With New Years just around the corner, it’s time to clean our slates and rewrite our resolutions:

• Spend more time with family.
• Quit that terrible habit.
• Go to the gym.

But with a planet in peril, let’s not forget to make a few pledges to the earth. As we embrace the New Year and vow to change our ways, why not cut down on energy use and water wastage while we’re at it? There are plenty of green New Years resolutions to be made. Finding it overwhelming? Not sure where to start? Over the next seven days I’ll give you seven simple suggestions for green-focused New Years resolutions. Today, lets begin with the simplest resolution of all . . .

1. Say No To Plastic Bags
Each year, Americans throw away enough plastic bags to wrap the planet 4,000 times. Considering it takes an average of 500 years for a plastic bag to decompose, we’re literally covering our planet with islands of plastic bags. This year, take the pledge. Carry a tote to the store or keep a reserve of already used plastic bags in your car, purse, briefcase or pocket. This way you’ll always have them on hand so you won’t forget them when you need them most . . .

Stay tuned for resolutions two through seven.

More people travel for Thanksgiving weekend than any other US Holiday. So much travel is terrible for the environment. Here are some tips:

1. Offset Your Flight.
If you’re planning to fly this Thanksgiving, your flight will have the greatest environmental impact–by far. 

Believe it or not, flying is twice as bad for the environment as driving a gas guzzling hummer to your destination, and three times as bad as taking the train!

“How so?”

Airplanes travel in the sensitive upper atmosphere and release a cocktail of greenhouse gasses–nitrogen oxides, soot, and CO2 (carbon dioxide)–all major contributors to global warming.

If your planning to fly this Thanksgiving consider “offsetting” your trip. Offsetting works by investing funds in sequestration or energy efficiency projects that absorb or prevent the release of a tonnage of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) equivalent to the amount of CO2 you released in your travels. For example, some offsetting programs plant trees to counterbalance the emissions of your flight. The trees produce oxygen and absorb CO2 to “offset” the amount of CO2 your flight has produced. Of course not flying at all is a much better idea, but I’m not going to insist you stop visiting Aunt Marla and Uncle Earl?

2. Drive Better
If you must drive this Thanksgiving, make sure your tires are properly inflated and your car is in good working order–you’re family will be safer, you’ll save money spent on gas, and you’ll reduce emissions.

The United States Department of Energy (USDE) reports that keeping the right oil in your car and changing it every 4 months (or 5,000 miles) plus a once-a-year air filter change can improve your fuel efficiency by 8% or more! Over the course of just one year, the USDE estimates that your average savings will be more than $150. Add in regular tune-ups to keep your car running the way it was engineered to run, and you’ll pocket at least an additional $50 a year in savings.

Before taking one of those family road trips, stop by the shop for a tune up and oil change. And don’t forget to inflate those tires. Many Americans forget to regularly check their tire pressure, and this definitely impacts your fuel efficiency – up to 3%. If you pressurize your tires and lighten up you load, you will save $50 a year.

3. Stay Home
Stave off stress and carbon emissions. 

Stay home for a cozy Thanksgiving with your immediate family.

Ahhh yes, the wine. The second most important ingredient for any Thanksgiving meal. There are many options to choose from. Of course all are organic to ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner is quintessentially green. Here are my suggestions:

 1. Syrah Syrah . . . whatever will be will be . . .
Frey Organic Vinters offers a tasty organic and rich Syrah. “An opulent nose, fragrant with spice and toasty oak.” In wine talk that means it tastes good. Pair with dark meat from your organic turkey.

 2. Syrah Again
Landmark Vinyards, a winery known for it’s excellent wines and even better environmental practices, also makes a Syrah. There’s is made from grapes sourced entirely from the El Farolito Vineyard on the northeast side of Sonoma Mountain, California. In such a cool climate, the grapes can develop a dark, yet elegant, fruit character, clearly present in the wine.

