Consider Joining The Movement Towards A Green New Year Resolutions

Are you still trying to figure out what your New Years’ Resolution will be this year?

The time has never been better to consider making green New Years’ Resolutions.

It’s no secret that global climate change is a pressing concern. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and combat global warming, making a commitment to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle is a great way to help make a difference.

There are many causes of global warming - and unfortunately, just one person making their New Years Resolution a green one probably isn’t going to put a huge dent in the rate of global climate change.

However, every little bit counts! Plus, you may find other benefits in these resolutions, too - such as helping you to lose weight, save money, and live a more satisfying, rewarding life.

Let’s dive in! 

Going Green For The New Years

There are all kinds of changes you can make in the New Year - but going green is one of the most selfless decisions you can make.

While it’s selfless, there are also plenty of benefits you’ll likely notice as a result.

Perhaps you want to switch to a plant-based diet. You’ll likely see that you lose a few pounds and have more energy as a result.

Maybe your goal is to ditch the car and take your bike to work as much as possible. Again, you may find that you shed a few pounds and feel much better overall - and perhaps even save a bit of money!

Going green can sound like a huge, overwhelming goal to tackle, especially if you haven’t been very successful in sticking to resolutions in the past.

However, every little bit can make a difference. You don’t have to view going green as one large, overarching goal - nor does it have to be hugely life-changing. Going green doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to set up a yurt in the woods and totally go off-grid.

It could start with something as simple as bringing your own coffee cup to work each day. It’s truly as easy as that!

Are you ready to start living a more ecologically friendly life - both this year and in years moving forward? Here’s more information on how to go green for the new year.

Think About What You Buy and What You Throw Away

Before you buy new items, think carefully about whether you actually need them. Could you repair something that you already have on hand?

We live in a culture that’s guided by our whims as consumers - yet there’s often no need to give in to this whims. Rather than clicking “buy now,” take a moment to consider. You might even start yourself off by simply initiating a process of “buy later.” If you feel compelled to buy something, put it in your cart, and wait.

Or, if you find that you buy too much on your daily grocery shopping trip, see if you can pare it down to once a week - or even better, once a month. By writing your list of items you need to buy down and waiting to shop, you’ll likely find that you don’t actually need what you’re buying.

From the manufacturing to the distribution of new goods, there’s a lot of waste that goes into the process - and every item you buy, big or small, has a huge impact on your carbon footprint. You can reduce that carbon footprint by reducing how much you buy and throw away.

Another great tip for the shopaholics among us - buy second-hand! Going to thrift stores or yard sales to buy what you need is not only fun, but it’s a great way to find gently loved items at reasonable prices.

When possible, repair instead of replace. Did you know that cobblers are virtually nonexistent these days? That’s because so many people would rather buy a new pair of shoes than get the ones they have fixed. Unfortunately, it’s also more affordable to do this, too - but it’s not the most beneficial for the planet.

When you do have to get rid of something, be smart about it. If it’s still in decent shape, can you give it to someone else who will use it? Can you donate it to a thrift store? Recycle as much as possible.

Buy Local Produced Foods Instead of Pre-Packaged Foods

Far too often, we feed ourselves without putting a second thought into what goes into the food we are consuming.

Your food needs to be healthy for you as well as for the planet. Can you minimize your meat consumption - or even better, choose meat that’s pasture-raised and sustainably harvested? Can you avoid packaged food and buy organic whenever possible?

Buying locally is one of the best things you can do to help save the planet. When you buy locally, you cut out a huge part of the supply chain - the food doesn't need to be put on a truck or plane and shipped across the country to you.

Plus, you’ll be supporting your local economy - being able to keep your money local is a great feeling, for sure.

You may want to put some thought into how you are preparing those foods, too. So many people rely on prepackaged, pre-made meals to get them through the week. We get it - it’s way more convenient to pick up a frozen meal and stick it in the oven.

However, it’s not the best for the planet. Nor is it best for your wallet, since these foods often cost way more, per ounce, than the equivalent fresh foods would. As you can imagine, it's not great for our health, either.

Processed and packaged convenience foods waste so much energy, oil, water, and trees. Instead, cook from scratch and plan out your meals.

By planning out your meals for the upcoming week, say, on the weekend, you will not only save the planet by not having to rely on packaged foods, but you’ll also save yourself a ton of money. Better for that diet you’re trying to stick to, too!

Avoid Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are, truthfully, a bane to our existence. Not only are they horrible for the environment, but they’re not great for our health, either.

