When you think of helping the environment, things like installing solar panels and switching to hybrid cars come to mind. While such actions are admirable, not everyone can afford the price for such a change. Because people are not usually conscious of the effect their every action has, the little things that impact the environment often go unnoticed. All it takes is a few minor changes that would even make Thoreau proud.

“I’d rather open the windowsill than turn the lights on. Besides, sunlight gives the skin Vitamin D and is much brighter than a lightbulb,” said senior Helen Tsui.

If it is one place on the AHS campus where actions majorly affect the world, it is the bathroom. The test begins with the sinks. Instead of turning on the water and then applying soap, bathroom-goers should reverse the first two steps of washing hands. Students often forget the third and most crucial step: turning off the water. According to the Alameda Water County District, a leaky faucet can waste up to 100 gallons a day.

“Going green” is not just respectful to the environment, it is logical.

“I go green by recycling and preventing forest fires,” said senior Preston Gomez.

Eating locally grown foods is one of the best gifts anyone can have on the environment. Blueberries labeled “grown in Chile” or papayas that have been shipped from Hawaii mean more than just a lengthy ride to the supermarket. Those thousands of miles leads to a big carbon footprint for a small box of fruit. Eating locally has far less severe consequences for the environment than food that is shipped from great distances.

Reducing carbon footprints doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly. All it takes is a little bit of though that can put one’s actions leaving the environment like we found it. Therefore, the next time the cashier asks “paper or plastic?” you should reply with “neither, I brought my own bag.”

Here are a few tips of how to go green:

1. Install a compact fluorescent bulb-- it’s the easiest way to save energy and money

2. Skip the bottled water-- use a water filter at home or bring a reusable bottle to school

3. Buy in bulk-- it saves money, packaging, and fuel

4. Recycle your electronics-- or end up in a chemical-filled, heavy metal atmosphere

5. Fix that drip-- repair your leaky sinks, toilets, showers

6. Do full loads of laundry, you’ll save money, power, and energy

7. Save water, save money-- take shorter showers and turn off faucets when not in use

8. Less gas, more money-- walk to school

9. Buy local foods-- purchasing from local farmers keep money in the local economy

10. Borrow instead of buy-- borrow a book from the library or rent a movie