3. Cabernet
Frey also offers a popular, yet inexpensive Cabernet. According to its description it offers a, “black cherry aromas and plum fruit with a hint of mint on the finish.” Hmmm, hint of mint. That sounds exciting. Especially good if you are serving a meat other than turkey at your Thanksgiving. Mint always does well with lamb.

 4. Cabernet Sauvingnon . . . from Napa
Long Meadow Ranch is an integrated organic farming operation - and purveyor of fine food - located high above the Napa Valley on the picturesque slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. There award-winning viners produce red wine, extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables for Napa Valleys finest restaurants.  If you live in the Napa area be sure to look them up.

5. For Dessert Opt for the Pinot Noir
Frey Organic makes a light and delicate, Pinot Noir. Said to harmonize for a “symphony of strawberries, mint and pomegranate,” this wine is best paired with a simple fruit salad or rich dessert.

First things first. You can’t Thanksgiving without a turkey . . . unless you’re vegetarian in which case you’ll want to serve a tofurkey.

As a side note, going vegetarian is always something to consider if you want to save the planet. There are many reasons environmentalists argue for vegetarianism and against meat production. Commonly cited concerns include groundwater contamination from improperly disposed sewage, pollution from meat processing plants, clear cutting to make room for grazing, the production of grains for feed, methane, I could go on and on. All facts considered, a vegetarian meal will make your Thanksgiving the greenest.

If you can’t bare the thought of soybean turkey substitute then definitely consider an organic, biodynamic, or heritage turkey. By buying one of these options you’ll ensure that your turkey wasn’t raised on a pesticide rich diet. No fillers or antibiotics either. A certified turkey will ensure your meat was raised by farmers who care about the environment and are willing to spend the time and money on environmental best practices. Now that’s some food for thought!

76. Switch to low-wattage or compact fluorescent light bulbs. They last 10 times longer and use only one-fourth of the energy compared to incandescent light bulbs.

77. Eat vegetarian foods as much as possible. Meat makes less efficient use of land, soil, water, and energy - and cows emit/flattulate 300 liters of methane per day.
78. Dry clothes and linens on a clothesline rather than in the dryer. If you have to use a dryer, use an energy star one and clean the lint screen before use.

79. When running your tap to wash dishes, use cold water instead of hot. You’ll save a lot of energy.
80. Run energy efficient dishwashers only when full.
81. Take quick showers instead of baths.
82. Compost kitchen and garden waste, or give it to a friend who can.
83. If your lazy, don’t like to iron, or an environmentalist you can always hang your clothes in the bathroom while showering. They’ll be wrinkle free in 5 minutes of steam.
84. Install low flow showerheads and sink-faucet aerators. Low-flow showerheads can reduce the water flow up to 50 percent.
85. Collect rainwater and gray water for gardening use.
86. Start a garden; plant a garden instead of a lawn. Lawns use a huge amount of water.
87. Use natural fiber clothing, bedding and towels.

88. Insulate your water heater. Turn it down to 121°F.
89. Turn off all lights that don’t need to be on.
90. Try to be a localvore. Locally produced foods are better for the environment because they do not need to be trucked in from great distances.
91. Buy in bulk. Buy products with less packaging or buy in bulk.
92. Explore getting a solar water heater for your home.
93. Urge your local officials to start a convenient and even lucrative curbside recyclables pickup program.
94. Remove unnecessary stuff from your car. Each 100 lbs. of weight decreases fuel efficiency by 1%.
95. Use recycled products, especially paper.
96. Invest your money in environmentally and socially conscious businesses.
97. Bring your own canvas bags to the grocery store.
98. Limit your energy star air conditioner use.
99. Encourage your local auto centers to install CFC recycling equipment for auto air conditioners. Freon is released during servicing to become both a greenhouse gas and an ozone layer destroyer.
100. If you have to use fertilizer use an organic one. Home gardeners use up to 10 times more toxic chemicals per acre than farmers because home gardeners over use chemical fertilizers.
101. Spread the word.