That said, we still need to drink water. About a million plastic water bottles are purchased every minute around the world. Most end up in the ocean or in the landfills - but you still need to stay hydrated so what should you do?

It’s simple. Bring a reusable, multi-use water that you can take with you and refill as needed. Choose a glass or stainless steel one for the most eco-friendly choice.

At home, drink tap water whenever possible. If you aren’t a huge fan of the taste or if the water isn’t safe to drink where you live, invest in a water filter. It will not only save the planet from plastic waste but can also save you money.

Let’s not forget how bad plastic is for our health, either. The chemicals found in plastic have been linked to all kinds of problems, including reproductive issues and various cancers.

Bring Your Own Shopping Bags

Many states, including New York, have now banned the distribution of single-use plastic bags.

That’s for good reason, too. Just like plastic bottles, plastic bags end up in the landfill and the ocean. They cause the same issues - and more than two million plastic shopping bags are used every single minute.

Most supermarket chains now sell cloth or other reusable bags to their customers - did you know that you can get a durable reusable bag at TJ Maxx and other retailers for just a few dollars?

Cut back on plastic bags. Bring your own - and know that in many places, you’ll be charged a surcharge for every plastic bag you take home. Therefore, you might save money on your shopping trip in the meantime!

Walk or Bike instead of Driving

It’s true that public transportation isn’t available everywhere - and that in rural areas, walking or biking everywhere you need to go might not make sense. There’s a good chance you have a 20-mile commute or more each day!

However, whenever it is possible, consider walking or biking instead of taking your car. You don’t have to totally take your car off the road in order to make an environmental impact - you just need to drive less often.

Even if that just means walking to the corner store down the road to pick up a gallon of milk instead of driving your car, that’s a dent you’re putting in overall carbon emissions!

Not only that, but walking and biking everywhere instead of driving is a great way to help you stay on top of that New Year’s fitness resolution, too.

Switch To Renewable Energy

You may also want to take a look at your home when it comes to your overall carbon footprint and your resolution to go green.

Like we said earlier, you don’t have to go off-grid and shun all the modern conveniences of life in order to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

You just need to rethink the areas of your home that are less efficient than others - and find ways to overhaul them.

If you need to replace your appliances, choose those that are Energy Star rated to maximize our efficiency. Swap out your incandescent light bulbs for LEDs and put timers on lights to avoid unnecessary use. You can even invest in a smart power strip that does all the hard work and remembering for you!

When building a new house, choose windows, doors, and appliances that are energy-star rated and make sure the insulation is up to snuff. You can upgrade the insulation in an existing home to make sure you’re maximizing your heating and cooling efficiency, too.

Consider setting your thermostat a few degrees warmer in the summer and a few degrees cooler in the winter. This will help you reduce the reliance on your HVAC system and save you some money in the meantime.

Not only that, but keeping your home’s ambient temperature a bit closer to the natural one outdoors has health benefits, too. Some studies suggest that you not only sleep better but also have a higher-functioning immune system when you keep your home a bit cooler.

You can even upgrade your laundry system. Consider line-drying your clothes and washing your laundry on the cold setting whenever possible.

Last but not least, is renewable energy a realistic option for you? A vast majority of the energy produced in the United States is made in facilities like coal plants. These contribute a ton of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Wind and solar both offer an eco-friendly, zero-emission alternative to traditional electricity and power systems.

Not sure where your energy comes from/ You can find this by contacting your utility companies. You can also invest in an energy plan that has a Renewable Energy Credit. Renewable Energy Credits help make sure the electricity you use is offset by an equal amount of electricity from renewable sources.

By signing up for this plan, you can make sure you’re doing your part to go emissions-free. This is one of the easiest things to do on this list when it comes to switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle. All you have to do is sign up with an electric supplier that offers RECs - and everything else is done for you for the entire life of the plan.

Do The Right Thing And Work On A Green New Year’s Resolution

Are you ready to go green this New Year?

There’s a lot you can do to start living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. It’s important that you try not to get overwhelmed with all the potential changes you might make.

Every little step you can take - from choosing organic vegetables whenever possible to riding your bike to work - will make a difference. Start combating global climate change with your New Year’s Resolution.

Hey, at the very least, it’s got to be better than making no resolution at all, right?

Rebekah Pierce is a professional social blogger and has worked on several online publications including Citrus Sleep. Rebekah is an experienced content writer and copyeditor. You will find many of her works throughout CitrusSleep.com that cover a wide array of subjects including sleep education, natural, sleep products, electronics, fashion and many more. She is passionate about her work and family.

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