2012 Green Goals: 12 Things You Must Do In The New Year

Year after year, losing weight and quitting smoking top most New Year's resolution lists.

But as we leave 2011 behind, a year that was filled with extreme weather and further disturbing evidence of human-induced climate change, why not add some green goals to your resolution list this January?

Earth911.com offers a list of 12 green things that must be done in 2012. Check out what you can do this year to reduce your environmental impact, and click here to offer your own green resolution.

Tips and captions courtesy of Amanda Wills from Earth 911.

Comments

[dimitrius]

04:56 PM on 01/23/2012

What a load of Green propaganda! lol

"pays for itself in about 6 months and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent"

I've had a handful of CFL's stop working, it's a fraud. Also they are infinitely more toxic than incandescents. So think about that, the next time one goes into a landfill.

[cricket]

10:44 PM on 01/08/2012

first valuable article in huffpo

[vetxcl]

09:38 AM on 01/08/2012

Great article.
Others will disagree. That's so sad. Just sayin'.

[classicfeatures]

04:40 PM on 01/07/2012

i like how they say "we know economy is down" but they still want us to buy expensive bulbs, expensive organic crap, don’t eat meat and drive without a/c or heat. I’m pretty sure people with money will not even read this article. Yet us poor folk have to stop living

[tnfourstar]

01:08 PM on 01/07/2012

Screw the LED'S. I mean dam. I will buy them when the price goes down. If it will not go down then oh well. Sticking to cfl then. I still use my first batch of cfl's from 6 years ago. When I move they come too. If I rented I bought the flamers for cheap when I left.

[ablacks657]

09:09 AM on 01/07/2012

All GE light bulbs are MADE IN CHINA!!! Buy Phillips

[reynchris856]

07:29 AM on 01/07/2012

Those damn bulbs hurts my eyes and gives me a really bad headache. I hate those damn bulbs. But I do green every were possible.

[ILoveFiction]

08:16 AM on 01/07/2012

Try high quality LEDs like the ones from CREE.

If it works, pay me back by reading Tom Sawyer.

[oxjr]

05:18 PM on 01/08/2012

They used to do the same for me - so I only had them in places I rarely stayed in for long, and even then it was just to avoid changing bulbs (attics, halls, porches). Three years ago I started making sure I got the ones with the warm spectrum (did not even know it was an option) and most of my bulbs are decorative (frosted glass cover to make them look like regular bulbs). I am not sure what stopped my headaches (the frosted glass or the spectrum) but they are gone and I have them in all my rooms now. And I hate changing bulbs so I love them. Can't wait to try leds.

[Roshi98]

12:05 PM on 01/06/2012

We've replaced nearly every bulb in the house with a mix of CFL's and LED's, letting the incandescents burn out first and the savings have been INCREDIBLE. The light quality has been stellar and our electric bill has been cut by about 40%.

[LKK]

07:22 PM on 01/05/2012

The lightbulbs are a political joke..it really doesn't have anything to do with ecology, the mercury in them is far more toxic than the energy savings save. And...I use the term savings lightly. I switched my outside lights thanks to my accountant husband. First, they are so slow to come on, second, I've burned through 2 in each light in 3 months, where as my regular outside bulbs last 6 months or more in various temps. Then the expense? Please...it cost me more for all of the replacements than I would have saved in a year on my light bill. As far as the heat? I count on that heat to help warm the bathroom on a cold winter morning or to dry fingernails when using polish. Sorry, I think this was a political sell out.

[Mark from atlanta]

09:24 PM on 01/05/2012

"the mercury in them is far more toxic than the energy savings save" - you are comparing apples to oranges.

[LKK]

10:12 PM on 01/05/2012

You are right in respect to two different entities..mercury toxin versus energy consumption but if you factor in the cost, fact they don't last as long as they "advertise" and the production of the bulbs, including mercury..which one is ultimately better for the eco system? This whole topic is like mercury thermometers vs digital thermometers which use batteries. Except in that case either one usually last for years if not decades so it's less landfill than the 4 lightbulbs and their packaging I planted there this past summer. Just so you know, I'm very eco friendly - I've been recycling since before it was trendy or mandated, grew my own veggies or purchase from local farmers markets, don't use chemicals, cleaning, air fresheners,, etc...so this is a subject that irritates me. We need to focus on home building like the Canadians, which means energy efficient isn't an option, there is no choice between energy efficient windows or not, it just is. The same with doors, insulation quality, etc. We are focusing on something so small instead of attacking a big picture scenario accomplishing much more. Think how much fuel would be saved in every house and apartment if a certain quality of door and window and seals were the norm.

[Oginikwe]

12:39 AM on 01/06/2012

I agree with you. We have been burning through the CFLs and hate them. They don't work in the barns when it is cold and are just useless. I also worry about all that mercury, which is a very dangerous element. However, that LED bulb looks real promising. I haven't seen those anywhere on the market, yet. I would like to try those. I also think it was a political sellout and wonder how many in Congress bought stock in those bulbs before they passed that law.

[LKK]

01:48 AM on 01/06/2012

Yes, the CFL remind me of old fashioned flourescent lights, and that's my thought, lobbyists = mandate. My concern/issue with LED's from a female's point of view is I hate them. I don't think the light is clear, soft or real...I have LED flashlights and the light is tinted in someway that seems to mute visibility, yet it's a harsh light. Contrary I know but the only way to explain it...I can't imagine how my house would look or how relaxing it would be in the evening or early morning with these lights unless we go back to the 40's and 50's where we drape pastel scarves over the lamp shades to soften the glare..But, I can see a benefit in barns, workshops and doctor's offices, especially if it replaces that flutter of floursecents right before they start to burn out. I'd be very curious to see how it works in real life..but I still stand strong we need to focus on the big picture of energy.. :)

[Megan Mae]

02:29 PM on 01/05/2012

Great ideas. This is another idea I have transitioned to over the last few years and I will never go back:

If you have access to them buy whole, un-packaged foods out of bins/dispensers from the grocery store [such as rice, flour, sugars, granola, beans, etc.] and store them in airtight [preferably glass] containers. Not only does this heavily reduce packaging waste but you will also save $$ because these items are usually cheaper per lb and your foods are protected from pests that can usually infiltrate cardboard and thin plastic. And personally, I think it makes my pantry look more visually appealing and provides more cooking inspiration.. but that's just me.

[oxjr]

06:27 PM on 01/08/2012

I make my own convenient food. I buy large size rice, pasta, meat, and make 20 to 35 microwavable meals. Way less salt, only have to dig out the food processor one a month, costs less than $1.50 a meal and I only take a half bag of garbage once every three weeks.

The trick is buying matching containers (so that many meals will fit in the freezer and leave room for ice-cream and ice-cubes. Under cook the veggies and al-dente the rice/pasta. Pore the contents on a glass container to save the reusable plastic ones.

40% of our energy used is thrown in the garbage as food waste. My home-made prepackaging has reduced my food waste to just the tiny bit of carrot peel and onion skin.

[BlackbirdHighway]

02:24 PM on 01/05/2012

Start a victory garden should have made the list.

[HSC55]

04:27 AM on 01/09/2012

Definitely...or if you can't do that at least by locally grown from farmers markets in season. I have too much shade for my own vegetable garden :( so I support the local farmers.

[cjohnsonla]

02:22 PM on 01/05/2012

Love my LEDs

[Kenz300]

01:04 PM on 01/05/2012

LED light bulbs are GREAT !

As production ramps up the price will come down.

[mlaiuppa]

12:58 PM on 01/05/2012

Pretty much already done all that, except for the phone app. Don't have a smart phone.

[Gigantopithicus]

12:40 PM on 01/05/2012

Compact florescent lights are absolute JUNK. The majority that I've bought have burnt out in a matter of months (if not in the first week of use). Then, what do you do with the poisonous-mercury-laden eco bombs?

[oxjr]

06:33 PM on 01/08/2012

Sounds like you have power flux issues. That can ruin your computer and your TV and cost you a fortune in replacement bulbs. Check for loose wires if it is just one part of the house. Call your power company if it is all through the house.

CFLs are supposed to last much longer than regular bulbs so in the course of a year you should only have a few burnt out. You are supposed to keep them in a small box (in the garage, attic, under sink) and dispose of them when your town does its semi annual pick up of hazardous products (microwaves, firealarms, motor oil, old paint, batteries, etc etc). If your town does not have this then you should complain.