Going Green

I told you it was coming. I warned you. You should have been prepared for this.

It’s time to start thinking, people. Do you know how many of us nationwide don’t recycle? Or how many of us continue to waste valuable energy and water without even thinking about it? What I’m trying to say is, most of us don’t care. The biggest priorities in our everyday lives are what’s on TV, who’s online, and where we can take the car. In doing all those things, we’re not thinking. Or, should I say, you aren’t.

I don’t know, maybe you’re like me and actually think about what you’re doing before you do it, while you do it, or after you’ve done it. You could be the biggest tree-hugger around. But there aren’t many who would be willing to take the time to turn off their lights, walk, or handwash dishes.

I do as much as I can to help without going completely radical about it. In my room, I connect most of my electronic devices (I have far too many) to a power strip, so that, when I’m not using them, I can just flip the switch. The things I don’t have connected to the strip are unplugged whenever I’m not using them, like my lamp and alarm clock.

I try to turn on the least amount of lights that I can—especially during the day, when I don’t need to. I’m always barking at my brother to refrain from using so much light when he’s just playing computer games. When he’s watching two TV’s at once (same channel, of course), I make sure to turn one off. I hate it when my dad leaves the TV on when he goes to work outside. But you can’t change other people.

One thing my family does do is make sure the dishwasher is completely full before running it—same with the washing machine. You shouldn’t ever be in a rush to wash a few articles of clothing at a time or a few dishes…they can wait. Same with leaving the water running (you don’t need it on while brushing your teeth!). I’m working on those shorter showers, of course. The hair makes that one a pain.

It doesn’t take that much effort to help out. The things my family does are small, but it still has plenty of potential to make a difference in our suffering environment. You can easily towel-dry your hair, unplug your electronics before you leave for school, or walk the two blocks to your friend’s house rather than waste gas driving. You could ride your bike to the store or even to school, or take the bus, or carpool. Take the train downtown, don’t bring your car to college, and get off Facebook.

There are so many things you could do that could easily become habits, if you’d let them. Right now, I’m pretty sure the only electronic devices being used in my house are this computer and my mom’s laptop downstairs. The point I’m desperately trying to get across is that IT’S NOT HARD. I promise, a day without the Internet won’t kill you. Spend a Saturday at the park instead.

Recycle! How hard is it to re-use paper or toss a pop can in the recycle bin? Get one of those eco-friendly water bottles instead of constantly throwing away those awful plastic ones. For God’s sake, carry a lunchbox! No one really cares how old you are. Decorate it with things you like and think about how nice you’re being to your planet. Wrap all your food in plastic-wrap and recycle that, too. Do your best not to throw much away when you’re done.

Schools could really do a lot to help, if they would take the time to do so. Teachers could put articles and worksheets online, instead of making hundreds of copies that kids are just going to throw away eventually anyway. They could e-mail out announcements, instead of handing out newsletters that don’t even make it home half the time. I don’t even use the one textbook I have—so why give it to me at all? Give announcements over the school-wide intercom, instead of printing posters to stick up everywhere (no one ever reads them, trust me). Give kids trays instead of paper plates and paper cups…washing dishes isn’t that horrible. Stop being lazy.

Just type “going green” into Google and see what you find. Some of the facts are pretty interesting.

For NaNoWriMo 2009, I’ll be working on a novel titled Going Green, about a girl’s choice to quietly help the environment, and a boy’s choice to befriend her. Or love her.

Have a great Sunday, and remember: every little thing you do counts.

Love&hugs, Meg♥