing real people making changes anyone can make, with the result of making a difference for our planet. We are thrilled to be a part of the Smackdown and helping them turn people on to an energy saving lifestyle."
Sarah Cluggish, Season One
"People asked 'Aren't you relieved the competition's over...But it didn't feel like a burden. We're paying 25 percent less for electricity, and I don't mind that my kitchen isn't overflowing with plastic bags now that I take tote bags to the grocery store."
Alex Pancic, Season Two
"We have been conditioned to think that going "green" is a sacrifice. When I see my neighbor spending three times as much of his salary on his gas, heat, and electric bills it makes you re-think who is really sacrificing."