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Posts Tagged ‘Green Life’ Being a ‘green’ teen is easier than you thinkFriday, August 1st, 2008Alaa Itani, 15, is entering her junior year at Portage Central High School and the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center. She is co-leader of the Portage Central High School Environmental Club and has participated in the Portage Central Rotary Club and History Club. She has won several awards for forensics and debate. This summer, she plans to volunteer at KAMSC, where she will be co-president of the Student Senate. She also has volunteered with the Portage District Library and Portage Community Outreach Center. She also enjoys tennis. Her mentor is Stephanie Esters. Student club is living example of ‘green’ life By Alaa Itani Simply walk within the halls of Portage Northern High School, and the Environmental Club’s presence is immediately apparent, with a huge poster of the group in the center stairwell. Besides just being environmentally friendly themselves, group members run a recycling program within the school, planted a rain garden on school grounds to help reduce pollution, host the school’s Spring Cleanup competition (classes compete to best clean up school grounds) and educate classmates with tips on how to help the environment. The Environmental Club also has participated in the Portage Environmental Council’s Garlic Mustard weed pull at the West Lake Nature Preserve; helped the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy on work days; and helped the Kalamazoo Nature Center with its maple syrup festival. In addition, members reach out to the community by holding Earth Day Celebrations at Angling Road and Haverhill elementary schools in Portage. “My favorite activity was Earth Day,” said Desi Taylor, future co-leader of the Environmental Club. “It was so much fun to see little kids learning about how to save the earth and having a good time.” The club is showing that one is never too young to help change the world. Cody Hough, co-leader of Portage Northern High School’s Environmental Club, doesn’t let his youth keep him from joining the fight to combat environmental issues. “I believe it’s important to help the environment today,” said Hough, “because if it’s not helped today, it won’t be here tomorrow.” Hough’s statement is supported by scientists who say the evidence exists that proves the urgency to act now. The scourge of global warming is getting the most ink. In fact, earlier this year Hollywood put global warming in the spotlight when it gave an Academy Award to an environmental documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” So, you might ask, what’s the big deal with global warming? We’re glad you asked. Why care According to Joyce Penner, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Michigan, global temperatures have been increasing at a faster rate during the last 50 years because of greenhouse gases being produced by human activities, such as driving vehicles that burn fossil fuels. Global warming is making the water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle — the continuous exchange of water between atmosphere, land, surface and subsurface waters and organisms — occur more rapidly. And that, Penner and others believe, has meant longer droughts and more intense rainfall. Increases in global warming could change Michigan’s ecosystem makeup, which affect wildlife populations, reduce water supplies, increase concentrations of the ozone gas at ground level (This increase can cause asthma.) and reduce forested areas by as much as 50 percent to 70 percent, according to the Web site for the National Wildlife Federation. Members of Portage Northern’s Environmental Club have participated in the Adopt-A-Beach program for four years, officially adopting the Van Buren State Park in South Haven during 2004. Other big environmental issues in Michigan are protecting the Great Lakes from pollution (such as from the millions of gallons of raw sewage being dumped in the lakes) and from the 180 invasive species which upset the balance of Michigan’s ecosystems, according to Hugh McDiarmid Jr., communications director of the nonprofit, nongovernmental Michigan Environmental Council. These and other environmental threats, as unfortunate as they may sound, are not hopeless. Some pointers
Environmentalists say teens can take small steps to help. Impress your friends with how “green” — that is, environmentally friendly — you can be by using some of these tips:
Living Green and the FutureMonday, July 28th, 2008Author: Michael Bridges In this article I want to take a look at two possible worlds. One, a world where everyone has embraced the living green way of life and the other where living green never quite caught on. I just want to say up front that these two worlds aren’t based on any research by experts. These are merely forecasts as I see them based on my observations. First lets look at a future world that is a result of everybody embracing the living green way of life. In this world everybody is happier and healthier. Because of usage of alternative fuels and energies there’s cleaner air due to the lack of carbon and other harmful emissions. With cleaner air and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables people started feeling better and exercising more, which made them healthier. With the reduction of toxic emissions along with the reduction of trees being killed and more being planted the ozone was able to repair itself, which averted the green house effect and also helped us rid ourselves of deceases caused by exposure to harmful sun rays. Because of using cleaner energy sources we were able to stop water pollution, which gave us more fish as a food resource, which also makes you healthier. As you know when you’re healthy and happy you’re friendlier, which reduced violence. Is this future world possible? Maybe not in the near future, but if we all adopted living green as a why of life our future generation could