I hear that many people still make New Year’s resolutions. I also hear that by February, many have broken them or given up already.

In case that is your problem, might I suggest some alternatives? Or maybe something more interesting than your diet and exercise program?

I think we often fail at our resolutions because they are not things we really want to do. These are a few changes you might make in your life that are pretty easy and will reap great benefits for you and for Earth. Maybe those benefits will be enough incentive to keep on going?

Saving water
Fix leaks in toilets or sinks. Amazingly, you can lose 3,000 gallons per year for one leaky faucet, and 73,000 gallons per year for a leaking toilet! That’s a lot of wasted water — and wasted electricity, if you live on a well with a pump, like we do. Pay attention to this one.

Update appliances when you can, to energy efficient, water-efficient ones. Look for the Energy Star label for the best information.

Check out how you are doing at saving water by doing the self-audit at www.h2oconserve.org.

Saving energy
This cold winter weather reminds me of a fall chore I forgot, but it’s not too late – covering the windows with insulating plastic. It’s amazing what a difference that thin plastic can make.

Replacing single-pane windows with double-pane ones and installing storm doors is even better, of course. Are there are still some incandescent light bulbs in your house that could be switched to compact fluorescent bulbs? You can save $70 in energy costs, including 450 gallons of water per bulb over the life of the bulb.

Garden smarts
When it’s warm enough to think about the garden, plant some natives. You have to water native plants for the first summer, but after that, they should be OK on their own. That saves a lot of water.

Mulching well around your plants with organic matter and compost will also save water and enrich your soil too. If it’s your alternative to having leaves and such hauled away with the garbage, that saves money too.

If you do have to water the garden, water in the morning or evening instead of midday and you will save about half of the water you use.

Drip irrigation hoses can cut water use drastically over the sprinklers. They are more targeted in where the water goes, and they don’t spray water in the air to evaporate.

Best yet, collect as much rain water as you can to use for watering on the dry days. This could mean a series of rain barrels, a cistern or some other system. But don’t wait until the dry days of summer to set up your system. Get creative and collect the rain now! Just a note: We have native plants and rain barrels at Stillwaters Environmental Center.

— Naomi Maasberg is director of Stillwaters Environmental Learning Center. Contact her at naomi@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.