A Greener Year

We all think the word “resolution” at this time of year.  Some of us actually say the word and make them; others don’t bother since we never seem to get past January before we have giving up on them.  You know the ones…”I will lose 20 pounds in 6 months” (Noble, doable, but is it really going to happen?!); “I will make more money this year” (Again, noble goal, but not specific enough so this one falls through the cracks…) and so on and so on.  You know the routine.  New Year’s comes around and sometimes you think it may be easier to just change the date on last year’s list that you never got to.

But I have a new resolution challenge for you to consider this year.

Let this year be the year you become just a little more green - the eco-friendly kind of green that is.

The first thing you need with any goal or resolution to make it stick is a really good reason why you want to succeed.  Well, is the fate of future generations a good enough reason for you?  Do you have children?  If not, maybe nieces and nephews who may have children of their own some day and so on and so on? If doing it just for you and your current environment isn’t a good enough reason, then do it for them.

Every little change you make really does make a difference.

You may have seen the recent Cheerios commercials stating that the original brand Cheerios are going GMO free.  Why? Because enough consumers have demanded it.  One person starts the process of change then another and another and before you know it a major company like General Mills is changing what they do to make their customers happy.

You do have the power to effect change – even if you can’t really see it.  You might not be able to see how changing to an environmentally safe laundry detergent can help save the oceans fragile ecosystem.  Or you may not be able to see how you can help reduce the amount of waste piling up in the oceans by bringing a reusable coffee mug to work.  (www.nrdc.org/oceans/plastic-ocean/) But you really can make a difference.

My resolution challenge to you is to implement one eco-friendly change each month.  Before you know it, you will have made 12 lifelong changes that have helped to positively impact not only your environment but the environment for future generations.

Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Start using reusable cups for water, coffee etc.

2. Next time you purchase laundry detergent, purchase an environmentally friendly one.

3. Next time you purchase paper for your printer, consider purchasing paper with recycled content.

4. Purchase LED bulbs the next time a bulb goes out. (www.nhsaves.com)

5. Install a water saver shower head.

These are just a few really simple ideas to get you started.  There are literally thousands of simple things you can do.  Just do something.  By the end of this year, if everyone did at least one new thing each month, we would be making a bigger impact than you know. 

Happy New Year!