It's not so easy being green

As one who has always considered myself “green,” I was shocked to realize how much more I could be doing to help the Earth. I recently returned from the Governor’s School on the Environment and was enlightened by the speakers from various environmental fields. Here are some basic tips to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle: 1. Purchase fluorescent light bulbs. Each one will save about 250 pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere. 2. Use organic fertilizers. The excess chemicals often flow into rivers and streams, harming the plant and animal life essential to healthy ecosystems. 3. Purchase fruits and vegetables from the local farmer’s market. Grocery store fruit travels an average of 1800 miles before reaching the produce aisle. 4. Unplug electronics when not in use. Never leave your cell phone charging all night and unplug the charger during the day because electricity is still being wasted. 5. Buy fuel-efficient vehicles. The average American uses 31,350 gallons of gasoline throughout his lifetime, and each gallon burned releases 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide into the air. 6. Learn about the environmental stance of candidates. The planet cannot be saved unless elected officials pass stronger environmental legislation. For more information, watch the National Geographic video entitled Human Footprint. Kristine Rogers Sparta High School