Make a New Year's Resolution to do "Just...

The things we do "just a little bit" of will eventually add up, and we all know it.  Whether it's eating "just a little bit" more over the holidays, spending "just a little bit" extra on those shopping sprees, or partying "just a little bit" longer on work nights, eventually you're going to feel the effects.   Since we all know this "little bit" of wisdom let's turn it into something positive for the planet in the New Year!  

Making small changes in our everyday lives can really help change the future of the planet, so I've compiled a list of "little bit" resolutions that anyone can accomplish.  Whether you choose just one, or all of them, the little bit you do will make a difference.

1.  Go back to the basics- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  The 3 R's have been around since I was a little girl, but they're still around because what they stand for is powerful.  Sticking to the 3 R's keeps our landfils from filling up and keeps production of unnessecary disposables to a minimum.   Minimizing waste means less carbon emissions and cleaner air for everyone. 

• Reduce the amout of stuff you throw away...do you really need to use those paper plates?

• Reuse anything you can and try to fix something before you throw it away.
• Recycle your recyclables.  Check out earth911.org for help finding a recycling drop off center for just about anything with a symbol.

 
2.  Conserve energy.  These are so simple to do and this is where every little bit can add up the most.  Most of the energy in the United States comes from coal burning power plants who produce tons upon tons of CO2 emissions each month.  The more energy we conserve the less CO2 goes into the atmosphere.  These little bits are great for our wallets as well, saving energy also saves us money...which we can use to travel green!

• Turn off the lights and electronics when you leave a room.  This one is simple, effective and no matter what your shade of green, you can do this one.

• Swap a standard lightbulb for a compact flourescent bulb.  If every home in America swapped just one regular light bulb for a CFB, it would save enough energy to light over 3 million homes for a year!  It would prevent the emissions of greenhouse gasses equivalent to what over 800,000 cars would produce, AND it would save over $600 MILLION a year in energy costs.  You'll get extra green points for swapping 2 or more.

• Keep your heat at 70 degrees or lower in the winter and your air conditioner at 78 degrees or higher in the summer.  Also, turn it off if you will be gone for an extended period of time.

• Do your laundry in cold water.  Water heaters use a LOT of energy that you'll conserve AND your clothes will actually last longer!  

• Consider using a clothesline instead of an electric dryer to dry your clotes.  Again you'll save energy and your clothes will last longer.  

• If you're buying a new appliance, look for the Energy Star seal.  They may cost a little bit more up front but you'll really save in the long run.

• Unplug electronics and chargers when they are not in use.  These things will continually suck power even if they are off or if nothing is attached.  This is especially true for cell phone and battery chargers.

3.  Change your shopping and buying habits.  

• Buying locally has an impact on the environment and the community you live in.  You'll help the earth by reducing carbon emissions that result from the transportation of the goods to the large chains.  Supporting local businesses as opposed to large chains also keeps cash flow local and will help your neighborhood prosper.  

• Bring your own bags!!!!  I can't stress enough how important this one is.  The number of plastic grocery bags that are used on even a single shopping trip can be outrageous.  Just think about the number of bags you get at the grocery store on one shopping trip, multiply that by the number of shopping trips you take each year, and then remember how many people live in the United States who go shopping each week.  What's even more outrageous is that unfortunately most of those bags end up right in the landfill, and plastic in a landfill will probably NEVER decompose.  Re-usable bags are now available for purchase at most grocery stores and will help the planet enormously.  You can buy Green Bags brand bags for around a dollar a piece at Publix or you can order them online at http://www.greenbag.info/.  If you are seriously strapped for cash, just bring the same plastic bags the grocery store gave you on your last shopping trip and reuse, reuse, reuse them until they fall apart!

• Use old shopping bags again - garbage can liners - wet swimsuits- dirty laundry - the possibilities are endless.

• Don't buy unnecessary disposables, and buy recycled whenever you can.  Paper plates are not always necessary, if you must have them consider buying paper plates made from recycled paper.  Recycled paper products are readily available from plates and cups, to paper towels and toilet paper.
   
• Take a vacation that will have a positive impact on the planet.  People don't realize how much CO2 the travel industry can emit each year, and it is a LOT.  There are over billion people traveling the world annualy, so you can probably imagine how much gasoline is burned and how much electricity is used.  Help be a part of the solution by booking with us.  When you book your trip through our Green Travel Hub, we donate 20% of our revenue to an environmental group (chosen by you), that way every trip can make a difference.  We also offer bookings with green hotels, hybrid rental cars, carbon offsetting programs, and more.  With us, all your travel is green.

Although I could probably spend all day thinking about "little bits" that we can all do to help the planet in 2008, thinking is really all you need to do to have a greener New Year.  Helping the planet really comes down to thinking about the impact of your daily actions, your"just a little bits."  Do you leave the water on when you brush your teeth?  Turn it off.  Do you drive to get somewhere that's less than a half a mile away for lunch?  Consider walking.  Do you go through 7 plastic water bottles a week?  Save them and refill them at home (you can even buy very inexpensive water filters for your sink).  Whether you're an extreme greenie or just beginning to explore the world of green, let's all make a New Years resolution to THINK "just a little bit" more in 2008.

What will you be doing to Go Green in 2008?  Lets share ideas!

SeeYa @ The Hub,
Melissa