A new year brings new resolutions, and the Indiana Department of Environmental (IDEM) is challenging Hoosiers to engage in environmentally responsible habits in 2009.

IDEM is kicking off January with a multiple-week program to encourage Indiana residents to complete the Hoosiers Care pledge; this online commitment helps to identify environmentallyfriendly changes that can be made during the first weeks of the new year.

"The Hoosiers Care Web site is a starting point for committing to conserve resources and reduce carbon footprints," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "We strongly recommend completing the online pledge form and becoming familiar with behaviors that can improve the environment."

Some of these behaviors include turning the water off when brushing your teeth and switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which are energy-efficient, moneysaving replacements for traditional incandescent light bulbs.

Changing your incandescent light bulb to a CFL reduces energy demand, which reduces the amount of coal burned and mercury emitted.

"We want to stress that one person can make a difference," Commissioner Easterly said. "It all starts with one person making a simple, small change. Multiply that small change by the six million Hoosiers living in Indiana and you create a large state-wide impact. That's an impact that can truly change the future."

Participating in Hoosiers Care is easy and free. The first step is to complete the pledge which asks participants to promise to take one easy step to start changing the future.

To take the Hoosiers Care pledge, visit www.HoosiersCare. IN.gov.