by T J Neale

Created on: January 18, 2008

This year things will be different. You will no longer sit on the bench. You want to go green, but how can you help?

Here are 12 easy to implement resolutions, one a month, which should get you going as an eco-warrior!

JANUARY
"I will replace my light bulbs with energy efficient ones"

These use up to 80 percent of the electricity of normal light bulbs and now come in all shapes and sizes. They are often a little dimmer when first switched on, but this passes after a few minutes. They last longer than conventional light-bulbs as well. Available just about everywhere, some environmental organizations give them away free.

Low hanging fruit in the energy conservation battle.

FEBRUARY
"I do not need to live in a sauna"

In winter, do you really need to walk anywhere in the house in shorts and T-shirt. Turning your thermostat down a few degrees can make a lot of difference to your fuel bills and your carbon footprint.

MARCH
"Stand by - bad, switched off at the wall good"
The average household has up to 12 gadgets left on standby or charging at any one time. Save money and the Earth by always switching off and unplugging. It is also safer.

APRIL
"I will recycle"
Recycle glass, cans and paper. If your local authority does not have a recycle stations then campaign for ones to be set up. Once a whole community is recycling, economies of scale kick in and you will be saving on your taxes twice once from profits from recycling, once from not paying for landfill.

MAY
"I will not be a water guzzler"
A few easy things to reduce you consumption of water
Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth
Shower not bath
Collect rain water in a butt for watering the garden
Fix leaky taps
Wash only full loads of laundry

JUNE
"I will cycle, walk, bus or if all else fails pool"
Possibly a hearsay to some, but it is a fact that there are ways of travelling to work other than by automobile. Exercise is good for you no really. If all else fails, join a car pool.

JULY
"No flying on vacation this year"
Save money, reduce your carbon emissions, boost the local economy, spend more time actually relaxing and learn some local history. It is a multi-win decision

AUGUST
"I will recycle books, DVD's and other unwanted home goods"

Do not throw these things away. Take them to the local charity shop, or sell them on ebay. If it still works, it is not rubbish

SEPTEMBER
"I will cut down my bags"
Do you really need all those disposable bags from the supermarket? See http://www.reusablebags.com/

OCTOBER
"I will support local farmers"
Make long supply chains, and associated fuel costs obsolete by shopping locally for locally produced products.

If you are in the UK you can try one of the many farmers' markets. http://www.farmersmarkets.net/ for a wide range of freshly produced local products. It may be my imagination, but I swear it tastes better as well.

NOVEMBER
"I will compost"
Recycle food scraps and garden waste to make compost for your own our your friends garden. (Nothing quite shows friendship that the gift of partially decomposed leftovers)

Loads of web sites to give you tips on this, here is a place to start http://www.compostguide.com/

DECEMBER
"I will give eco-friendly gifts this season"
Many environmental organizations offer eco-friendly goods that can be sent as gifts. In 2007 Oxfam UK http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/ allowed you to send the gift of a goat, 100 school dinners or tools for farming on behalf of someone else.

Then the next year, 12 more!

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