In 2023, our New Year’s resolution is to achieve bold climate actions - but we’ll need your help to get there! The Town has stepped up to the challenge by developing a community climate plan, but there's plenty of solutions that will require collective action to reach out goals! Use some of these resolutions to take your first steps (or continue your journey) to take action this year!

Writing your goals for the next 12 months can be daunting – but we're no stranger to making an actionable plan! The Climate Action, Sustainability, Preservation, and Resiliency Plan will lay out the steps, timeline, and opportunities to accomplish each of our actions.

Looking back on the past year, we have a lot to celebrate. We have completed an inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions to better understand what sectors and activities they are coming from, convened an Advisory Group and volunteers to help inform the CASPR plan, gathered ideas, perspectives, and priorities from our community through a survey, and so much more!

The Town is starting 2023 by continuing to prioritize making our community more sustainable and resilient. Reaching our goals will mean everyone has to take actions – big and small. The good news is that taking 'green'' actions has many benefits, from utility bill savings, cleaner air and water, to a healthier and safer community for all.

But enough about us. On to the ways YOU can make your New Year sustainable!

Our top 10 ideas for 2023 New Year’s resolutions for you – and the planet

Save Energy (and Money) at Home

Energy is a big one when it comes to being more sustainable. After all, the fuels we rely on right now to power our homes and cars is what drives climate change.

Sample Resolution: I will choose 2 actions to reduce the energy I use at home.

Get a start by seeing how much you could save by installing a heat pump, scheduling a remote home energy assessment, and looking into Danvers Smart Saving Program.

Invest in Clean Energy

Since our energy is mostly produced by fossil fuels, to tackle climate change we’ll have to switch to more renewable sources like wind and solar.

Sample Resolution: I’ll learn more about the benefits and tradeoffs of solar and consider installing it at my home or business.

Get started by learning about solar and our Residential Solar PV Program to save money from Danvers Electric.

Repair Items or Shop Used

So remember when we said most of what we throw away can be recycled or composted? That’s true – but NO trash is better than less trash! Shop for pre-loved items and test out your creative skills to find ways to reuse things that would end up in our waste stream – jars into plant pots, newspaper into wrapping paper, friends clothing swap, donate for school iSTEM or art projects – the list goes on!

Sample Resolution: I will try to think twice before tossing something in the trash and find ways to reuse or repurpose items. I will

Switch to Reusable Bags + Bottles

Even simple actions can make a big difference. Single use plastic like thin plastic bags and water bottles can seem like a small convenience to us, but they really add up in the landfill and as litter! By using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles per year.

Sample Resolution: I will avoid single use plastic and use a reusable bag and water bottle whenever I can.

Bonus Resolution: Bring a reusable mug when you get a hot drink on the road (or at work).

Even though our regular caffeine fix doesn’t come in plastic, the waste from the paper cups is also bound for the landfill. And a reusable mug will keep that coffee or tea warmer longer!

Save Water Inside and Out

Droughts, storms, and heat waves will all be a burden on our water system – so being efficient now will definitely pay off later!

Sample Resolution: I will take three actions this year to reduce how much water I use at home.

Check out all the rebates and tips for indoor and outdoor water conservation – including money for an efficient irrigation system and tips on how to conserve water in daily activities.

Bike, walk, or switch to an EV

Emissions from transportation make up nearly half of our total greenhouse gas emissions. When we drive less, we can save money on gas, help keep our air clean, make safer streets, reduce noise pollution, and stay healthier. Head to the Danvers Drives Electric site to get in touch with an EV advisor, search rebates, and learn more about what making the switch could look like for you!

Sample Resolution: I will replace one car trip a week with carpooling, biking, or walking

Become a recycling pro

Only 1/3 of waste produced by households receiving municipal collection was recycled. The good news is that there is a lot you can do! Use this handy FAQ to make sure what you’re throwing away can’t be recycled.

Sample Resolution: After reviewing the recycling FAQ, I will recycle all appropriate paper, glass and plastic and take plastic bags to be recycled at the grocery store.

Develop your green thumb with sustainable landscaping

Our landscapes are more than just pretty backdrops for our selfies. They can also be a refuge for wildlife and pollinators, protect us from flooding, keep our air and water clean, and even absorb and store GHGs!

Sample Resolution: I will do three things this year to make my landscape more sustainable.

Need some help getting started? Learn more about what it means to have a sustainable landscape from this State toolkit for homeowners. If you don’t have a landscape to take care of, volunteer with the Town to help keep our shared natural areas healthy and litter-free - join the upcoming Spring Cleanup!

Talk about climate!

Even though 65% of Greater Boston residents know climate change is happening and caused by human activities, only 45% report discussing it, even occasionally. Luckily, there’s an easy fix to that. TALK ABOUT IT!

Sample Resolution: I will make an effort to learn more about climate change and bring it up in conversations with friends and family.

BONUS RESOLUTION: I will share this list with at least 2 friends, coworkers, or neighbors.

Learn more about climate change, the impacts we’re feeling in Danvers, and what we can do about it, and bring it up in conversations with loved ones. It’s important to stay positive and inspire action in others because how can we really address this issue if we’re not talking about it? We wrote another blog post exclusively on this topic!