Green Your Resolutions 2009 | Kim Carlson

I will read labels each time I buy personal care products and avoid phthalates (sometimes labeled as "fragrance") and parabens both have been linked to disrupting the endocrine system causing reproduction and fertility birth or developmental effects.

•   I will buy at least two locally grown food items each time I go to the store. Not only does it require less energy to get to your table but it tastes better and food purchased soon after harvesting contains more nutrients.

•   I will buy power strips to plug my electronics into and remember to turn them off nightly before bed to reduce my phantom load. On average, 40% of home electricity is used to power electronics and appliance while they are turned off.

•   I will check my tires for the proper pressure once a month. If all four tires are under-inflated by only 2psi, fuel efficiency will drop by 4%.

•   I will eat one less meat one less time per week to cut down my dietary carbon footprint (one calorie of beef uses 33% more fossil fuel to produce than one calorie of vegetables).

•   I will find out if my local electric utility has a renewable energy program that I can opt into such as wind, water, biomass or solar. Conventional electricity production is the leading cause of air pollution and the largest source of CO2 emissions which are linked to global warming.

•   I will buy six concentrated or bulk products to replace my usual choices to save packaging and reduce what I throw away.

•   I will wash clothes in only cold water and hang dry my jeans. The water heater is the second largest energy user in the average home.

•   I will convert part of my lawn from turf to landscaping with drought tolerant and native plants to reduce my water use. Xeriscaping not only saves water, it also saves time and mone -- no mowing, very little water or maintenance costs.

•   I will plant a tree. Trees help convert pollution into oxygen, help reduce erosion and absorb carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming.