A Greener 2016
By Lina Younes
Happy New Year! As we begin the new year, we’re looking for a fresh start to a healthier and happier life. How about finding ways to embrace a greener lifestyle for 2016?
Personally, I’ve selected some green resolutions that will help me make better environmentally sound choices for my family, my community and the planet. I think they’re easy to follow now and throughout the year. I’m sharing them with you. What do you think?water
Resolution #1: Save energy.
Saving energy at home, at school, or in the office can start with one simple light bulb. I know I often sound like a broken record trying to convince my youngest to turn off the lights in her room when she leaves. This year I want both of us to make that special effort. This simple action can go a long way to save energy.
Also, at home, we’ve made sure that all our major appliances have the Energy Star label. Are you planning to to replace an old computer or household appliance this year? You can save energy and money, too, if you choose a new appliance with the label.
Resolution #2: Save water.
We definitely cannot live without water. So, why not do our best to use this precious resource as efficiently as possible? Saving water saves energy and money. This year, I’m making a special effort to take shorter showers and turn off the faucet while I brush my teeth. These simple steps can go a long way.
Do you have a leaky faucet or toilet? Did you know that household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water every year in the U.S. alone? I’ve had problems with leaky toilets at home and learned from the experience! Don’t let a leak break the bank. Look for the WaterSense label when buying new water efficient toilets and other plumbing fixtures to save valuable water and money every day.
Resolution #3: Use safer chemicals.
We’ve all heard the expression: “cleanliness is next to godliness.” So, why not look for safer cleaning products to protect ourselves, our family and the environment? Did you know that we have a program that helps us do just that? It’s called SaferChoice. Products with the SaferChoice label have met high EPA standards to ensure that they’re greener to better protect people, pets, workers’ health and the environment. Personally, I seek greener chemicals to help protect my family. I’m glad there will be more products available with the SaferChoice label this year.
Resolution #4: Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Make an effort to reduce waste from the outset. Why not use reusable containers at home, at school, and at the office? Reducing disposable packaging and waste saves you money and ultimately protects the environment. Looking for additional tips on how to reduce waste? Here are more suggestions on what you can do every day.
For starters, I’m focusing on waste free lunches. When I prepare lunches for my youngest to take to school or for me to bring to work, I’m avoiding disposable plastic bags. I’m using reusable containers for the food and beverages. Not only am I preventing those bags from ending up in a landfill, but I’m saving money, too.
By the way, don’t forget the other two R’s—reuse and recycle. For additional tips, visit: http://www.epa.gov/recycle.
Resolution #5: Be more active.
While we often include losing weight as a New Year’s resolution, how about aspiring to become more active as the means to a healthier lifestyle? You don’t have to sign up for an expensive gym membership to achieve that goal. It’s much easier and less costly than you think. How about simply walking more often? Take your dog on longer walks. How about visiting your local park?
Personally, I’m taking the stairs more often at work. I also have a new standing desk. So, I’m not as sedentary as in the past. Being more active at work, becoming healthier, and protecting the environment sound like a win-win to me!
So, what green resolutions will you embrace in 2016? We’d love to hear from you.
About the author: Lina Younes has been working for EPA since 2002 and currently serves the Multilingual Communications Liaison in EPA’s Office of Web Communications. Prior to joining EPA, she was the Washington bureau chief for two Puerto Rican newspapers and she has worked for several federal and state government agencies over the years.
Jan 08, 2016 @ 15:46:49
This past Summer my family and I have become new homeowners in Boston, Mass. Immediately after we moved into our home, I scheduled my no-cost home energy assessment, we began using a clothes line instead of the electric dyer as we all reducing waste by recycling. My family and I are more focused in not only saving energy but in saving our environment for future generations to come.
Jan 09, 2016 @ 21:57:23
How about just phasing out those nasty wood stoves? People in my borough are sick with cancer and the kids are born slow/dumb like my neighbor’s kid across the street
Jan 10, 2016 @ 19:14:02
Although I do my best to save energy, save water, use safer chemicals and reduce/reuse/recycle everything that can be reduce/reused/recycled and use a bicycle for transport, the most important thing I do for the planet and my health is to use clean heating instead of a dirty, polluting, climate-damaging wood stove.
NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant said wood heaters are so detrimental to health she supports banning and phasing them out in built-up urban areas. PM2.5 are considered the most health-hazardous air pollutant, responsible for the highest number of premature deaths per year. The average health cost of PM2.5 emissions in urban areas is about $100 per lb, implying that the average EPA-certified wood stove (which emits 97 lb of PM2.5 per year) has estimated health costs of $9,700 per year – see http://woodsmoke.3sc.net/woodheater-car-comparison#USEPA
Drew Shindell, Professor of Climate Science at Duke University and Chair of the CCAC Scientific Advisory Panel tells us that it will be impossible to meet the climate targets set at Paris unless we tackle short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). Calculations, available at http://woodsmoke.3sc.net/ghg show that, over the next 20 years, heating a home in a relatively mild climate with a typical enclosed wood stove will cause up to 34 times more global warming than heating the same home with an efficient heat pump.
These figures imply that the benefits from one person not using a wood stove are greater than 100 people doing their best to save energy, save water, use safer chemicals and reduce/reuse/recycle everything that can be reduce/reused/recycled.
Anyone who currently uses a fireplace or a wood stove should make switching to clean, non-polluting heating a priority for their health and the health of the planet – and pass the message on to everyone to can assist in this important way to create of a cleaner, healthier planet and reduce the risk of not meeting the climate targets set at Paris in December 2015.
Jan 10, 2016 @ 20:32:41
The most important thing I do for the planet and my health is to use clean heating instead of a dirty, polluting, climate-damaging wood stove. I do my best to save energy, save water, use safer chemicals and reduce/reuse/recycle everything that can be reduce/reused/recycled and use a bicycle for transport, but the benefits of these actions pale into insignificance compared with not using a wood stove.
NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant said wood heaters are so detrimental to health she supports banning and phasing them out in built-up urban areas. PM2.5 are considered the most health-hazardous air pollutant, responsible for the highest number of premature deaths per year. The average health cost of PM2.5 emissions in urban areas is about $100 per lb, implying that the average EPA-certified wood stove (which emits 97 lb of PM2.5 per year) has estimated health costs of $9,700 per year – see woodsmoke .3sc .net/woodheater-car-comparison#USEPA
Drew Shindell, Professor of Climate Science at Duke University and Chair of the CCAC Scientific Advisory Panel tells us that it will be impossible to meet the climate targets set at Paris unless we tackle short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). Calculations, available at woodsmoke .3sc .net/ghg show that, over the next 20 years, heating a home in a relatively mild climate with a typical enclosed wood stove will cause up to 34 times more global warming than heating the same home with an efficient heat pump.
These figures imply that the benefits from one person not using a wood stove are greater than 100 people doing their best to save energy, save water, use safer chemicals and reduce/reuse/recycle everything that can be reduce/reused/recycled.
Anyone who currently uses a fireplace or a wood stove should make switching to clean, non-polluting heating a priority for their health and the health of the planet – and pass the message on to everyone to can assist in this important way to create of a cleaner, healthier planet and reduce the risk of not meeting the climate targets set at Paris in December 2015
Jan 11, 2016 @ 12:59:50
Because most of the power in the US comes from our political system, getting involved politically to not only support the EPA but a cleaner, more sustainable environment as well would be my #1 “greener” resolution for 2016. Not that putting more items recycle bin and less in the trash or reducing one’s eco-footprint doesn’t help but really, if you want to make a substantial impact in favor of the environment, let your elected representatives know how you feel about issues relating to the environment.
Apr 06, 2016 @ 09:10:42
Another way to greatly reduce the generation of household waste in your homes is to start composing. There’s a lot of food waste that is being generated in every home on an annual basis. When it’s handled properly, instead of being trashed, it can serve you well as compost for your plants in the garden or for the flowers on the ceiling. A large number of the population is starving tremendously and the fact that this can be prevented, gives me hope. It’s important to have knowledge on how to get rid of the bulky rubbish in your home and in the same time make the most of it by composing, repurposing or recycling.