This thesis paper examines and describes how individuals can be empowered to go from short-term thinking to long-term behavioral change in the area of sustainability. An overview is provided of sustainability initiatives and community outreach programs using the Atlanta, Georgia area as one of the primary example regions. Included in this work is research about the psychology of sustainable behavior and tips for empowering individuals at the grassroots level to make long-term, community-level change and what roles social norms play in influencing behavior change. Relevant case studies and personal interviews with individuals who have launched impactful sustainability projects as well as lessons learned and personal observations are listed. This thesis paper also proposes a concept and framework for a pilot sustainability event, developed from tips and lessons learned from this research and case studies, to demonstrate that effective, individual sustainability efforts can empower people to take specific short-term, individual actions that collectively drive long-term, behavioral changes. The intention is that this event framework will be modified and used for a variety of future sustainability events and programs.