Green Your Resolutions

  

As 2010 slides into 2011, skip the expected resolutions yes, you can still work on your novel, quit smoking, and hit the gym more often and focus on something bigger. There has never been a more important time to focus on the planet’s well-being. Global warming and climate change are directly affected by the choices you make each day. The good news? Going green has never been easier Eco-awareness doesn’t require great sacrifice or compromise. A few simple steps will allow you to respect the earth while living a comfortable, happy life. This is the year to begin!

Go Back to the Tap 

According to IBM,  100 percent of the plastic water bottles used in the Maldives end up as garbage or litter. And that’s just the beginning of bottled water’s negative environmental impact. The Earth Policy Institute found that the manufacturing of plastic bottles uses over 17 million barrels of crude oil annually and the transportation of bottled water requires massive amounts of fossil fuel. The EPA regulates the safety of tap water, so invest in a good filter (to rid your H20 of any pipe sediment), get a portable, reusable bottle and drink away. 

Update Your Wardrobe the Right Way 

Everyone loves new clothes, but this year it’s time to redefine the concept of “new.” Vintage and thrift stores can be found across the country, and they offer previously owned clothing another chance in the spotlight. And it’s fun to hunt for treasures! If you insist on new, invest in quality clothing made in a responsible manner and seek out earth-friendly materials such as organic cotton (some 55 million pounds of pesticides are sprayed on 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton, the Organic Trade Association has found), hemp, and bamboo.

Be an Energy Star

In the market for a new dishwasher, refrigerator or washer/dryer? Look for the Energy Star brand while shopping. Energy Star-certified appliances meet strict energy efficiency guidelines, which result in less greenhouse gas emissions and a lower energy bill an eco win-win. You can also conserve energy at home by trading in your regular incandescent light bulbs for long-lasting CFLs and unplugging your electronic devices when not in use they still use energy even when turned off or in stand-by mode. An easy solution is to plug your gear into a power strip with an on-off button and click off when not in use. 

Ditch Plastic Bags for Good

The statistics are staggering: we have no statistical data on how much bags are imported to this country in each year, but look around and u'll see plastic bags more than anything. plastic bags, sacks, and wraps are consumed in each year . The solution is easy: go reusable. Stash a couple of reusable bags by the front door, in the glove compartment or under the baby’s stroller and they’ll be there when you need them.

Rethink Transportation 

Though it’s best for the planet, many of us are not in a position to give up our cycle and cars. What we can do, however, is trade in our gas-guzzling model for a hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicle, minimize the time that we spend behind the wheel, it not only helps environment but your health too. This is just a small town where we can walk on our legs, whats so hard?

Tap into Human Power

Whenever possible, skip the cycle or car and use your legs to get where you need to go. Biking has never been cooler or easier. And when not on two-wheels, slip on your walking shoes and harness foot power.

Reuse and Recycle 

We often seek out new things, clothes, toys, furniture, and so on because we’ve grown tired of what we already have. But what happens to that easy chair or chest of drawers when we place them on the curb for pickup? The sad truth is that they end up cluttering our already overflowing landfills when they could be making somebody else happy.

More Earth-Saving Features 
 I know its difficult to get away with old habits, but why cant we just try and come up with a new way, which is safe n better, which will help us all to create a better future.