live in this world. Now let’s see what a future world might be where living green didn’t catch on. The population has been greatly reduced because of illness, violent crime and war. The ozone is greatly damaged. That and the polluted air cause people to spend most of their time inside. Wars are fought to control the depleting energy resources and only the ultra rich can afford to buy gas. Pollution of our water and land for toxic chemicals being dumped from industrial factories has greatly reduced our food supplies causing rationing and an increase in violent crime in order to have something to eat. Brown outs and even black outs are commonplace in order to stretch our energy reserves. Global warming has melted the polar caps causing a sever change in our climate. The prognosis for this world is very bleak. Both of these future worlds may or may not be an exaggeration of what could be, but how close are they? What do you think a future world would be like if living green is embraced or if it is rejected? Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/living-green-and-the-future-457770.html About the Author:
What Does Living Green Mean to YouMonday, July 28th, 2008Author: Michael Bridges I think everybody has the same basic concept of what living green is. Basically it’s making the earth healthier so that we, the inhabitants, can live healthier. But beyond that what does it mean to you on a personal level? Are your reasons for living green humanitarian or personal? What are some of the personal reasons people might choose for living green? Well, finances for one. Gas prices are very high right now and getting higher. Switching to biofuel or another fuel alternative might help cut down on carbon emissions, but it can also keep more money in your pocket. Using those energy efficient compact florescent bulbs may be a part of living green, but they also save you money on your energy bill. Another personal reason for living green can be health. Followers of living a green life stress giving up or reducing meat consumption. This is also a health issue for someone with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart problems. Green household products are good for the environment, but there also good for health conditions like allergies. Ego can be a personal reason for living green. Living green is really big and getting bigger so showing people that you have conformed to the green way of life can you some pats on the back. It can be a big boost to the ego when you are being congratulated for something you’re doing. Living green is very important in the longevity of this planet. So whatever reason you have chosen to embrace living green, personal or humanitarian, just doing so helps us all. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/what-does-living-green-mean-to-you-457771.html About the Author:
Easing Into the Green Living LifestyleMonday, July 28th, 2008Author: IC As global warming continues to be a major concern for the future of our planet, people are starting to turn to green living practices to help save it for future generations. Green living involves every aspect of our daily lives - from driving to work to mowing our lawns. Making the switch to green living all at once might scare most people away from implementing those earth-friendly changes. There are many ways to ease into this practice and still help save the earth’s environment. Air pollution is a major problem for some cities. A lot of it comes from the factories, but that’s not the only avenue contributing to global warming. Automobiles give off a fair amount of pollutants into the air. When you have a lot of cars driving around on the city streets, you’re multiplying the amounts of pollutants being emitted by each car that’s destroying our ozone. If you want to save the environment, you can start by either car pooling, walking more instead of driving or even purchasing hybrid models that don’t do as much damage. This small change can bring much relief for the environment for future generations. There are many ways to adapt green living into your life by taking a look at your home. What kind of bulbs are you using? The standard bulbs we use only contribute to higher electricity bills and more carbon dioxide. If you switch at least some of your standard bulbs with the compact fluorescent bulbs, you can save the environment while saving on your electric bill. Make sure to seal any gaps around windows and doors to keep any cold drafts from blowing into the house, which can cost you more money. Make sure the house is well insulated to help cut down on those costs in the wintertime. The less the furnace or heater has to run, the better off everyone will be. Take a look at your appliances. Are they devouring too much energy? If they’re older models, the answer is probably yes. While some of the changes are in the appliances that you use, other ways to go green involve your own habits and actions. Do you open the oven door several times to check and see if something is done? The harder an appliance has to work, the harder it is on the environment. If you keep opening the oven door, the temperature will drop almost 25 degrees. It will then have to work harder to get back to the original temperature. Recycling is an excellent way to save our environment. Try to buy as many products as you can that can be recycled. Avoid the non-recyclable items such as Styrofoam cups. The less trash that has to be burned - or buried into our soil - the better off our planet will be. These small changes may seem like they couldn’t help much for the environment, but they can help tremendously. Every little bit we do is a much-needed step toward reserving natural resources for our future generations. Get involved with the environment and start to make a difference in the practice of green living for our earth.! Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/easing-into-the-green-living-lifestyle-369548.html About the Author:
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