Bob Wolf’s Green Train Project started off with a valid cause: to inspire humanity to increase their environmental awareness. But as many other organizations have found, encouraging other people to believe in an effort is not always difficult; it’s inspiring them to take action where things get can get a little tricky.

From the very beginning, Bob’s mission, as the Environmental Dummy (www.theenvironmentaldummy.com), was to educate those around him and on a massive scale about the simple techniques that the everyday Joe Shmoe could use to make a positive impact on the environment. Easy things, like using energy-saving light bulbs and watching how much water we use. Yet, talking one-on-one with individuals did not reach the desired level of change that he wanted.

Then he realized that the quickest way to propel the population is to hold an event or fundraiser in which they can participate. This gives them purpose and raises their awareness of the cause. Once they make your cause personal, then it becomes a word-of-mouth brushfire.

After much thought about how to incite change on national and global scales, Bob founded the Green Train Project, a 30-state, 10-week tour of the United States (and later Europe), that kicks off in April 2010, led through the country on a biodiesel, solar-powered train! He knew he need a large event driven by people with a voice and established followings…who better than musicians with millions of fans?

What we can learn from this example is the power of marrying entertainment and a call to action. Look at your business or organization and determine how you could involve your target audience. How can you make it fun? How can you make it so they talk about it for years to come?

For more info about Bob’s Green Train Project:
www.greentrainglobal.org
Facebook: Green Train
Twitter: GreenTrainPrjct