You’ve definitely heard of New Year’s resolutions. And you may probably have already made yours for 2024. But have you included some green resolutions for the new year? If you haven’t and are keen on making a difference, don’t worry; we’ve got you.
The new year has always felt like the perfect time to make a lifestyle change. If you’re like us and it feels like the world is always moving too fast, with bad news about the world almost every day, and you want to make a difference but don’t know how, look no further; we’ve compiled a list of 5 green resolutions to try this year that won’t push you too far over the edge.
Say bye to meat for at least one day a week
Have you considered going meatless at least once a week? If you feel that you’re not yet ready to commit to veganism or being vegetarian but still want to try saying goodbye to meat, this is the perfect trial run for you! On the other hand, it is currently Veganuary, which is also the most ideal time to begin your vegan journey. If you’re not familiar with what Veganuary is, it is a month-long pledge to try eating vegan for January that started in the UK and has since become global.
Environmental damage from meat production is significant; it produces 10 to 40 times more greenhouse gas emissions than does the production of fruits, grains, and vegetables. To put this in perspective, it takes 450 gallons of water to create a quarter-pound of beef! According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quantity also fluctuates according to where in the production process you are. To cultivate grain, forage, and roughage to feed a cow, a lot of water is required.
Additionally, meat alternatives have gone a long way! Substitutes like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have made plant-based meat alternatives accessible for almost everyone and can easily fit in your green resolutions.
Two words: public transportation (Or say bye to your car when you can)
While we’re aware that this is not feasible for every city in the world, this is for those living in places where public transport is beyond accessible, like Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, Berlin, etc. But if you’re in a place where it’s more than possible to take public transportation, you can join the rest of the world’s agents of change as the globe moves toward being more ecologically conscious.
In an almost matter of fact situation, taking public transportation reduces air pollution and improves road congestion. Daily commutes are responsible for 85% of the greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Did you know that an emission reduction of 30% may be achieved by getting rid of one automobile and using public transportation instead of driving? Using public transportation results in at least a twofold reduction in the amount of fossil fuel energy utilised by private vehicles. This also helps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In cities where it’s possible, an alternative to driving cars would be walking or cycling to your destinations!
However, don’t be discouraged or ashamed if you’re not able to give up driving in favour of public transportation. We’re not here to judge and we understand that doing what you can is the best course of action in the fight against climate change.
No more fast fashion
Look, fast fashion has constantly been in the spotlight, especially over the past year, and for good reason. From Shein being exposed for how they treat their workers to H&M being sued for greenwashing, fast fashion has had few redeeming moments in the past year, let alone the years before it. On top of that, the fashion industry is the second-most polluting industry in the world, second only to oil. Fast fashion is made for temporary wear and has a limited lifespan since it focuses on fleeting trends.
Cotton is one of the most commonly utilised commodities in the fashion industry, and it is also one of the crops that consumes the most pesticides on the planet. One pound of cotton is thought to require at least 136 grams. To give you a better idea, the typical t-shirt is made from 227 grams of cotton. Additionally, cotton is a crop that uses a lot of water.
Additionally, low-cost clothing enables the production of hazardous, petroleum-based synthetic fabrics and dyes that consume enormous amounts of fossil fuels during production, transportation, and farming. Due to the overwhelming demand for fast, literal production of these fashion items, sweatshop conditions for textile workers throughout the world are harsh and frequently unhealthy. Ultimately, sweatshops continue to operate due to incredible demand.
We’re also aware that it’s not possible for everyone to completely avoid fast fashion and that it comes with great privilege to only choose slow and made-to-order fashion. In the event that you need or want to purchase from fast fashion brands, make sure you consider the number of times you’ll wear or use them and what fabrics they’re made of.
BYOWB (Bring Your Own Water Bottle)
Did you know that, excluding transportation, the United States uses the equivalent of 17 million barrels of oil annually to create plastic water and soda bottles? Considering that annually more than 2.5 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide are produced by bottling water, what a staggering waste of resources and a ridiculous threat to the planet!
Only a small portion of the annual production of single-use plastic bottles—which numbers in the billions—is recycled. Even recycled plastic garbage can only be used so many times before the fibres start to break down. The majority of plastic garbage produced worldwide thus ends up in landfills or the oceans, where it pollutes the environment by releasing toxins into the soil and harming animals.
In Barcelona, Spain, where bottled water is gaining popularity, 2021 research published in the journal Science of the Total Environment examined the health and environmental advantages of bottle, tap, and filtered tap water. The findings were astounding. Tap water is superior to bottled water for both humans and the environment. According to the research, Barcelona’s whole population would have to spend $83.9 million a year to harvest the raw materials required to make bottles, which would result in the extinction of 1.43 species. That has a 3,500-fold higher cost, 2,000-fold higher energy use, and 1,400-fold greater impact on ecosystems than tap water.
A reusable water bottle is a simple and easy first step to reducing waste if you are already aware of the issues with plastic.
Second hand is the way to go
More and more consumers feel less motivated to purchase used goods as a result of the widespread adoption of low-cost, mass-produced products, especially fast fashion. Fortunately, despite this, the market for secondhand goods is robust.
We might immediately conjure up images of clothing and garage sales when discussing thrifting or buying used stuff. Yes, buying used clothing and other fashion goods from internet thrift stores is fairly common and accessible. But we also need to normalise buying second-hand cars, electronics, baby gear like cribs or prams, etc.
Shopping second-hand reduces the need for new retail products, particularly clothing, which relieves pressure on manufacturers to create plenty of things at a profit. Additionally, thrifting prevents unwanted clothing from ending up in landfills as well. The more we see thrifting and buying secondhand items as less of a trend and more of a practical, accessible (Facebook Marketplace, Carousell, Depop, etc.), and sustainable (in the long run) practice, the more it will become ingrained in our shopping habits.
You’re doing amazing, sweetie!
As everyone says, it only takes a small step to make a difference. Sometimes it’s beyond our control, even when we want to, and that’s more than okay! Don’t be discouraged; try again when you’re able. And you don’t have to start your green resolutions from January onwards, start whenever you feel you’re ready! At the end of the day, if we all stuck to just one green resolution, the change we’d make would be astronomical.