New Years’ Resolutions for a Healthier Planet

TCI and Cleaner Air for Schools offers some food for thought when it comes to your new years’ resolutions and how to make them achievable, measureable and connected to what we are passionate, about our planet. With recent weather changes it is even more evident that Mother Earth needs our support more than ever so let’s work together and make change.

You’ll feel better for doing it and our planet will be happier as well.

Here are the top five resolutions we have seen as stated by www.earthshare.com:

1. Exercising more / Improving my fitness

2. Losing weight

3. Saving money

4. Improving my diet

5. Pursuing a career ambition

But how might these translate to environmental action?

Turning Resolutions into Environmental Action

#1. FITNESS

Improving fitness is all about health, and to stay healthy, we all depend on healthy ecosystems. These, unfortunately, are frequently under attack from things like pollution, invasive species, and deforestation. Consider what actions you could take to help protect and restore the biodiversity of plants and animals where you live. That could be anything from volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center to planting native plant species in your yard to donating to not for profits that restore habitats and protect endangered species.

#2. LOSING WEIGHT

While losing weight is a popular resolution, consider how you might pair this with lowering your carbon footprint. Start by measuring your carbon footprint, so you can measure progress. From there, you can make daily changes involving food (less red meat is good for the planet and for weight loss), transportation, energy use, and more. You’ll find that you can drop carbon from your life, and you don’t even need to hit the gym.

#3. SAVING MONEY

Money is always a big goal for people in the new year, whether it’s saving more, making more, or simply doing more. Reducing energy at home or at the office has a financial benefit not only for your wallet it can reduce carbon as well. Look for energy and carbon saving measures for your organization like duct sealing.

#4. IMPROVING DIET

Doesn’t everyone want to eat healthier? In our opinion, it’s not just about counting calories, it’s about thinking about where your food comes from. Can you convert 10% of your diet to local foods, shrinking your carbon footprint? Try and support local farmers that are conserving land and mitigating sprawl? Buy organic or even regenerative agricultural products? Set a goal for how much of your diet can be comprised of more environmentally friendly foods and ramp up that goal over the course of the year.

#5. CAREER AMBITIONS

Where do you want your career to go? It’s a big and complicated question, especially for those looking to put more purpose in their lives. While setting big goals like getting a promotion or switching careers can be tough, in the meantime, the simple act of volunteering can go a long way and can instill a sense of meaning in your life. Studies show that people who volunteer are happier overall. Consider donating an hour or two of your time monthly or quarterly. Sustainable Not for profits—and the planet—will greatly appreciate your effort.