Green England Articles A Very Happy Green New Year

A Very Happy Green New Year

This year there seems to be a proliferation of lists of how to live a greener 2008. Lists of hints and tips regarding recycling, car use, what to eat and what not to do. They are all eminently commendable and interesting to read but will they go the way of all New Years Resolutions?

Change is hard - We all know how difficult New Year resolutions can be to keep ----- have you decided to exercise more, lose weight, give up smoking, read more etc only to have returned to your old habits by the third week of January and gone back to your old ways, claiming too much work stress, too cold, lack of money, time etc

You may read he lists of hints and tips and decide that is how you will live your life or you may think that's all very well but time, money and life get in the way... Either way it is often a fact that although we may want to live a greener life – otherwise why would we be reading these articles – the reality is often that we are stuck in our ways.

In some ways, going green is different from some other New Years Resolutions. Firstly the results have an implication beyond yourself and your immediate family and this can give you an additional motivation and feel good factor. You can also know that you are part of a greater movement, a growing band of people that are turning against the selfish consumerism that only looks at ones own needs, but is turning towards a social responsibility to our fellow human beings and future generations. You may even feel some peer pressure if you have friends and colleagues who you know are making changes.

As you read through the lists of how to go greener you may well have already implemented some changes and can congratulate yourself that things perhaps such as low energy lightbulbs, recycling all paper, plastic and glass and turning off everything at the mains is now second nature to you.

But don't get too smug – are you still accepting plastic bags sometimes, driving at over 60mph and eating strawberries in winter?

Whatever you are doing now – how will 2008 be any different?

As it is likely you are already implementing some green solutions, have a look at what made you successful in implementing those. What benefits do you get from it and what effect does this have on the planet?

Next, I would suggest you decide what aspect of going green and ethical is most important to you? What makes you cross about other people's and your own actions showing a disregard for the planet?

Then choose several from the lists that are listed below and write them down. Then just choose one that appeals to you most and decide how you will implement it overt he next month. Go into detail to how you will achieve your aim and look at potential obstacles to success and how you will deal with those.

Only attempt to make one change at a time. Keep the list so that when you have done the first thing and it is firmly in your way of life – choose the next item.

It may not seem much but one small act you will stick to has got to be better (and more achievable) than many large gestures that you don't stick to. And the feel good factor of having achieved it is enormous!

And do write in and tell us about the changes you made, the challenges and benefits so we might collate and pass on thoughts, tips and hints to other readers.

Meanwhile Green England wish you a very Happy and Green and Ethical 2008!



Here are a of tips sites for a greener 2008.

Green England Tips

The Independent - 10 green new year's resolutions

Nigels Ecostore's Recomendations

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