MANILA, Philippines — On this first day of 2012, everyone’s thoughts are on the recent natural disasters that are blamed on man’s thoughtlessness and greed, which have led to the rape of forests and interference with Mother Nature’s forces.

Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental research organization based in Washington, D.C., has issued a guideline of  simple steps that can help reduce our impact on the environment.

As explained by Worldwatch president Robert Engelman, “the global community, and particularly people living in industrialized societies, have put unsustainable demands on our planet’s limited resources. If we expect to be able to feed, shelter and provide even basic living conditions to our growing population in years to come, we must act now to change.”

Hunger, poverty and climate change are issues that we can all help address. Here are simple steps to go green in 2012:

RECYCLE — Recycling programs help to save energy and protect the environment.  Put a separate container next to your office trash can, making it easier to recycle your bottles, cans and paper. At home, do this wherever there is a trash can.

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS —On the last Saturday in March—March 31 in 2012—millions of people, businesses and governments around the world turn off their lights for an hour as part of Earth Hour, a movement to address climate change. Earth Hour happens only once a year, but you can make an impact every day by turning off lights during bright daylight, or whenever you will be away for an extended period of time.

FORGET INCANDESCENT BULBS — In 2007, Australia became the first country to “ban the bulb,” drastically reducing domestic usage of incandescent light bulbs. By late 2010, incandescent bulbs had been totally phased out.  China also recently pledged to replace the 1 billion incandescent bulbs used in its government offices within five years.

 We can all contribute by switching to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which use only 20-30 percent of the energy required by incandescents to create the same amount of light, and LEDs use only 10 percent, helping reduce both electric bills and carbon emissions.

BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE — Plastic water bottles create huge environmental problems. The energy required to produce and transport these bottles could fuel an estimated 1.5 million cars for a year, yet approximately 75 percent of water bottles are not recycled—they end up in landfills, litter roadsides and pollute waterways and oceans. We can help the environment by avoiding disposable water bottles, packing our own water in reusable containers refilled from filtered water taps at home or from bulk containers bought from neighborhood water purifier stations. This will not only help the environment; it can save the family a lot of money in the long run.

WATCH THE THERMOSTAT – Adjusting the air conditioner’s thermostat and using an energy-saving model can reduce the electricity bill at home and in the office.

DO NOT THROW AWAY FOOD – Starting with what we have during this holiday season, make sure all food is kept at safe temperatures to avoid spoilage.  Coordinate with family members and friends to gather all excess food and distribute these to the needy, even in your own vicinity.  Your leftovers could be their feast.

BUY LOCAL – Researchers argue that local small businesses are more sustainable because they are often more accountable for their actions, have smaller environmental footprints and innovate to meet local conditions—providing models for others to learn from. Instead of relying exclusively on large supermarkets, consider farmers markets and local farms for your produce, eggs, dairy and meat. Food from these sources is usually fresher and more flavorful, and your money will be going directly to these food producers.

ALTERNATIVE RIDES – Driving to work has become almost prohibitive because of gas prices, parking dues and toll fee increases. Carpooling and use of public transport help reduce these expenses, and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In many cities around the world, the latest trend is bicycle sharing, a program that allows people to rent bikes for short-term use.

PLANT A GARDEN — Whether you live in a studio loft or a suburban home, growing your own vegetables is a simple way to bring fresh and nutritious food literally to your doorstep. Researchers at the FAO and the United Nations Development Program estimate that 200 million city dwellers around the world are already growing and selling their own food, feeding some 800 million of their neighbors. Growing a garden doesn’t have to take up a lot of space, and in light of high food prices and recent food safety scares, even a small plot can make a big impact on your diet and wallet.

COMPOST — And what better way to fertilize your garden than using your own composted organic waste. You will not only reduce costs by buying less fertilizer, but you will also help to cut down on food and other organic waste.

REDUCE MEAT CONSUMPTION — Livestock production accounts for about 18 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for about 23 percent of all global water used in agriculture. You don’t have to become a vegetarian or vegan, but by simply cutting down on the amount of meat you consume can go a long way. Consider substituting one meal a day with a vegetarian option.