While it’s hard to believe we’re already wrapping up the first month of 2025, many have already established resolutions to better themselves in the new year. Even so, it’s never too late to consider making additional goals that not only enrich your life but also benefit the region’s air quality.
Whatever that may look like for you; whether it be looking to reduce waste, conserve energy or embrace a more sustainable diet, there are countless ways to make a positive difference. By integrating green practices into your resolutions, you can contribute to the health of our planet while inspiring others to follow suit. Here are 25 ideas to get you started:
- Adjust the thermostat by turning it down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer to decrease emissions and save money on your power bill.
- Adopt a plant-based diet, even part of the time, to reduce your meat and dairy consumption as those industries are major contributors to climate change.
- Avoid “topping off” your gas tank as gasoline pollutes the air when it evaporates.
- Avoid vehicle idling that releases harmful chemicals, gases and particle pollution into the air.
- Buy local to reduce harmful carbon emissions and grow the local economy.
- Carry reusable utensils and/or straws with you to avoid the use of disposables.
- Combine errands into a single trip to minimize vehicle use and related emissions.
- Don’t pollute. Switch up your commute. Instead of driving to work or school every day, try taking public transit, carpooling, biking, walking, or working from home at least once a week to help improve air quality.
- Ease up on the pedal while driving to significantly lower gas consumption and vehicle emissions.
- Eat out at farm-to-table restaurants where food is sourced locally and reduces the need for long-distance transport.
- Engage in environmental advocacy to protect the planet and do your share for cleaner air.
- Focus on green cleaning products instead of ones with harsh chemicals that can negatively affect air quality.
- Go paperless when possible to save trees and cut back on air pollution and water consumption associated with production and transport.
- Install LED light bulbs at home or the office – they use 75% less energy than their regular counterparts.
- Learn how to properly recycle and find nearby alternative recycling options to help conserve natural resources and reduce waste.
- Make the switch to online banking to help save time, postage and trees.
- Minimize “phantom” energy by unplugging electronic devices not in use.
- Nix bottled water since single-use plastic contributes significant amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere as litter lingers in landfills.
- Consider an electric or hybrid vehicle to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Organize your refrigerator to easily keep track of what you need to use up to avoid food waste.
- Refrain from burning wood that contributes to polluted air, which will also help improve lung health.
- Shop secondhand first before buying new items or try DIY items yourself to reduce excess waste.
- Shop smarter online by choosing companies that offer sustainable packaging and consolidating your orders to limit excess packaging.
- Start composting to promote better air quality by turning food and lawn waste into rich mulch.
- Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances that are more efficient, cost-saving and air quality-friendly.
For more great tips on how we can all work together to achieve cleaner air in 2025, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.