By Anthony, Teen Portal Staff Writer
What do hybrid vehicles, rain barrels, yellow recycling bins, and mass transit all have in common? They are all common fixtures in the Green Movement that is sweeping the nation. Whenever you turn on the T.V. or read the newspaper, you are bombarded by headlines trumpeting the construction of new Green buildings, new emission-reducing initiatives or water-conservation campaigns. However, you might be wondering what you, as an Arlington teen, can do to join the Green Movement. Here are a few ideas:
Use Alternative Transportation to Get Around Arlington
Changing your traveling habits when you jet around the county is one way you can get involved with the Green Movement. Instead of hopping into a car to get to the mall or the movies, take advantage of Arlington County’s extensive public transportation network and resources. Metrobus and Arlington Transit (ART) stops as well as Metrorail stations are located all over the county. In addition, teens qualify for special discounts when they ride on ART. Teens, with a middle or high school I.D. pay only 60 cents for a one-way trip on the ART bus lines. Teens can also buy and use special iRide tokens (sold at Commuter Stores at $10 for 20 tokens) to ride the ART buses. If you would prefer to feel the wind in your hair, ride your bike or walk to complete nearby errands, Arlington County has over 30 miles of bike trails, and many streets feature bike lanes. By using alternative transportation, you can help to reduce emissions and shrink your own carbon footprint.
Volunteer to Clean Up Your Community
If you want to take a more direct approach to contributing to the Green Movement, consider volunteering to clean up your community. A simple search on Arlington County’s volunteer opportunity database brings up several pages of environment-related service projects. One group that is currently looking for teen volunteers is the Arlington Invasive Plants Program funded by Arlington County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. The group aims to combat invasive plant species by removing them from parks and other areas around the county. Be sure to check the database throughout the year for other opportunities such as stream and park cleanups.
Go Green at Home
Although you can go Green by using alternative transportation and volunteering to help an environmental cause, you can make the biggest difference by changing your habits at home. Always remember “the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.” First of all, reduce the amount of energy and water you consume. Remembering to turn off your lights when you leave the room and unplugging appliances when not in use can make a great difference in terms of energy consumption. You can also minimize heat and AC use to save energy. Try to also reduce the amount of time you take in the shower. This action will not only help you go green but also shrink your parents’ water bill. Decrease the amount of waste and garbage you throw out by reusing or donating items. Fill up a durable bottle (made of stainless steel or of an environmentally safe material) with tap water instead of relying on flimsy water bottles to quench your thirst. Instead of throwing out the clothes that no longer fit, donate them to a charity. Lastly, do not forget to recycle. Every week, you can recycle all different kinds of items ranging from cardboard to glass jars. Recycling drop off centers accept even more items including all types of plastic containers. By first changing your habits at home, you can get involved in the Teen Green Movement as well as educate others about going Green.
For more information about how you can join the Green movement, check out these links:
iRide: For more information about Arlington’s public transportation network, fares, and schedules.
Volunteering: For more information about volunteering to clean up parks.
Recycling: For more information about recycling.
Teen Green Movement Web site : For more information about teens going Green elsewhere in the nation.
International Youth Climate Movement Web site: For information about teens going Green around the world.
