Paris Hilton recently said that she is going to become more environmental - and do things like turn the water off when she leaves the house. We here at the Public Trust hope that you will go just a little farther. These ideas fit right in with the most common new year's resolutions.

1. I resolve to drive less. Our cars release a variety of pollutants, including greenhouse gases responsible for global warming and others that make asthma worse. Instead, combine trips, run errands with a buddy, or best yet, walk. This last one fits in nicely with many people's other resolution - to lose weight.

2. I resolve to buy less stuff. Many people resolve to clean out their houses or garages and be neater during the year. Buying less stuff can help us accomplish this while saving landfill space and saving the energy, water, and other resources that would have been used to create that stuff.

3. I resolve to eat less meat. Recent studies have shown that animal production creates more greenhouse gases (GHG) than driving our cars. You can feel a little less guilty driving that SUV if you forgo the hamburger. You don't have to go cold turkey (ha ha), but eating lower on the food chain saves a lot of resources. And diets low in meat and high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains will help you meet that "healthier lifestyle" resolution.

4. I resolve to change all my lightbulbs to compact florescents. If saving money is your resolution this year, this is the green resolution for you. Changing my house to all CFLs saved me $20 a month on my power bill right away while saving energy. For an extra savings, plug your stereo, TV, etc. into power strips and switch them to off when they are not in use. A lot of these appliances use energy even when they are not on.

5. I resolve to take my children/family/friends out into the great outdoors. Who doesn't want more quality time with the people who mean the most to them? If you plan a trip to say, a National Park, not only are you supporting some of our greatest treasures, but you are teaching whomever you take with you about the beauty and value of nature. People are more likely to protect that which they know and love.