If you’re like most people, your New Year’s resolutions usually have something to do with self-image, family, health, or wealth. Starting now, I’ll take pride in my own body, I’ll exercise more regularly, eat wisely, spend more time with my family, save, save, save. And various other vows of self-improvement.
New year, New growth. (Image from Windows)
That’s all fine and good. But what about the planet? Yes, our planet. Or more specifically, our relationship with the planet and the many ecosystems that make it up—water, air, earth, plants, animals, even insects.
Amid these busy, hectic times, rare is the person who can broaden the scope of his/her New Year’s resolutions to include Mother Nature. You might be saying I’ve already got lots of problems as it is, I can’t even keep my own resolutions beyond a week, how much more something as big and demanding as the environment?
The thing is, you don’t have to be an environmentalist or a treehugger to make your New Year resolutions a little greener. All you have to do is rephrase some of your New Year’s Resolutions to give them an eco-friendly angle. Let’s green them up!
Instead of simply Get More Exercise:
Walk, Bike, or Commute, Leave the Car at Home
Walk, Bike, or Commute, Leave the Car at Home
- Why it’s good for the environment: We’ve become over-dependent on fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel, which poison the air when they combust. There are cleaner ways to get around—such as walking, biking, or taking public transportation. We spare the planet from all that toxic fumes and at the same time get fit too!
Instead of simply Watch my diet:
Eat healthier options, Eat less meat, Try lacto-fermented veggies, Shun processed foods, Buy local, Don’t waste food, Don’t buy bottled water as much as possible
Eat healthier options, Eat less meat, Try lacto-fermented veggies, Shun processed foods, Buy local, Don’t waste food, Don’t buy bottled water as much as possible
- Why it’s good for the environment: Our habitual meat consumption takes a large toll on the planet. Beef production requires massive resources such as land, water, crops (that could have fed people instead), and, of course energy. Fruits and veggies, on the other hand, aren’t as carbon-intensive. And when we say no to processed foods, not only are we doing our health a great favor, we’re also saying no to all that wasteful plastic packaging.
Instead of simply Save more money:
Buy less stuff from now on, Avoid compulsive buying, Buy second-hand or at thrift stores when possible, Recycle and repurpose my stuff, Downsize my needs.
- Why it’s good for the environment: When we buy less new stuff, we send a strong message to shop owners and eventually the manufacturers that there’s no demand for their pointless and wasteful products. Remember every product on the shelves takes energy to be created and shipped.
So put your money on sustainable brands, or buy at thrift stores instead, or better yet, don’t buy at all. The pretty ending? You save money for more important purchases.
Instead of simply Get organized:
Declutter my home, Donate old stuff, Buy less stuff from now on
- Why it’s good for the environment: Things that we no longer need don’t have to end up in a landfill. For sure someone else has a use for it, or can appreciate it. So make sure you’re organized for the right reasons and in the right way.
Instead of simply Live a Greener Lifestyle: Grow a garden, Start a compost, Choose toxic-free beauty and cleaning products, Choose reusable over disposable, Bring my own shopping bag, Donate to an environmental organization
- Why it’s good for the environment: You’re probably asking, I’m just one person, how can I make a world of difference, why bother at all? If all of us thought that way, no good action would take place. But if we went right ahead with our good intentions for the planet, no matter how small, they’ll add up eventually to a greater whole. For many people, living a greener lifestyle is just lip service. What is does living green entail anyway? That’s why we have to be specific about the changes we’re willing to do: be it bringing a reusable bag when shopping, or a reusable mug at the coffeehouse.There are a thousand other ways to live a greener lifestyle. Don’t be limited by these few examples. You don’t have to become a true-blue treehugger overnight, you can simply make one small change as you go along and see how it fits in your lifestyle. For sure you have a college friend or a favorite aunt who’s been living the eco-friendly lifestyle for so long—ask advise from them. We bet they’ll be more than happy to help you.
So there you have it. New Year’s resolutions with a green twist. It’s time we work on not just ourselves, but our relationship with the planet too!
