This year, make a New Year's resolution to the planet that you can keep.

People can't change their behavior overnight, said Mike Mercer, the executive director of Portland-based nonprofit Northwest Earth Institute.

Instead, do the simplest things first to reduce your carbon footprint, and then move on to bigger challenges. You don't have to do it for the planet either, you can do it for your pocketbook instead. Often, reducing emissions means saving money, too.

To make it easier, here is a list of 10 things anyone can do, from easiest to most difficult. Pick one and see where it leads you in 2009.

Sign up for renewable energy

If renewable energy was as easy as checking a little box, wouldn't you do it? About 70,000 of PGE's customers have done just that and signed up for either Green Source, a program that offsets your use with new renewable energy, or Clean Wind, which allows you to purchase wind power directly.

For those who don't have PGE, call your utility company to see what options it provides to promote green energy.

Change a light bulb or five

If every household in America replaced their standard bulbs with Energy Star ones in five of the most frequently used fixtures, it would be equivalent to eliminating 10 million cars from the road, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

And for those concerned about mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs, there's an even greener choice — LEDs.

LED bulbs last twice as long, said Beth Myers-Shenai, Marion County waste reduction coordinator, and they don't contain mercury or require special disposal. There is an initial investment of about $16 per bulb, however.

Pull the plug

As much as 5 percent of the electricity used in the United States is consumed by electronics that aren't turned on, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

Unplug laptops, cell phones and other gear as soon as they're finished charging. And consider plugging your TV, VCR and DVD into one power cord that you can switch on and off, Myers-Shenai recommended.

This will stop the electronics from drawing power to light up time displays and standby indicators.

Eat a low-petroleum diet

Most foods burn through a significant amount of petroleum before they hit your plate, mostly in the form of petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides or gas that fuels the journey to your grocer and refrigerator.

But small changes can make a big difference, said Mike Mercer, the executive director of Portland-based nonprofit Northwest Earth Institute.

Add a few organic items to your grocery cart. Organic foods offer the biggest CO2 reduction for your food dollar, Mercer said, because they don't rely on petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides.

Next try making a vegetarian meal once a week. The animals we eat consume a lot of grain, which in turn requires lots of fertilizers and pesticides not to mention the CO2 emissions from cows. Another option is to buy meat that is grass fed. To find local farms with grass-fed meat go to www.eatwild.com.

Finally buy local foods at farmers markets or sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture box with a local farmer to reduce transportation emissions. For more information about farmers markets and CSAs go to www.localharvest.org

Use water wisely

The energy it takes to heat your water is second only to that of heating your home. Showers and baths are the biggest users at 37 percent, followed by water heater loss, clothes washers, dishwashers and sinks.

An easy fix is to adjust your water heater to 120 degrees. That temperature reduces the risk of burns, and it saves money, too. You can also cover your water heater with an insulation blanket, but first check the caution label on your water heater. Some newer models won't need one.

For clothes and dishwashers, do full loads or adjust the water level accordingly. Also select the water-saver settings if available.

Consider taking shorter showers and installing low-flow shower heads. The Oregon Department of Energy says a five-minute shower with a traditional head uses 10 gallons of hot water and a bath can use 20 gallons.

Get a free home energy review and follow the recommendations

Energy experts will check your home from basement to attic to see which methods, services and products will keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. As much as 60 percent of the energy used to heat and cool your home can be lost through leaky ducts, inefficient equipment, poor insulation and air leaks, according to the Energy Trust of Oregon, the nonprofit that offers the free in-home audits. Energy Trust experts also offer information about rebates and tax credits for improvements.

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and Northwest Natural Gas customers can contact the Energy Trust of Oregon for this service at (866) 368-7878. Salem Electric customers can call the customer-service number to schedule a home inspection.

Buy less stuff

Everything we buy has its own complex carbon footprint already, said Myers-Shenai.

It takes energy to extract the raw materials, transform them, create a product, transport it and then energy to consume it and to throw it away.

All of that adds up. In Oregon the stuff we buy and throw away generates about 7.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year.

Instead, consider buying reusable, durable goods such as canvas bags, cloth diapers or higher-end clothes that won't give out after one season.

Also browse thrift stores, classified sections and online groups such as www.freecycle.org to find used items instead of buying new or go without.

And avoid products with excessive packaging. For more information about products that strive to reduce product emissions, go to www.c2ccertified.com

If Oregonians don't reduce the rate of their current shopping sprees, the state is on track to double its carbon emissions from stuff by 2025.

Create a carbon-cutting buddy system

Everyone knows it's easier to work out when you have someone counting on you to be at the gym at 5:30 a.m.

It makes it easier to stick with it, Mercer said, and making lifestyle changes is no different. This could be as simple as meeting a friend to shop at the farmer's market every week or signing up for classes or seminars together.

To get started you might consider the free seminar "Menu for the Future," a Northwest Earth Institute course on responsible food choices. The program is hosted in Salem this month through an AmeriCorps Community Action Project. For more information call (503) 566-4159 or go to www.nwei.org for similar courses.

Plant a tree

One tree absorbs about a ton of carbon dioxide during its life span. Those figures are hard to beat. And shade trees can also reduce cooling costs and emissions if they're positioned to block the summer sun. Do your homework and select a tree that is right for your climate and landscape.

If you need help consult the Great Plant Picks for the Pacific Northwest at www.greatplantpicks.org or call your local county extension agent.

Make your commute greener

Every gallon of gas you burn releases as much as 20 pounds of CO2, which is why cars are one of the biggest CO2 culprits.

That doesn't mean you need to kill your car. Instead think of little ways to make a difference. For example consider biking, taking the bus or ridesharing one or two days a week. The Salem-Keizer Transit Web site www.cherriots.org offers information about bus service, Cherriots Rideshare and Valley VanPool.

Or tackle two resolutions in one and ride a bike to work for physical and environmental fitness.

A commuter bike should be reasonably lightweight, durable, mechanically sound and include fenders, lights and a rack for groceries and other goods, said Joe Dobson with Bike Peddler in Salem. Expect to spend about $500 for the bike and all gear if you buy it new, he said. But compare that with potential savings from gas, parking and gym fees.

If you can't avoid driving, get the best mileage with regular maintenance, combining trips or see if you can telecommute once a week.

sknowlto@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6735