Rats have never got a good rap in the Western world, so it may seem strange that the rat is one of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Being first in the cycle, the coming Year of the Rat is especially significant as it symbolizes renewal and a new beginning. At the time when the health of our planet is in such a dire state, this Chinese New Year wouldn't be a bad time to start being a little more environmentally conscious.

Traditional Chinese society has always been eco-friendly and nature revering. Our forefathers had the wisdom to take advantage of the New Year to celebrate life, hope, and joy - naturally.

Unfortunately, this is no longer true of our practices these days. Just about everything in our New Year practices oblige us to pollute, waste, and harm others as well as ourselves.

The good news is that there are many ways to be friendly to the environment and still respect tradition. Here are some ideas on how we can have a good time and still be a responsible global citizen in celebration of the Year of the Rat:

Cleaning:

Chinese New Year tradition dictates we clean our house from top to bottom before the New Year.

Do a thorough holistically cleansing (body, mind, and soul).

Don't be a pack rat. Simplify your life.

Recycle, donate, or find a creative way to reuse things you don't really need or plan on throwing away.

Use environmentally friendly cleaners. Be kind to the rats.

Start anew. If your New Year's resolution has already failed, here's another chance to kick that bad habit.

Food:

The New Year's Eve reunion dinner is undoubtedly one of the most important meals of the year, when family members near and far get together. These days, the distances traveled can be incredible. Here's how you can make it all the more special by being kind to your body and the environment:

Eat in. Traditionally, the reunion dinner would be celebrated in the comfort of our own homes. Stay true to tradition and be kind to your body and your pockets.

Waste less. Tradition calls for our family reunion dinner to be lavish and plentiful, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take home the leftovers.

Be kind to the ecosystem and endangered species. Impress your relatives not with your wealth but with your wisdom by skipping the shark fins, abalone and endangered fish.

Choose more vegetarian dishes. They are better for your health, the environment, and are a shortcut towards longevity.

Decorations:

Home decoration is mandatory practice, but it has also become a very lavish and wasteful affair.

Buy potted plants that will keep on growing for the rest of the year instead of cut flowers. Your home will be beautiful and filled with luck, longevity and prosperity all year round.

Add a personal touch by making your own decorations. Practice your Chinese calligraphy by writing your own faicuns and couplets.

Save money and resources by reusing your decorations. They will stay fashionable year after year.

Activities:

Chinese New Year is the golden opportunity to take a break from the rat race, but instead of visiting the Flower Markets and watching the New Year Parade for the ninth time, here are a few ideas of things you can do:

Get away from the crowds and pollution and enjoy nature's bounty and blessings. Visit the country parks and go hiking, star gazing or bird watching.

Make good use of the holidays to re-connect with family members, relatives, and long-time friends.

Stay on the safe side of the law. Skip the fireworks and firecrackers and give the fire department and cleaning staff a well-earned rest. See the real thing if there's going to be a large scale fireworks or firecracker display in your city.

Cut down on your carbon footprint by taking a vacation nearby instead of on the other side of the world.

Shopping:

In the same way that Christmas has become a celebration of materialism in the western world, Chinese New Year is becoming increasingly commercial in China. Our ancestors would never have approved of being a spendthrift. Here are some suggestions on ways to spend wisely:

Buy eco-friendly gifts. Choose durable ones that the recipients will truly use and enjoy.

Buy new clothes only if you truly need them. What about the almost new shirt you got for Christmas but haven't really worn?

Instead of using brand new banknotes for lai-see, plan ahead and try to collect nearly new ones. This will minimize waste of printing a large number of new ones for the occasion.

May your upcoming year be as prosperous as a well-fed rat!

(HK Edition 01/29/2008 page4)