Here’s to a Green 2013!

by Alison Lueders, Great Green Editing

So, how are those New Year’s resolutions going?

It’s not too late to add a green resolution to your list. Find just one greener habit or practice to follow, at work or at home, and commit to doing it, starting today.

What might that be? The list of possibilities is endless, when you consider all the facets of sustainability. Just a few examples are:

  • Reduce your energy use (and save money) by lowering the thermostat in winter
  • Bring reusable bags to the grocery store instead of using plastic
  • Recycle your electronics or household chemicals properly instead of throwing them in the trash
  • Swap in LED or compact fluorescent bulbs when your incandescent bulbs burn out
  • Buy local, organic food

Small steps, consistently taken, make a difference. Websites like Practically Green offer plenty of ideas, along with information about the impact of each action. Pick the action that’s easy for you.

To learn more, don’t miss these two great local events that are coming up:

  • On Feb. 2, 2013, the fourth annual EcoFest is at the Learning Gate School in Lutz. I attended last year and it was mobbed. It’s a pleasant walk around a shady campus with good food and tons of information from businesses and organizations with a green bent.
  • On Feb. 9, 2013, the Green Living Expo is happening at Grace Lutheran Church from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s on Linebaugh Ave, and will feature 20 or so vendors ranging from Fisher Honey Bees to Tampa Bay Watch.

And of course, Going Green Tampa is a wonderful local resource all year round. Check out their newly revamped website, offering a calendar of green events, a directory of green businesses, and lots of information on how to go green.

So here are my green resolutions for 2013:

  • Read more books on my Kindle instead of buying paper ones
  • Use reusable cups at Starbucks. They just introduced their own reusable cup this year. I bought one for $1, and now my hot beverage is 10 cents cheaper every time.
  • Start composting household food waste.

I invite you to join me and the Sustany® Foundation in making Tampa Bay a little greener every day!