Eco Resolutions and Results
Like many folks, I made a New Year's Resolution last January. "That's my plan for 2010, make one dozen changes to burn less fossil fuel and eat more locally." According to Psychology Today, "setting specific goals, sharing our resolutions with others, and focusing on the benefits of achieving the resolution" are simple strategies towards sticking to resolutions. I hoped my goal was ambitious yet achievable and I shared it with EcoDaddyo readers. Now let's see how well I kept my resolutions.
2010 Resolution Results
- DIY Home Energy Audit - Knowledge is power
- Gardening - Learning as I Go
- Bicycling - Fewer Miles in the Car
- Fridge Upgrade - Two for the Price of One
- Home Canning - Saving the Fruits of our Labor
- Rain and Greywater Irrigation system - Wasting Less Rainwater
- Window Frame Spray Foam Insulation - Eliminating Thermal Breaks
- Sealing Back Door and Bathroom Vanity - Two Air-Sealing Projects
- Replanting Hazelnuts - Replacing Last Year's Seedlings
If you add up all the items on my list you'll count 10 separate projects and efforts. That's 10 projects out of 12 I had hoped to achieve in 2010. But, not every project was an total success. We had mixed results in the garden and I had to replant the hazelnut seedlings. As well, some of my projects were relatively small and made small or difficult to calculate improvements. While, I tried to hold to my environmental resolutions my results were not perfect.
So, what is my plan for 2011? I am renewing my pledge from 2010: "I will make one dozen more changes to burn less fossil fuel and eat more locally." Wait! Before you call me out for setting a low bar, this isn't an easy goal. First, I'm running low on 'low-hanging fruit'. Further reductions of fossil fuel use are becoming progressively harder to find. Secondly, we have added a new member to our family. While our total household carbon footprint will increase I will keep looking for creative ways to minimize our CO2 impact.
Since we're discussing resolutions - what are your goals for 2011?
More Info:
Accords, Treaties and Resolutions
Psychology Today - New Year's Resolutions: Why They Don't Stick
