New Year' s Resolutions - Help Yourself and the Planet

New Year’s Resolutions: Help Yourself and the Planet

As you reflect on the year that’s about to end, are you finding yourself making the same resolutions as last year – lose weight, get organized, learn something new? This year don’t just resolve to do something better for yourself, but for the planet as well.


Get fit – by ditching the car Driving gives you freedom, but it doesn’t do any favors for the environment or your waistline. Once a week try cycling or walking to work. Or take public transportation. The walk to the bus or train stop will help you get fit plus the time on the way to work can be spent learning something new by studying a language, catching up on the news or reading a book. Eat healthy – go vegetarian, organic and local Every step of getting your food from farm to fork uses energy - from fertilizer production and animal feed to transportation and packaging. Eating vegetarian, organic and local foods can reduce this. Vegetarian: Did you know that it takes 33% more fossil fuel energy to produce a calorie of beef than it does to produce a calorie of potatoes? Or that 14% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from raising cattle – more than industry or transportation? If you can’t live without meat, try having a couple meat-free meals a week. Organic: Pesticide-free organic food is not only better for you, it also protects the environment from exposure to nasty chemicals. Organic crops also use 30% less fossil fuels than conventionally grown as well as less water. Local: Buying local products not only supports your local farmers and economy, it also makes more sense than buying food shipped halfway around the world. Local products also have more nutrients since they are fresher and can stay on the plant longer to ripen. Simplify your life – reduce, reuse, recycle Is your life full of clutter and chaos? Follow these 3 R’s to take back control of your life and help the planet and others at the same time: Reduce: How many things do you buy on a whim, use maybe once, then toss in the back of a cupboard? Reduce the amount of stuff in your life by only buying things you really need and buying things in bulk that use less packaging. Reuse: Buy things that can be used over and over again, such as a refillable water bottle, a nice shopping bag or rechargeable batteries. Things you use once and throw away add to ever-increasing landfills and may take centuries to decompose. Recycle: Why not recycle clothes you’re no longer using by giving them to charity? If you haven’t worn something in the past year, chances are you don’t need it anymore. Brighten somebody else’s day that does. Save money – by turning off appliances We tend to take electricity for granted. But with a few simple steps you can use less fossil fuel and cut down on your electric bill. Lights out: Not only should you switch to more energy-efficient bulbs, but actually use those bulbs only when you need them. Your mother probably told you a thousand times - turn off the lights when you leave the room. Phantom electricity: Up to 75% of electricity used in your home comes from electronics that are ‘turned off’. Computers on standby, chargers that are plugged in but not charging anything and equipment that has a clock/timer are all adding to your electric bill. Plug them into a power strip with a switch and turn the whole thing off when not in use. Couch potato: If you find yourself tuning out in front of the TV, turn it off and pick up a book or go for a walk instead. Energy stars: Every year appliances get more energy efficient. If your refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to a newer, more efficient one. Chill out: Heating and cooling your home can account to up to 50% of your energy bill. Reduce costs by keep your thermostat at 21°C (70°F) in winter, 25°C (78°F) in summer. Take a trip – by train There’s something magical about train travel that makes the journey just as important as the destination. But did you know that trains are much more environmentally friendly than planes? Planes produce 19 times more greenhouse gas emissions than trains. Plus you get more legroom, better scenery and don’t have to mess with long security lines! Rethink your travel plans and plan to go by rail next time. Make your resolutions stick this year by making a plan and making them part of change in your lifestyle – not just something to try out for a couple weeks. Making resolutions that help the planet as well as yourself are one of the best motivators to get you started and keep going.