Good luck and Godspeed.

61. Recycle your power tool and cell phone rechargeable batteries.
62. Donate your old computer.
Giving away your old computer can do a lot of good, too. Not only does it keep potentially hazardous materials out of landfills, it also puts a computer in the hands of someone who needs it.
63. Use a Mug.
If you’re like the average American office worker, you go through around 500 disposable cups every year. Keep a mug at your desk and use it.
64. Drink Organic.
65. Buzz Fair Trade Organic.
66. Soothe Organic.
67. Reuse your plastic bags or bring a tote to the grocery store.
It can take up to 1,000 years for plastic bags to degrade, depending on sunlight and air exposure.
68. Insulate your house by caulking and weather-striping doors and windows.
69. Close off unused areas in your home from heat and air conditioning.
70. When it gets really cold, put on a sweater before cranking up the heat.

71. Run energy star washing machines, but don’t overload them.
72. Use moderate amounts of biodegradable detergent.
73. Air-dry your laundry when possible.
74. Set energy star refrigerators to 38°F, freezers to 5°F, no colder.
75. Take the roof rack or case off your car when it’s not being used. It decreases the aeordynamics meaning you’ll use more fuel. Also empty the boot/trunk to make it lighter.

42. Switch to Solar Energy.
In one day, the sun provides more energy than our population could use in 27 years. Make the switch to sunlight — it doesn’t pollute and it’s free.
43. Turn your thermostat up by three degrees in the summer. You can prevent the emission of nearly 1100 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
44. Use a notebook computer.
Notebook computers are 90 percent more energy-efficient than desktop computers. They run on rechargeable batteries, and have energy-saving features like low-energy display screens and automatic sleep modes.
45. If you’re really hardcore use an Energy Star certified notebook computer. Since 2001, all Apple computers and displays have earned the original (2000) ENERGY STAR® rating.
46. If you’re really really hardcore use an Energy Star 4.0 certified notebook computer. Apple Mac and the Apple MacBook Pro either in a 15.4 inch screen or 17 inch screen have already received the impressive Energy Star 4.0 certification.
47. Use rechargeable batteries.
We buy 5 billion batteries every year. Trouble is, they’re not biodegradable and they’re full of toxic heavy metals that could leak into landfills. Rechargeable batteries, can replace between 50 and 300 throwaway batteries.
48. Recycle your cans.
Every month, we throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet. Recycled, that aluminum would be worth $600 million by year’s end.
49. Swaddle babies in organic cotton only.
It’s not only softer and toxin free—vital to a newborn’s extremely sensitive skin but also better for the environment.
50. Look inside the triangle .
Plastic can only be recycled a limited number of times. Plastics labeled with #1 or #2 are most easily recycled, so look for a number inside the triangle on the bottom of most plastic containers.
51. Buy a mulching lawnmower.
Take care of your yard without bagging or burning leaves and lawn clippings, get a mulching lawnmower that spreads the grass clippings back on the lawn, where they decompose and feed the soil.
52. Compost your raked leaves.
If you or your kids are raking them you might as well compost them and use the mulch for free lawn feed.
53. Recycle the news. Americans throw away 44 million newspapers every day. That’s 500,000 trees a week, which is a good reason to recycle your paper or read it online.
54. Buy organic food. Organic foods are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers — a healthier option not only for you, but also the planet.
55. work and files to save paper.
56. Offset
Air travel is incredibly environmentally taxing. Offset your flying with a small donation to a company that invests in projects to reduce carbon dioxide. .
57. Donate your car to charity Your car doesn’t even have to be running and part of the proceeds will benefit the cause of your choice.
58. Invest in green companies.
These investments perform as well, if not better than alternative investment options.
59. Eat fish carefully.
Excellent choices: mahi mahi, Pacific cod
60. Donate old paint cans.
Most paints contain metals that are hazardous to the environment when thrown away. Donate your leftover paint to your local theater company instead. Your neighborhood recycling center can also suggest drop-off points.

