These days it's all about the green.
No, not cash - we all know that is hard to come by. It's about attempting to live as eco-friendly as possible.
Some people understand what it takes to be green, while others take whatever green measures they can, while still enjoying their regular lifestyle.
And then there is the rest of the population, with those who either don't understand the trend or just believe changing to a more sustainable lifestyle is too expensive.
For those who have not yet caught the green fever, the whole trend is actually a pretty simple (and understandable) concept.
Going green has become very appealing in recent times - this is mostly due to the rising awareness of the impacts of greenhouse emissions and global warming.
Global warming used to be a debated issue, with many wondering whether it was truly happening or just another planetary cycle that has been occurring over at least the past 800,000 years.
Yet, it has been suggested by the scientific community and backed by the World Health Organization that global warming is no longer a debatable topic.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), it has been concluded that in the past century, mainly since the Age of Industrialization, human-induced processes have increased the earth's climate more rapidly than natural processes would have.
"We know that an increase in greenhouse gases from the use of energy from fossil fuels and other human activities is associated with the warming of the Earth's surface," said Dr. James R. Mahoney, now former assistant secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and director of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.
This statement, reported by the USGS, only confirmed their beliefs.
Between global warming and the peak of oil production, more and more people have felt they need to take measures to conserve resources, reduce carbon emissions and be more mindful about what they can do to stop polluting our freshwater resources.
Many things can be done to help conserve resources so our future generations can enjoy the type of lifestyle the current population has.
It is up to each and every individual how far they are willing to take it.
For those who are very serious about going green, they could implement plans such as living off the grid and powering their home using solar or wind sources.
For students, a more feasible solution is to implement small things into their everyday life.
While these minor changes won't necessarily change an entire lifestyle, combined with others' efforts, they can make a distinct difference.
For instance, students may not be in a position to purchase Energy Star appliances. But students wishing to "green" their lives can do simple things such as conserving water by turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth.
They could also hang dry their clothing, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, turn off computer and printer when not in use and turn off the lights when leaving a room to conserve energy.
Instead of driving to work, school, a restaurant, etc., one could walk, ride a bike or use public transit to reduce carbon emissions and the dependence on foreign oil.
Trees are an important resource because they help reduce carbon dioxide.
In an effort to conserve this resource, one can print double-sided papers, take electronic notes, keep electronic records and recycle paper goods.
Recycling plastics is a good idea too. Many marine animals are killed every year due to mistaking the plastic bags that enter the ocean for food.
And recycling appliances, light bulbs and batteries helps keep toxic mercury out of our landfills, soil and the hydrological cycle.
All of these ideas can be done at little or no cost, therefore removing the notion that being green is too expensive.
Yes, buying organic food can be slightly more costly, but buying locally grown foods at the Brookside or City Market reduces carbon emissions since it does not use fuel to transport the food.
And, generally, it is fresher too. If you just can't swing it on your college budget, another option is to grow your own food either alone or by joining a co-op.
The Internet also provides a lot of resources to learn about changes you can make to benefit the environment.
There are Web sites, such as www.myfootprint.org, that provide a quizzes to explain how many earths would be needed to sustain your lifestyle if everybody on the planet lived by the same means as you.
You can also go back and adjust your answers to determine where you can make the most significant changes to help lower your ecological footprint.
The fact of the matter is, there are many ways to help the environment.
The list could literally go on and on. The key is to pick a few things that are realistic for you and make them a habit.
It won't be long before your efforts become routine, and you will feel great for making a difference not only for the planet, but for future generations.
kkates@unews.com
