San Francisco, California - No one likes being told everything they're doing is wrong.  Instead, people want to be encouraged and nurtured when they try something new.  Welcome to the Greeniac Nation (www.greeniacs.com) - a different kind of social network - indeed a club - where a marathon green conversation has begun.  After all, saving the planet is a team sport.

What is a Greeniac?

A Greeniac is someone who is green-curious yet may want to keep the lifestyle they currently enjoy.  Greeniacs are open to making changes to benefit the environment and simply need a friendly, non-judgmental place to start.  Through word of mouth, the Greeniac Nation has grown to 250 founding members in several countries and 25 states across the US.  They are PhDs and MDs from Stanford, Berkeley, Yale and Harvard among others; surgeons, musicians, filmmakers and mothers; organic farmers, philanthropists, business executives, high school and college students, and many other specialists. 

The site launched on July 4, as a symbol of Greeniacs' independence from political pressures and traditional approaches used by environmentalists for the past 40 years.  "People are ready to be part of a global community where they feel connected and can learn from each other," says Greeniac1, the Stanford-educated founder of Greeniacs (who seeks no personal notoriety from Greeniacs.com, preferring to use his Greeniacs I.D. number for communication). "People are hungry for an enjoyable, non-threatening approach like this," Greeniac1 insists.

About the site

A wealth of resources for everything green, the site's distinguishing attribute is its easy going, non-political approach to green.  Though the site is open to the public, only Greeniacs will enjoy a complete online social network including a sophisticated email platform to communicate with anyone (not only Greeniacs members).  The social network provides Greeniacs with a personal blog, access to the customized, exclusive Greeniacs Instant Messenger, and an expansive Greeniac forum for open dialogue so Greeniacs can share tips, ideas and green experiences with one another.  Members of the Greeniac Nation also receive their own Greeniac I.D. number, which they can use instead of their names if absolute privacy and anonymity are desired.

The Costs

Anyone who is interested in the environment may become a Greeniac.  Membership is free for 60 days to eliminate any pressure.  "We only want members who are psyched to be Greeniacs," confides Greeniac1.  After that, a monthly membership fee of $5 will be charged to members' credit or debit cards to fund ongoing administrative costs, and as a means to limit Greeniacs membership to only those who share the Greeniac philosophy. "We have turned down venture capital and advertising to keep our mission pure and compelling as the centerpiece for an unparalleled social model," Greeniac1 explains.  And that's the motivation.  The 20-person team of technology and eco-experts are in it for the long haul, where the reward is an improved planet.  "If we ever did make any money, we'll have additional resources to invest in the environment,"   Greeniac1 adds.  A percent of all net membership fees will be donated to The Nature Conservancy.

Greeniac1 sums it up like this.  "We can overcome the obstacles that have prevented people from going green at a gradual relaxed pace.  By removing the barriers that have sent people running for cover, a friendly tide of positive change can take hold.

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