Happy New Year! 🎉
As we've just said goodbye to 2024, we are embracing 2025 which brings along the promise of a new start. Making New Year's Resolutions is a great way to establish your goals and hopes for the new year! Why not make resolutions that not only enrich your life but also benefit the planet?
To ring in the new year together, we have collected some green resolutions for starting into a more sustainable 2025. Adopting sustainable habits is a powerful way to contribute to environmental health while fostering a deeper connection with nature. Let us know whether you will be incorporating any of these resolutions into your 2025 routine.
1. Embracing a Low-Waste Lifestyle
Waste reduction makes a great 2025 resolution, as it can be done in almost all areas of life and isn't too hard to do. First, you should start out by examining your daily habits and identifying areas where you could reduce waste.
For instance, you can focus on reducing food waste by setting up regular meal plans. This allows you to buy only the groceries you really need, resulting in less leftover food. If you have any leftovers you won't eat at the moment, you could freeze them and enjoy them at a later time. Furthermore, a compost bin for food scraps is a great idea to be more sustainable, turning organic waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
In addition to that, you can make eco-friendly choices in your daily life, including carrying a reusable water bottle or coffee cup, bringing your own reusable bags and grocery nets to the store, or opting for products with minimal or compostable packaging.
2. Prioritise Sustainable Transportation
Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. There is nothing wrong with driving your car, as many people - especially in more rural areas - cannot necessarily rely on public transportation all the time. It's all about choosing sustainable transportation whenever possible!
If it's a short trip, walk there or take your bike. For longer distances, use public transit or carpool with others to save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And of course, if you can, explore the possibility of transitioning to an electric or hybrid vehicle.
By prioritising sustainable transportation, you will reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of a more active lifestyle.
3. Adopt a Plant-Based Diet
The meat and dairy industry are major contributors to climate change, so reducing your meat and dairy consumption can make a drastic impact on your carbon footprint. If you can, switch to a plant-based diet completely, but even committing to "Meatless Mondays" or a few plant-based meals a week can make a difference.
There are countless delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes to experiment with. If you love trying new recipes, this should be a fun challenge for you! You could try making plant-based versions of your favourite meals or even discover new favourites to add to your meal plan.
4. Reconnect with Nature
Most of us probably don't get enough fresh air anyways, so spending more time outdoors is a great way to make your year greener. This improves your own well-being while deepening your appreciation for the environment.
Visit local parks or nature reserves and really take the time to appreciate the natural resources around you. "Colour Walks" are a great way to re-discover nature while de-cluttering your mind. Pick a colour and then try finding objects or plants in that colour on your walk to keep it interesting.
Furthermore, you could reconnect with nature by planting trees or a garden. Even planting some flowers in a pot on your balcony or in your home can help you do that.
5. Engage in Environmental Advocacy
Spreading awareness for environmental issues, policies, and initiatives is vital! Use your voice to protect the planet, for instance by supporting clean energy projects, participating in local clean-ups, or donating to/volunteering with environmental organisations.
Furthermore, environmental advocacy also takes place on social media. Follow and support eco-friendly bloggers and influencers, share and engage with informational posts, and expand your knowledge every day.
These are only five of many ways to make greener resolutions for the new year! Make sure to let us know what resolutions you are making and what sustainable goals you are making for 2025.