New Year, greener you? Here are some actions that you can take every day to reduce your impact on the planet. These steps can be adopted by everyone, and are friendly to the environment, and to our wallets! Adding these tips to our to do lists will help us reduce our carbon footprints and energy consumption, contribute to our local economy and feel better! Start the year on the right (and green) foot!

Lights: Switch to LED and turn them off!

Needless to say, consider turning off the lights when you are not at home or try keeping them turned on for shorter periods of time. On top of this, switching to LED lights, solar powered lights, or lights powered by rechargeable batteries can help you save energy!! LED lights use about 33% less power and last longer!

Turn down your thermostat!

Consider turning down your thermostat during the day when you’re out of the house and at night. Not only will this save you some money, but it will also reduce your carbon footprint! It also means you can wear on your cosiest sweater and slippers around the house and have a better sleep if the room is cooler!

Add some greenery to your home!

Now that the days are shorter and snow is beginning to fall, we could all use some more green nature in our lives. Consider getting some indoor plants for your house. Not only will they help purify the air in your home, but they will also add a cozy and happy atmosphere to your home, as well as help retain moisture and heat!

Eat green, and eat local!

During the winter months going to local farmer’s markets can be tough, however there are indoor winter markets in most cities. Try to buy local seasonal produce this winter. Not only will this help support local businesses, but it will also help prevent excess shipping and packaging of produce. Plus, the produce will probably taste better when it’s fresh!

Carpool or take public transportation

In the winter we tend to leave our engines running longer to warm up the car before heading out to work. This winter, consider finding a carpool buddy or take public transportation whenever possible. You will be helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint and saving money on gas. If you must use your car regularly, try minimizing your car idling time.

Curtains: Open and Close

Closing your curtains at night can help keep the heat in, but if it’s a sunny day consider opening your curtains to let in some natural heat during the day.

Get outside as much as you can!

Try to get outside as much as possible, even if it means a short walk around your building at lunch. Spending time in the light can also help suppress that sleepy feeling and keep you energized for the rest of your day! On weekends, try to get outdoors, whether it’s walking around your neighbourhood or city, going on winter hikes, or doing winter sports such as skiing and skating. The more you spend outside, the happier you’ll feel!