Sustainable Suburbs

The beginning of the year is full of promise and potential, where we take a little time to set our goals for the future in the hopes of making this “our year.” Maybe you’ve decided to lose weight, quit something, start something, read the Sustainable Suburbs without fail, etc. All worthy goals.

We make a big deal out of resolutions. But what makes resolutions different from other decisions? After all, we make decisions every day, sometimes without much thought.

I’m not trying to be some wanna-be self-help guru here. My usual resolution is not to make any resolutions. Although this year I decided to write a blog, and if you ever want some serious accountability for your resolutions, tell a lot of people about them in a public forum…kinda like this. But it’s interesting to consider how one gets into the habit of lowering their carbon footprint.

There are plenty of reasons that people don’t come to the sustainable table: the perception that it’s too big an issue, or too expensive, or they’re skeptical of gimmicks.

If you find yourself in that position, keep in mind that practicing sustainability can be really simple, and it often equates to saving money. For example, turning off unused appliances can save on your monthly utility bill. Don’t worry, you can plug your VCR back in when VHS tapes make a comeback.

If you want more ideas and simply can’t wait for my next post, try this. If you need a more professional opinion about sticking with your resolutions, try this.

Then share your green resolutions with me below. Don’t worry, it’ll be just between us.

And if you do nothing else, be inspired by one of my favorite quotes: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu