With the beginning of a new year upon us, we look forward and make our ceremonious New Years resolutions. Im sure that a lot of you will pledge to start exercising more, or maybe finally write that great American novel. Maybe you will resolve to clean out the garage, to spend more time with your family and friends, to stop smoking, to eat healthier, to lose weight.: all fantastic options.
Perhaps this year, with our struggling economy and with so many environmental challenges facing us, (global warming, air and water pollution, water shortages, overpopulation, depletion of natural resources, and the list goes on) you might consider adding a green resolution to your list: one that will help to save you money while helping to save the planet.
Below is a list of easy, attainable changes that you could make without major effort. By altering habits and making some slight changes in the way we live, we can all easily contribute towards the solutions that are so necessary. And because these suggestions are so easy to do, it may be the first New Years resolution that you have ever been able to keep!
SOME SUGGESTED GREEN RESOLUTIONS:
→ ALWAYS RECYCLE! Not only does recycling keep waste out of our already overflowing landfills and helps to conserve our natural resources, it also takes less energy to collect and reconstitute recyclable material than it does to mine and produce new raw materials.
→ Change your bulbs. One of the easiest and least expensive changes that you can make is changing your household light bulbs from traditional incandescent to CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights.) CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. And, less energy used equals lower power bills!
→ Wait to do laundry until you have a full load, and then wash using the cold water cycle. A washer takes between 30 to 60 gallons of water per load. You will save energy and water, and even more money!
→ Install low-flush toilets or place a plastic bottle filled with stones in your existing toilet tank. Both will reduce the volume of water stored in the tank and used per flush, but will still be adequate for flushing.
→ Keep your vehicle tuned up, check that your tires are properly inflated and replace your air filter. These minor changes can improve your gas mileage by up to 4%, 10% and 3% respectively.
→ Shop for fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market. By supporting your local growers, you can have a positive impact in many ways. You are keeping your dollars within your own community to help the local economy. Many fruits and vegetables at farmers markets are grown sustainably and/or organically, keeping pesticides and other chemicals out of the soil, air and water supply. The energy used to transport your produce is much lower than produce shipped across the world. And the best part is the taste: absolutely amazing! Most fruits and vegetables available at a farmers market are picked fresh, many times just hours before you purchase it. Also, its a great way to interact with your friends and neighbors.
→ Purchase carbon offsets from organizations that invest in clean energy projects. Did you know that PG&E customers can zero out the carbon emissions that their power and natural gas usage creates for just a few more dollars added to your bill each month? Visit PG&Es ClimateSmart program at www.wecandothis.com for more info.
So, what exactly is a green gift? It is a gift that is created, transported, wrapped and given with minimal environmental impact. You can even green it up a little more by purchasing from environmentally conscious companies and organizations. Tickets to a concert, ballet, opera, football game, museum, or many other options make a fantastic green gift. And it can take as little as an envelope to wrap. Homemade gifts are another great option and very personal. My grandma, Rosella, sends me cookies from Washington State from time to time and there is no gift that I enjoy more. With every bite I think of how they were made with love and affection for me. Gift certificates can actually be very thoughtful gifts too if they are chosen well. For instance, a gift certificate for yoga classes for a friend that has wanted to try it out would be a great gift and motivation at the same time.
A great way to find quality organic food is to visit your local farmers market. Most communities now have farmers markets. There is a great one right here at the campus of College of San Mateo every Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00AM to 1:00PM, and I like to make it an event whenever I have a chance to go. I can often be found on my lunch break on Wednesdays, with my canvas bag in tow of course, strolling through the many booths, smelling and sampling the variety of luscious, freshly-picked veggies and fruits. Also, farmers markets vendors sell much more than fruits and vegetables. Bread, nuts, spices, flowers, and even some prepared foods are among the many offerings. You can even enjoy a delicious meal while you shop.
-Change your vehicles air filter. Changing a dirty air filter can increase your fuel efficiency by up to ten percent.
Most people are unaware of the dangers of improperly disposing of these bulbs once they finally do burn out. It is absolutely imperative that old CFLs are properly disposed of and recycled.