Eco-Friendly New Year's Resolutions

7 easy ways to go green in 2009 by Thuy Nguyen and Jen O'Neill


With a resounding good riddance to the tumult of 2008, the dawning of 2009 likely included the inevitable long standing tradition of creating New Year’s Resolutions. As the old saying goes “you got to make them to break them.”  Here’s a green take on the list and hopefully you will be able to keep these ones. 

1.    Exercise/Health
We’ve all made the vow to lose those last 10 pounds, year after year.  A great way to cut down on toxic vehicle emissions and lose weight at the same time is by incorporating alternative forms of transportation into your daily routine.  Not only will it help you to scale back on gas expenses, it will also help you trim your waistline.  Dust off that 10 speed bike that you’ve been using to hang-dry your clothes, or lace up those New Balance and hit the streets.

2.    Save energy while saving money
Wake up ya’ll!! If you haven’t heard, we’re in a freakin’ recession.  A simple way to save money while also conserving energy is to unplug your appliances when you’re not using them.  In this age of innumerable gadgets, this might take a minute but we know you can do it.  Your reward for all your hard work will be apparent on your next energy bill.


3.    Go Vegetarian/Meatless one day a week
With the meat industry becoming one of the leading causes of global warming, it definitely pays to cut back on your meat consumption.  In layman’s terms, cattle and farm animals release an insane amount of gaseous fumes into the environment (yeah, you heard right, we’re talking burps and farts kids.)  These fumes are detrimental to the environment.  Less meat eaters= less factory farms= less global warming.


4.    Reduce plastic waste
Two easy things you can do to reduce the plastic in our overcrowded landfills, are to incorporate reusable bags into your shopping excursions and to kick the plastic water bottle habit.  It takes a while for it to become second nature, but if you can remember to Tivo your favorite trashy reality TV shows, then you can remember to roll with your reusable bags.  Some stores even give discounts when you bring your own bag.  Another great thing to invest in is a water filtration system, such as a Brita, as well as a non-toxic, non-leaching SIGG bottle.  Instead of grabbing a water bottle, fill your SIGG with filtered water.  You’ll save money AND your health in the long run.



5.    Organic alcohol
Generally people resolve to cut down or completely cut out drinking when making New Years Resolutions.  Chalk it up to too many walks of shame, flashbacks of praying to the porcelain god or a boatload of all-around bad judgment calls.  While it may not always be realistic to cut out the boozing cold turkey, at least you can reduce your guilt and drink with a clear conscious, by sipping on organic wine. (check out our primer on eco-wines.)  Four Copas Organic Tequila makes for a mean margarita and you can nip that hair of the dog in the bud with a hangover-busting 360 Organic Vodka Bloody Mary.

6.    Volunteer

With all the job cut backs, many of you are finding yourselves with extra time on your hands.  Spend less time updating your Facebook status (we don’t care that you’re on your way to a mani/pedi & wax appt…TMI!!) Get off your butt and do something for your community.  Become a Big Brother/Big Sister, volunteer at a local soup kitchen, or go plant some trees.  Don’t worry, you can send out your MySpace bulletins from your phone.

7.    Cut down on consumerism

The last thing you need is another article of clothing, accessory or electronic device…..you get the picture.  We are cluttering our lives with unnecessary items that will eventually end up tossed away in our landfills.  The first step is to stop buying, followed by donating the stuff you already have to a charitable organization, and finally, making a resolution to cut back on needless purchases.

 


Thuy Nguyen & Jen O'Neill are the authors of the online eco-blog, Green Grown and Sexy.  They blog about all things green with an emphasis on lifestyle, fashion, and culture.  They take a light hearted approach to spreading their eco-conscious message, while maintaining a sense of humor about it.  They have appeared in Urb magazine and offer their green expertise to a variety of online blogs and media sources.  Check them out at www.greengrownandsexy.com.






 
 

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