As we approach the end of a tumultuous and stressful year, the weeks after Christmas give us a chance to rest and reflect. Christ is born, and the world is full of new possibilities. January is traditionally a time of sobriety and healthful practices. After the luxuries of the holiday season, take time to review the unsustainable practices we all do unthinkingly. January can be a time to think about the well-being of the world at large as well as ourselves.
In a year when we are seeing tropical storms in the Appalachian Mountains and wildfires in New York City, the reality of climate change looms large. No one person can affect climate change alone, but choices we make can have a ripple effect on those around us. Who would have ever expected to see so many solar panels in Pittsburgh? Do they make you think? Likewise the proliferation of hybrid autos. When adding or replacing air conditioning, consider a split system, zoned for efficiency.
Smaller changes can also improve the health of our surroundings, such as installing a rain barrel or moving to native plantings. In a kitchen remodel, perhaps it’s time to replace a gas stove with induction, to improve both health and safety. Replacing appliances, look for an Energy Star sticker. Have the old one hauled away for free!! Duquesne Light will pay you $50 per room AC unit, refrigerator or freezer, and $35 per dehumidifier. Need a new water heater? Look into on-demand. They don’t waste energy heating a 40-gallon tank of water that goes unused for hours.
For a sustainable New Year’s Eve celebration, here are a few tips:
• Go paperless- send E-vites.
• Skip disposables- use real tableware and flatware.
• Shop thrift stores for your party outfit, or, better yet, shop your closet.
• Make all your decorations reusable- nothing year-specific.
• Use local and organic food, and consider going meatless.
And finally, go on a hike, or at least a walk, on New Year’s Day and ponder a safe and happy year to come!
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