Make The World A Better Place, Sip By Sip

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet?

I just got started on mine. The first one on the list was to stop procrastinating. The next one was to stop making my editor, Scott Wilson, have fits by barely meeting deadlines.

Having failed at both of those already, I decided maybe I would focus on making the world a better place. At least if I didn't do a very good job at that, poor Scott wouldn't be pulling out chunks of hair.

But then I realized that I could make small but significant environmental contributions to our planet just by making some choices in what I put in my glass every day. So, here are a few environmentally friendly resolutions for some of my favorite beverages:

Make A Difference Each Morning

Many coffee purveyors offer certified organic coffee. This means that the beans have been cultivated without the use of chemicals, including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides or herbicides, which can run off into nearby streams.

Fewer chemicals that don't belong in rivers and creeks means a much healthier life for those critters that live in there.

Also, many organic coffees are shade-grown, a practice that has evolved as an alternative to environmentally harsh "slash-and-burn" growing methods. Shade-grown coffee thrives under a canopy of trees that provide a refuge for migratory birds. It also helps extend the growing season, resulting in plump, mature coffee berries -- and that means a tastier cuppa joe each morning for you.

Many teas are also cultivated organically, so if you prefer a spot of tea instead of java, you can still make a more environmentally sound choice.

Something Fishy

Did you know that your glass of Pinot Noir could help save endangered or threatened salmon and other fish?

At least one organization, Salmon Safe is partnering with vineyards and wineries to help them cultivate techniques that lessen the impact of their practices on water quality.

For instance, in Oregon, which is a rising star in the production of world-class wines, Salmon Safe is teaching vineyard and winery owners practices that will keep silt from their hillside vineyards from running into nearby streams, which could threaten local salmon populations.

A Pint Of Prevention

Beer is another area that is turning organic.

To be a truly organic beer, the brewer must use all certified organic ingredients. It usually costs a bit more to purchase these ingredients, but an increasing number of brewers are brewing at least a few organic beers in their lineup.

If you can find them, Fish Brewing Co., in Olympia, Wash., and Wolaver's (which also makes organic hard cider) are two brands to seek out. An organic import worth looking for is the organic line from Samuel Smith's in England.

Think Globally, Drink Locally

Lastly, no matter what your beverage of choice, I would like to make a toast to supporting the Davids in this world of Goliaths.

When you seek out your local coffee and tea purveyor, winery, brewery or soda-pop maker, you are supporting your neighbor. You are also backing up someone who is entering a very competitive market for the most honest and basic of reasons: passion.

And believe it or not, you can taste passion -- in every sip of the beverage they serve.