GreenScream

I recently came across a blog with the argument that old school CDs were the way to go. It said that there was nothing better than holding a physical CD in ones hand, which to some extent I agree with. But what about from the point of view of the environment? Look at a CD’s packaging. The plastic case, the CD it self, the paper to make the sleeve. And one you obtain the CD, it is loaded right into iTunes, and then never really pay much mind to the CD again. So instead, buy your music on iTunes or another legal internet music database. So why not put your own 5 seconds of enjoyment aside, and just go digital!

I just got a new waterbottle from Sigg, and I love it. It is 33oz. and is metal. Mine is gray, and says “Make Love, Not Landfill” on one side, and “ECO-Logical” on the other. My mom got a really pretty royal blue one, and my stepdad got a boring gray one without a saying. But they have crazy colors and designs, and water bottles in all sizes. You can even get interchangeable lids. It does come with a funky smell, so I washed it with my biodegradable dish soap, made by Seventh Generation, and the smell went away. It doesn’t really hold temperature that well. I put water from my Brita in it, and the bottle became colder than the water. But other than that, I think that this is a great investment for my family. Not only will we save money, but we are saving the enviornment. I encourage everyone to buy the bottles, available on the website (linked above). I do aprichiate what Poland Spring is trying to do, making they’re bottles have less plastic, but really, Sigg is the way to go!!

This morning was very unusual at my school. The first two periods where used for something called “Buddy Activities”. Normally, these activities include drawing pictures with the 2nd and 3rd graders, or playing games like tag and knockout with the 6th graders. The Juniors always have the 7th grade, something I was not looking forward to. I thought they would be too cool for us, and not participate. I thought we would be doing some kind of activity like “board games” but this morning was different. It was a conversation about how we could make our school a more sustainable place. I was so happy that this was what this morning was devoted to, but I was still worried that these 7th graders would not be interested in it. We split into a small group, there were four Juniors and four 7th graders at my table. It took the kids a couple of minutes to warm up, but soon they were contributing to the conversation. I (of course) had a lot to say, and I noticed that these kids had as much to say as I did.

They came up with great ideas, and they agreed that our school needs a green roof. They said that we needed more recycling bins, and the ones that are already there need to be more visable. They said we should have a “green sale” once a month, where we raise money either for green organizations or for our schools own “green funds”.

I must say I was very impressed with the conversation. I can’t say I was pationate about anything when I was 7th grade. The only thing I cared about was boys and what I was wearing. It definitly set a very good tone for my day.

One thing bothered me, and it wasn’t the juvinile comments or horney middle school boys. It was the snack. We had a snack after the discussion, and I ate a very good brownie. But the had HUGE paper plates AND napkins! I saw both 7th graders and 11th graders walking by with a huge napkin, a huge plate, and on that plate one little donut hole. This bothered me, and I actually said something about it. It seemed a little hypocritical to me.

Other than that, it was a great morning that made me have a really good day. I think that more kids (or are they pre-teens?) should be enviornmentally involved. I am really happy with the steps my school is taking to be green.

Compost: I am annoyed that this is not more of a thing that everybody does. I think it should be. I feel like everyone should have a compost pile. I live in an apartment complex with a good amount of grass for it being in New York City, and I want to start a compost pile. Also, I want to start one in my school. Although I go to a very small school that has absolutly no vegitation, a compost pile would be beneficial. These are of course small steps to what I would really like to see done: green roofs with solar pannels. I have done some research, Green Roofs cost between $15-$40 per square foot. I should talk to the enviornmental club (I should actually join the enviornmental club) and see what can be done. It just really bothers me when I know something can be done, but it isn’t happening. I think of my high school kind of like an Oberlin, and we should be as environmentally forward. It just always frusterates me.

Another thing that bothers me: my family’s use of water bottles. My parents are both big water drinkers, and they insist on buying plastic water bottles. Everyday I bother them about it, telling them to invest the $20 in an aluminum water bottle, like the Sigg Water Bottle (Nalgenes are also pretty bad) and they act as if they are going to do something, but rarely ever do.

One last thing. My stepbrother keeps his TV on ALL night long. I mean, does he really need to be watching that much TV in the first place. He falls asleep at like 10 and the TV stays on all night.

So I am trying to think of ways to remind the people around me how important it is to be green. I’m thinking of leaving little notes around my house.

This weekend, I went on a trip to Ohio to look at colleges. Friday was spent at Kenyon College, and Saturday I went to Oberlin. When I got to Oberlin, I felt as if I were right at home. I was amazed that there was a college devoted to the environment. While eating lunch on campus, I saw a pick up truck filled with compost drive by. I decided that a school’s contribution to the environment is essential for me, and I don’t want to go somewhere that doesn’t care about being sustainable. A sustainable college is where I want to go, and right now, Oberlin is at the top of my list.