Green Space: Achievable resolutions for 2008

It can be easy to let environmental issues become so overwhelming as to neuter one's good intentions. Don't let that happen. Instead, make baby steps towards a sustainable lifestyle and soon enough, larger steps will be within reach.

The turn of the year is a wonderful time to begin effecting change in your home, your lifestyle and even your place of work. Here are 10 easy steps:

1. Make the change to CFL. Buy a bunch of CFL light bulbs with that Home Depot or Target gift card and, as traditional bulbs burn out, replace them with their energy-efficient counterpart. (Remember to dispose of your mercury-containing CFL responsibly -- check this out for info on that.)


2. Drive less. This one is easy. Combine errands, carpool, bike more. There are so many ways to reduce car trips, it is redunkulous. Once you stop thinking of your car as your only transportation option, your world will expand -- and the amount of cash you spend at the pump will likewise decrease.


3. Reduce home energy usage. Turn down your thermostat and wear sweaters and slippers at home -- if you are hanging out at home in a tee-shirt, your thermostat is set too high! Re-insulate your exterior walls (and get a federal tax credit) and seal up or replace leaky windows. Get the deets here.


4. Ditch your disposable bag and bottle habit. This is the trendiest green movement -- with designer canvas totes and stylish aluminum water bottles becoming a testament to the user's commitment to the environment. These are two trends worth jumping onto. Read more about bags and water bottles.


5. Make the change to all-natural cleaning products. The sheer number of soaps, detergents and cleaning products that have "gone green" is overwhelming -- but it also makes it easier for you to make the transition. Read metromode's guide here.


6. Reduce paper usage. Hitting that "print" button over and over becomes a thoughtless pattern. Break it. Do you really need to print that newsletter or agenda -- that will get passed out at the meeting anyways? Read more ways to break the cycle here.


7. Stop junk mail. Ferndale-based 41pounds.org will get your name off unwanted catalog, charity and advertising lists for five years for a one-time fee of $41.


8. Support investment in alternate energy. DTE Energy launched Green Currents this year, a program in which customers voluntarily add a premium to their utility bill that will be used to invest in renewable energy producers in Michigan. Check out this metromode article to learn more and link to sign up.
   
9. Buy local and organic foods. Think globally and act locally -- especially when it comes to food. Buying produce from a local farmers market helps you get to know the growers that are feeding you and your family. Learn to navigate food labels and, better yet, grow your own food.
   
10. Recycle as much as you can. After you've reduced and reused all that you can, make sure you recycle everything that is humanly possible. Local programs take things like styrofoam, batteries, aseptic, light bulbs, cell phones...lots of things not recyclable in even recent years. Get informed about your community's program and maximize its use. If you work in a small office, consider volunteering to start up and man a program there.

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh