Making Climate Resolutions

January is the time when folks are the most apt to make new resolutions for the upcoming year. Many of us focus on exercise or healthful eating or even adding in a daily meditation practice. But what if we shift our focus to making climate resolutions?

In the ever deepening ecological devastation, climate resolutions are important piece of the climate crisis puzzle.

In 2022, I made the following climate resolutions (and did pretty well with sticking to them):

Eat less meat

By April of 2022, I had completely cut red meat from my diet. As of May 2022, I have been eating sustainably harvested fish once per week and locally-raised chicken about once per month. As someone with multiple autoimmune disorders (Hashimoto’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia), cutting meat from my diet was not only healthy for the planet but also healthy for my inflammation responses.

Compost more

In addition to my usual composting practices in my home, I added in a compost container in my therapy office.

A big change in reducing my harmful ecological footprint has been to go grocery shopping in smaller batches and to start making vegetable broth/stock from produce that has gone to the dark side of wilty. Bonus- I never have to buy vegetable broth ever again!

Repair damaged items and clothing

Early in the year, I invested in a mending block. The linked photo to this blog post is of a colorful mend in my favorite goldenrod sweater.

Eat local and organic

When going grocery shopping, “local and organic” has been the main focus since my days working at the North Country Food Co-op back in 2006. This year, I was able to pay off my full membership in the local Greenstar Food Co-op and have enjoyed cooking more with bulk items and fresh local produce.

Go plastic-free when possible

I bumped up my bulk purchases (honey, quinoa, chia seeds, etc) and use my own glass containers in the store. I also have moved to bar shampoo soap to decrease my use of plastic in the shower.

For 2023, my climate resolutions are:

1- Talk more about the deepening climate crisis and ways that humans can make tangible changes.

2- Join an advisory board of the Climate Psychological Association of North America.

3- Continue learning and training as a climate-aware therapist.

4- Continue to divest from big box stores.

Check back next year to see how I did!

Looking for more ideas? Check out the Columbia Climate School’s ideas for 2023 climate resolutions. And, in this story from NPR, A. Martinez discusses some options for making a climate resolution in 2023.

What will your 2023 climate resolutions be?

Take care & stay wild,

Snowy