As communities in Marin County California begin working together  in their new "Energy Democracy," Women's Energy Matters, a grassroots non-profit instrumental in the Marin Clean Energy movement, also encourages personal responsibility when it comes to fighting global warming. 

The perfect time to consider incorporating more “green living” into our personal lives is during the ongoing Holiday season: . the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25 - Jan. 6th), 7 days of Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 - Jan. 1) and Hanukkah (Dec. 21-29).

You bought  LED holiday lights to save energy and money.  You didn't leave them on all night.  You turned them off while you slept.. You sent E-mails instead of paper Holiday cards. You made your own gifts or bought gifts locally created by local artists and businesses who make their own goods and stayed away from the products over-packaged in plastic.  You used your dinnerware and flatware instead of the throwaways…

Now, here are 12 more ways to start your green New Year:

1. Keep in mind that everything on earth stays here and has an impact on earth’s creatures (including us). There is no such thing as “throw-away.” Reuse everything as long as possible, especially plastics, then recycle. Buy products that use recyclable materials whenever possible. Use non-toxic cleaning products and pest control. Check out Cheap, Clean, and Green and learn more about old-fashioned organic cleaning products like vinegar, borax, and baking soda.

2. Buy foods locally and buy what’s in season. This will put you directly in touch with Mother Nature, and greatly reduce your “carbon footprint.” It will also improve your “food security” — if you depend on food that is transported around the country and the world you are at risk of supply disruptions and cost increases due to fossil fuel prices. Check out Eat Local Challenge and FoodRoutes to get started. Find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food near you at LocalHarvest.

3. Build a compost pile in your back yard, deck or rooftop. Use that rich soil to nourish your garden or shrubbery, or get together with your neighbors and create a community garden.

4. Buy locally made products and local services. These dollars will circulate in your community, building everyone’s prosperity and supporting community services. Bring your own bags to the store. Given a choice between plastic and paper, opt for paper.

5. Shop smart. Choose eco-smart products and eco-friendly and holistic health products.

6. Use less energy wherever possible. Lower your thermostat and enjoy those beautiful new sweaters, robes and PJs. Actually use compact fluorescent light bulbs. (Newer CFLs are smaller so they fit ok in lamps, ceiling lights, bath fixtures and porch lights; they don’t flicker like the early ones, and colors are now much closer to old-style incandescents.) Turn off lights and energy strips when not in use (especially overnight). You'll find more on energy-efficient products and practices at Energy Star.

7. Use less water too. If you love long showers, take them less often and wash up at the sink on other days. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater too, wrap it up warm, and use low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets to save both water and energy. Set your washing machine to cold rinse (wash cycle too when you can). Wash towels after several uses. Learn about water scarcity. Find your local watershed and learn how to protect it.

8. Walk, jog, ride a bike; take public transportation if it’s available, and/or share cars. Connect with other commuters at eRideShare or use a car sharing service like Zipcar.

9. At holidays and birthdays, give your family and friends the gift of saving the earth. Donate to their favorite environmental group, foundation, or organization.

10. Give away your goods and find new ones at FreeCycle.

11. Put your money where your mouth is—invest green and local. Check out web sites like Co-op America's National Green Pages™and Solari.com.

12. Teach kids about the environment — and let them teach you too.

Special Thanks to Kathleen King for helping with our  "Beyond a Green Christmas" Tips!