Thinking green in 2008

By Ricky Bryant / circulation director

January 06, 2008 12:46 am

— It’s the new year and if you are like me you become a little introspective and start thinking not only about the year that has just passed but about what is ahead. It is also during this time when I take stock of who I am and what I am doing and then commit to being a better me. Of course there are the perennial favorites that top the list every year: eat less, exercise more, talk less and listen more etc.
This year I am going to think a little more globally and add something new to the list. This year I am going to “think green.” For the handful of you who may not know what I mean, I am committing to make decisions and take actions that have a more positive impact on the environment. Before you start calling me a tree-hugger hear me out. I am not talking about becoming a fanatic. I am talking about looking around the house and changing some wasteful and careless habits - little things like turning off the water while you are brushing your teeth, replacing incandescent bulbs with some fluorescent bulbs, collecting the plastic bags from the grocery store and returning them to be recycled.
Since Al Gore inserted global warming and its effects into the collective consciousness of America there have been a flood of groups formed and products developed that are committed to preserving the earth. Whether you choose to join an organization and embrace their beliefs is up to you. All I am talking about is taking a common sense approach to being a better steward of the planet. Think about it this way: Every day there are new developments in the fields of science and technology that virtually guarantee that the next generation will have it better than we do, but if we continue to neglect the environment what difference will it make?
Everyone is busy and time is a premium, but there are several things the average family can do to become more earth friendly. Recycling is easy and costs nothing. Just call the city and tell them you want a recycling bin and they will deliver it to your house. Then all you have to do is throw your consumable plastics, newspapers and corrugated cardboard in the bin and drag it to the street with your trash. Those squiggly fluorescent light bulbs are more expensive, but they use a lot less energy and last eight to ten times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. You can conserve water by waiting until you have a full load to run the dishwasher or washing machine. Save energy by keeping the thermostat set on one temperature and leaving it or by closing off un-used rooms. I am sure you could come up with a list of your own in a short period of time.
If you want to take it to the next level, you could consider car-pooling, riding a bicycle on short trips to work or the store, or you could even buy a hybrid car. You could purchase only those products that are made of or packaged in only recyclable materials. For me it is as simple as adding it to the list:
1. Eat less
2. Exercise more
3. Talk less and listen more
4. Think green
As you ponder your new year’s resolutions, consider including a commitment to take small steps toward becoming a more responsible guardian of the planet and its resources. Your grandchildren and the tree-huggers thank you.

Ricky Bryant is circulation director of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rbryant@themeridianstar.com.