Every year, we make promises to ourselves: do more, drink less, make changes. Resolutions, both big and small, bubble up to be top of mind thanks to the holidays and the start of a new year.
So for 2011 I’m sharing my resolutions to do my little bit to help the environment. By the way, 2011 is the International Year of Forests.
My green resolutions include:
Ride my bike
I have a bike. It's nothing fancy, but it works. I want to ride it more and drive my car less. I’ll try and ride to the local coffee shop once a week and to the nearest train station to commute to work.
I’m never going to be a lycra-clad, long-distance cyclist but I want to use my bike for more practical purposes than a Sunday jaunt with the kids. It can’t be that hard!
Plant more trees
In 2010 I volunteered with my local bushcare group to regenerate a small patch of native bush. I’ve weeded and planted and met a couple of people who have inspired me because they know so much. My resolution is to stay involved with this group and get more trees into the ground.
If you want to do something for the environment, but don’t know what difference you can make, I’d highly recommend getting your hands dirty planting trees or helping to regenerate your local creek. It's such a practical way to do something positive. At the end of a session you can see the pile of weeds you’ve pulled out or the trees that have been planted. It's free and sociable too. Contact Habitat Brisbane to find your closest group.
Only buy free-range pork
I make an effort to buy free range chicken (and my chooks produce happy eggs) and in 2011 my conscience now leads me to stop buying pork that is intensively farmed.
Pork producers have agreed to stop using sow stalls but not until 2017. RSPCA approved pork products are starting to be stocked in some supermarkets and butchers.
Other resolutions
- help my kids’ school get recycling bins
- Buy rainforest alliance or organic coffee
- Cut back on using cling wrap wherever possible
- Go op shopping more and buy less new items. I admire those who resolve to buy nothing for a year! I couldn't do it.
- research installing solar power for my house
- discover more about the Brisbane Transition Town groups
- perhaps get involved in a community garden
- stay positive about the changes I can make.
2010 achievements
Looking back on 2010 I'm happy with the small steps I've taken towards a more sustainable lifestyle and written about in this blog. For example, I've:
- packed litter free lunches
- gotten a bigger recycling bin
- built no-dig gardens and a vegie patch
- been inspired by amazing speakers such as Joel Salatin and Natalie Issacs, and even some great TV shows
- attended events like Walk against Warming, Clean Up Australia Day and (PARK)ing Day
- installed 12 000 litre water tanks and planted a green screen of bamboo.
OK, I've put my resolutions out there for all to see...
Have you got any resolutions this year?
