The year 2010 will likely go down in U.S. history as one of our worst environmentally, considering the world's largest-ever oil spill took place and the dead-end on Capitol Hill in shaping a new energy policy.  

There were some "green" lights along the way, however, both nationally and locally, which may help define the new year and beyond, including:

• National stimulus funds totaling more than $300 million went to state incentive programs for swapping out old appliances for energy efficient ones, of which $18.7 million was handed out to New Yorkers. 
• Two major environmental laws passed in Albany -- the School Grounds Pesticide Ban and the BPA ban in products for infants.
• A variety of environmentally friendly trends truly mushroomed, from our trading in plastic bags for canvas ones at many retailers to an expanded New York Green Fashion Week in which designers hyped animal-free, fair trade, organic or recycled materials.
• Another trend, this one perhaps caused by the current economic downturn, growing and eating "local" and taking a "staycation" took root, as did ecotourism and purchasing carbon offsets for those who did travel. 
• Home Depot and other retailers boasted aisles of CFL and LED lights and light bulbs this year as never before, as fluorescents go the way of land-line telephones.
• Renewable energy took a few more carbon footsteps on Long Island this year. Although a wind farm off the South Shore is still being studied, many Long Islanders chose backyard wind turbines, solar electricity, solar hot water and geothermal energy options. 

What about next year?

Next year is likely to continue its greener path, one that each of us can help to widen. While only a handful of us may purchase one of the electric or hybrid cars now on the market, and maybe only a few dozen of us will have solar panels installed on our rooftops, simple and fuss-free "green" new year's resolutions are available to all of us.

Reduce plastic usage by drinking tap instead of bottled water perhaps.

Better yet, save a tree by choosing direct deposit of our paychecks and reading your local news online right here!

Another "green" new year's resolution?  Just becoming more aware of how our daily activities and actions may impact our planet may be helpful. To do that, check out a carbon footprint calculator, such as the ones at the following websites: The Nature Conservancy, Earth Lab, or  University of California at Berkeley.

Happy green new year to you and our little patch of land, Planet Earth!