In admitting a potentially unpopular opinion, I’m personally not one for New Year’s resolutions. I tend to follow traditions of bioregional seasonality and view the deep winter of January as a time for continued rest, respite, and inward reflection. In some ways, it feels out of tune to set audacious goals in the depths of winter, but rather save them for spring when the world is teeming with new life and defrosting from the winter. 

To most though, the new year represents the ability to start anew, create better habits, and project on the year ahead with goals and hopes of growth. As we usher in a new year, the popular tradition of setting resolutions can offer an opportunity not just for personal growth, but also for making a collective impact on the planet. Climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time - I write as disastrous fires, in part fueled by climate change, rage across Los Angeles - and each of us has a role to play in mitigating its effects. By incorporating climate-friendly habits into our resolutions, we can contribute to a more sustainable future while inspiring others to do the same. Below, I’ll offer up some opportunities to incorporate and sustain climate-friendly resolutions into your new year's goals. 

Reduce that Waste!

Can you imagine if you had to hold onto every piece of waste you produced in a given day? One of the simplest and most tangible ways to make a difference is to get better at reducing and diverting your everyday waste. The roughly 153,000 tons of solid waste generated in Eagle County translates to about 6% of Eagle County’s total emissions. Reducing your consumption in the first place is one of the best things you can do. Second to that, if you have a recycling bin, print or keep handy an Eagle County Recycling Guide or download the Waste Wizard app so you can ensure you’re recycling correctly. 81% of waste in Eagle County is divertible through recycling and composting. 

Spend Less Money on Gas and Transportation Bills
It’s no secret that our community is heavily car-dependent. From daily commutes along I-70 to running errands between Gypsum and Vail, many residents drive 40-50 miles a day, or more. This reliance on personal vehicles quickly adds up, resulting in high gas bills, increased vehicle maintenance, and a significant environmental toll from emissions.

For those living in areas with limited public transit options, especially farther from town centers, completely ditching personal vehicles might seem unrealistic. However, making small changes is not only possible—it’s more convenient than ever. Core Transit offers fare-free rides along the I-70 corridor, making commutes and errands easier, affordable, and more sustainable.

If biking or walking is feasible, the difference adds up. For example, biking or walking just 10 miles a week for commutes or errands reduces your emission output by 500 pounds annually. If you enjoy human-powered commuting, we recommend joining the Sole Power challenge during the summer months, where you can win prizes for your green commuting efforts. These small efforts matter; according to Eagle County’s 2023 Energy Inventory Report, "The County's per-capita transportation emissions continue to stand at roughly double the state average."

Save Money on Utility Bills

If you’re a renter or homeowner looking to lower your monthly expenses this year, there are plenty of energy efficiency programs available to help you save money while making your home more comfortable and sustainable. One great option is the ReEnergize Eagle County program, which provides a free home energy assessment and up to $7,500 toward energy-related home improvement projects. The program is designed for residents who fall within 150% of the area median income (you’d be surprised to know how many residents qualify!) and is combinable with other rebate programs, such as from Holy Cross Energy. By taking advantage of programs like this, you can save money, improve your home, and contribute to a more sustainable community—all at the same time.

Support Local Businesses

Maybe one of your goals is to be more conscious of where you put your money. A great way to do this while reducing your carbon footprint is by prioritizing buying local. Colorado has plenty of local food producers, from veggies and fruit to sustainably raised meat. My personal favorite way to shop locally is at the local farmers markets across Eagle County in the summer. However, being that farmers markets are seasonal, it's not always a viable option, which is why Walking Mountains has created a helpful Local Foodshed Production Map. This tool can help you source local food all year round! 

Do Less This Time of Year

Similarly to my note about slowing down & resting - simply doing LESS is a great and often overlooked goal! By doing so, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now, of course, no one is advocating for another horrific and isolating pandemic. However, it is notable that in 2020 we saw a significant reduction in total emissions because we were doing less. What's the harm in slowing down? We are constantly experiencing life at a fast pace as if it would otherwise slip away from us. Yes, we cannot completely pull away from this- we still have jobs, schools, families. However, perhaps we could look at how slowing down in some capacity in our lives would also improve our mental health. In fact, Google Trends found a 400% increase in views of slow-living content from 2019 to 2020 alone. In our post-pandemic world, mental health experts say the idea of slowing down your lifestyle is as important as ever for both your mental and physical health. Not only would slowing down be a healthy choice for us, but also for the environment. 

While individual actions alone won’t solve climate change, they are critical pieces of the larger puzzle. When multiplied across millions of people, these efforts can drive significant progress. This new year, let’s resolve to prioritize the planet. By integrating climate-friendly habits into our daily lives, we can make 2025 a year of sustainability and hope, for ourselves and future generations.

Gina McCrackin is the Climate Action Collaborative Manager at Walking Mountains, and Chantel Recksiedler is the Climate Action Collaborative Coordinator. The Climate Action Collaborative is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Eagle County 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.