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Surely you fulfilled all of the green resolutions you set for 2009 and your only problem now—aside from deciding how to outdo yourself next year—is figuring out the greenest but most exciting way to spend New Year's Eve.
Here's a sampler of some of the greenest events to close out the year.
New York City: New Year's Eve Bike Ride & After-party
Put some gloves on, hop on your bike, and join the Time's Up NYE bike ride. If you miss the ride, you can catch up with them in Central Park and crash the party instead (in festive clothes, of course) at the Belvedere Castle at 11:45 pm.
New York City: Midnight Run
For the even-more athletically ambitious, you can ring in the new year by running four miles at midnight in Central Park. Or sign up for the New Year's Eve Fun Run in Prospect Park. If you're not a runner, you can walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Not in NYC? Find an event near you—midnight runs are happening all over the place, including in the beautiful-sounding Boulder City, Nevada: the Desert Dash Moonlight Madness.
In Many Cities: Downward Dog into the New Year
What better way to start the new year in a peaceful state of mind? Look for yoga events near you like Jivamukti's annual New Year's celebration.
Both Coasts: Glam It Up at Green Clubs
If you're going glam this New Year's, look for a club that serves up organic cocktails, saves water in its bathrooms, dresses their staff in organic clothing, and takes other steps to lighten their (and your own) carbon footprint. If you're in NYC, spend NYE at the LEED-certified Greenhouse and in LA, try the Ecco Ultra Lounge. (LA is also offering free public transporation—because DUIs are for Suckers. Not in LA? Look for a safe ride program in your own city—mass transit is always the greener and healthier way to go, but especially on New Year's, it's safer, too.)
Philadelphia: Enjoy a Night of Eco-friendly Eats
Look for listings near you like the 7-course vegan prix fixe offered at Philly's Horizons restaurant.
Wherever You Are: The Party at Your House
By throwing your own party, you control the shade of green (not to mention the strength of the drinks!) So do it right! Find some organic bubbly for champagne cocktails and stir up some green drinks and show your friends how green fun is done.
Sydney: Celebrating the Future of New Year's?
Perhaps outshining all these events, however, is Sydney, Australia, which is not only throwing a zero-waste, carbon-neutral New Year's Eve bash, but encouraging individuals to turn over a new green leaf and pledge to make changes in their own lives, from eating less meat to stopping the junk mail they receive.
Three cheers for Sydney—but instead of, say, flying to Australia to celebrate (and undoing all the carbon neutrality in just a single flight), we should instead be working to get other cities to follow Sydney's lead.
The Times Square ball is definitely heading in the right direction—this year not only is the ball using LED lights, but the numbers in 2010 are lit with LEDs as well—but that's still just a start. Because the goal, of course, is a truly green—not just greener—new year.
More on celebrating a green New Years:
Countdown to a Sustainable 2010
How to Go Green: New Year's
What's So Green About the Times Square Ball Drop This New Year's Eve? A Lot.
Get Ready for the New Year with Countdown to a Sustainable 2010
Tips for green drinking:
How to Make Your Own Infused Vodka
How to Go Green: Cocktails
Save Leftover Champagne
