RESIDENTS across Warwickshire are being encouraged to make their new year resolutions environmentally friendly.
Warwickshire County Council has curated a list of green pledges that everyone can sign up for in 2024.
The four most common resolutions planned by respondents of a recent YouGov survey were – doing more exercise or improving fitness, saving more money, losing weight and improving diet.
And in a happy, green coincidence, these are all also important co-benefits of changes that people can make to live more environmentally conscious lifestyles.
For example, choosing active travel for short journeys is both better for the environment by reducing carbon emissions while also helping to improve fitness, increase weight loss and save money,; and improving diet can be achieved through a reduction in the amount of red meat that is eaten or by adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet, which are both more sustainable and better for the environment.
One of the biggest issues with making new year resolutions is that multiple studies have shown people will tend not to keep the changes going across the whole year. The same YouGov Survey found that only 31 per cent of those who made 2023 resolutions claim to have kept to all of them, while 50 per cent say they have managed to stick to some and 16 per cent confessed to having failed at all of their promises to themselves.
WCC is hoping that these pledges might help buck the trend and increase the number of resolutions that are maintained through 2024.
The council is calling upon everyone to sign up for some climate change pledges from a carefully curated list spanning various aspects of daily life, such a energy and home, food and waste, garden and nature, transport and travel, shopping and clothing, and social and community.
By making a pledge to themselves using the online tool, the hope is that they’ll be more likely to stick to their resolutions.
WCC’s environment spokesperson Coun Heather Timms said: “Our collective efforts play a crucial role in addressing the global climate emergency. By making a commitment to some small changes in our daily lives, we can make an important contribution to a Warwickshire that is sustainable now and for future generations.
“I hope to see as many residents as possible embracing these pledges as they give thought to their 2024 new year resolutions. We are not only safeguarding our local environment but also contributing to the global movement towards a sustainable future. Our message is simple: Together, with small changes, we can all make a big difference!”
For more information visit https://www.warwickshireclimateemergency.org.uk/greenpledges
