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Go Green in 2014

Posted on 1 January 2014 by Lauren Brook

Happy New Year!

Now that Christmas is over it’s time to get thinking of new year’s resolutions. For many of us these will focus on spending less money, eating healthily and getting fit (making up for a very merry Christmas!). But have you thought about setting yourself some green resolutions that can help you do all of the above whilst also reducing your carbon footprint?

For example, one of my resolutions this year is to eat less meat. I’m not ready to become 100% vegetarian, but I am conscious that the meat industry has a massive carbon footprint. So I’m going to plan one or two days a week where I will only cook vegetarian food. This is also much healthier and meat can be quite expensive so this should save me some money too!

I asked the staff here at Greener Kirkcaldy to share some of their green new year’s resolutions.

Russell - “In 2014 my resolution is to be more of an 'active citizen'. This year I seem to have signed a lot of online petitions about things (known as 'clicktivism' I believe) but next year I think I ought to be more of an activist. Don't get me wrong, I don't think you'll see me chained to any railings anywhere! But writing letters to my MP and taking more notice of local politics are two easy ways I can be more of an active citizen. At the moment I don't even know who my local councillors are.... Through my work I meet lots of people doing their bit to create a Greener Kirkcaldy which is great, but alongside this communities need a healthy local democracy to make positive decisions in the peoples' interests.”
Russell – “In 2014 my resolution is to be more of an ‘active citizen’. This year I seem to have signed a lot of online petitions about things (known as ‘clicktivism’ I believe) but next year I think I ought to be more of an activist. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you’ll see me chained to any railings anywhere! But writing letters to my MP and taking more notice of local politics are two easy ways I can be more of an active citizen. At the moment I don’t even know who my local councillors are…. Through my work I meet lots of people doing their bit to create a Greener Kirkcaldy which is great, but alongside this communities need a healthy local democracy to make positive decisions in the peoples’ interests.”
Lisa - “I'll cancel my gym membership and just enjoy running outside, along the prom or in one of the parks.”
Lisa – “I’ll cancel my gym membership and just enjoy running outside, along the prom or in one of the parks.”
Jenny - “Be more Squirrel - I'm going to try and keep potential wrapping materials aside for the year. Sometimes it can cost as much for giftwrap as for the gift!! For example, if you know someone who's keen on gardening, wrap their gifts in pages from Gardeners World etc. (you can glue pages together easily to get the size of gift wrap you need, or use newspaper - be creative!). Squirrel away useful sizes of cardboard boxes too. If you're lucky enough to receive flowers this year, reuse the cellophane and tie with twine/colourful wool - just let your imagination go wild and your friends will be delighted that you care enough to put this much thought in. The best news is we're saving pennies AND being green!!”
Jenny – “Be more Squirrel – I’m going to try and keep potential wrapping materials aside for the year. Sometimes it can cost as much for giftwrap as for the gift!! For example, if you know someone who’s keen on gardening, wrap their gifts in pages from Gardeners World etc. (you can glue pages together easily to get the size of gift wrap you need, or use newspaper – be creative!). Squirrel away useful sizes of cardboard boxes too. If you’re lucky enough to receive flowers this year, reuse the cellophane and tie with twine/colourful wool – just let your imagination go wild and your friends will be delighted that you care enough to put this much thought in. The best news is we’re saving pennies AND being green!!”
Lisa S - “My new year’s resolution is to stop leaving the TV turned on at the wall 24/7!”
Lisa S – “My new year’s resolution is to stop leaving the TV turned on at the wall 24/7!”
Suzy - “My new year’s resolution is to start bringing a packed lunch to work. The main reason is to reduce waste – I feel a nagging sense of guilt every time I throw away the packaging of a shop-bought sandwich or carton of soup! I also know that bringing my own lunch would be healthier, tastier and much cheaper. To cap it all, it’ll help make sure that I don’t waste so much food at home. So my plan for January is to make a big pot of soup each Sunday, and freeze it in portions to warm up in the microwave at work. I’ll also make sure that any leftovers from dinner get made into creative packed lunches, and that I use up any stuff in the fridge that’s nearing its ‘best before’ date.”
Suzy – “My new year’s resolution is to start bringing a packed lunch to work. The main reason is to reduce waste – I feel a nagging sense of guilt every time I throw away the packaging of a shop-bought sandwich or carton of soup! I also know that bringing my own lunch would be healthier, tastier and much cheaper. To cap it all, it’ll help make sure that I don’t waste so much food at home. So my plan for January is to make a big pot of soup each Sunday, and freeze it in portions to warm up in the microwave at work. I’ll also make sure that any leftovers from dinner get made into creative packed lunches, and that I use up any stuff in the fridge that’s nearing its ‘best before’ date.”
Fraser - “My new years resolution is to learn how to store the mushrooms I forage. Before now I have eaten them fresh or dried them, but I would like to learn more about pickles and sauces which will extend the life of my pickings dramatically. If I can store them for longer I will be able to put off buying shop bought foods of the same type.”
Fraser – “My new years resolution is to learn how to store the mushrooms I forage. Before now I have eaten them fresh or dried them, but I would like to learn more about pickles and sauces which will extend the life of my pickings dramatically. If I can store them for longer I will be able to put off buying shop bought foods of the same type.”
Darren - “In 2014 I plan to reduce my energy consumption by installing solar 12volt lights in my home.”
Darren – “In 2014 I plan to reduce my energy consumption by installing solar 12volt lights in my home.”

So why not help save the planet (and some money!) and have a green 2014. Try some of our ideas or start the New Year with some green resolutions of your own. We’d love to hear your ideas, so get in touch on Facebook or Twitter.

Have a happy, green new year!!

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