31. Take the live earth pledge.
32. Keep your car tuned.
Keeping your car in good working condition will make it safer and more fuel-efficient.
33. Use glass instead of plastic.
Plastic packaging leaves chemical residues on foods stored or heated in it.
34. Use organic skin care products.
35. Clean up your spills with cloth.
Twenty-seven million trees a year are destroyed to support our paper towel addiction. Clean up your spills with cotton kitchen towels or old clothes.
36. Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows.
37. Opt for small-oven or stove-top cooking when preparing small meals.
38. Compost kitchen and garden waste, or give it to a friend who can.
39. Clean the lint screen in clothes dryers.
40. Support Organic Cotton
41. Carpool
Most cars on U.S. roads carry only one person.

11. Green your office.
12. Use natural cleaners instead of chemical cleaners.
13. Give organic.
14. Stay warm in winter by layering up.
15. Plant Trees and Turn Down the AC.
If you live in a hot place, plant trees to produce shade. Trees surrounding a house can reduce the temperature inside by 10 to 20 degrees. Lower indoor temps mean less electricity for your AC, saving you hundreds.
16. Use energy saving lightbulbs like CFLs. They might costs a bit more but they last a lot longer and are better for the environment.
17. Insulate your house.
18. Wash clothes in cold water
When it comes time to do the laundry, you can cut your energy use and washing costs in half by switching to cold water. Of course use an Energy Star washing machine.
19. If really ambitious heat your above ground pool with solar power . . . .

Leisure Peter Palm’s Solar Heating System Premium Above-Ground Kit
Heat for your above-ground or in-ground pool for free with this solar heating module. Kit includes diverter valve, mounting hardware, and two 6′ hoses and clamps.

20. Go lead free with organic toys for your children.
21. Reduce
22. Reuse
23. Recycle.
24. Drive a hybrid.
When in the market for a new vehicle, consider buying a hybrid. That will reduce your smog pollution by 90 percent compared with the cleanest vehicles on the road today.
25. Sleep in eco luxury.
26. Reduce your junk mail.
Cancel catalogue subscriptions and ask to have your name removed from the Direct Marketing Associations database.
27. Use front-loading washers. You’ll save energy and money.
28. Indulge Organic.
29. Turn off your lights when you leave a room.
30. Line Dry Your Laundry

What can I do? What can one person do? I often get this question.

The answer: a lot.

To start, here’s a list of 101 options. I’ll kick off with just a few today, but will add to the list over the next six days. If we can do just one thing . . . even the easiest one, that’s great.

The idea of a list like this is not to make us feel guilty for all the things we aren’t doing, but inform us of tiny changes in our lives that collectively can make significant energy and pollution reductions.

This list of 101 suggestions doesn’t begin to exhaust the possibilities. Figure out what works well for you and then keep going in that direction. Good luck!

1. Send memos over e-mail to save paper.

2. Turn your thermostat down three degrees in the winter.
You can prevent the emission of nearly 1100 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

3. Switch to solar energy.
In one day, the sun provides more energy than our population could use in 27 years. Make the switch to sunlight–it doesn’t pollute and it’s free.

4. Avoid styrofoam.
It never biodegrades.

5. Use tap water instead of loading up on bottled water.
If you’re picky about your water install a water filter on your home faucet. That $5 filter will give you 40,000 8-ounce glasses of purified tap water.

6. If you have to print, use recycled paper and make double-sided copies.

7. Use a low-flow toilet.
A low-flush toilet uses half the water but still does the job.

8. Walk, bike or skateboard.
Twenty-five percent of all car trips are less than a mile long. So get on a bike or that bamboo skateboard and get some pollution-free exercise.

9. Support local farmers. On average, your food has traveled 1200 miles just to get to your plate. Shopping at farmers’ markets, co-ops and CSAs allows you to buy directly from the people who grow the food.

10. Unplug appliances.
Unplugging is the only way to make sure your appliances aren’t using energy.