 "Photo: Illustration by Oscar Chacon Photo by Romi Singh")
It's not easy being green.
Just ask Kermit the Frog, the Wicked Witch of the West and Chico State students.
In an Orion survey, 100 students weighed in on how "green" they think they and Chico State are.
Compost bins, growing food, going vegan, buying fair-trade, buying local, buying organic and buying Klean Kanteans are all ways students have gone green.
"There's never enough," senior Becky Desfor wrote on her survey. "Though, there are some great programs at Chico State, and I hope they continue to grow."
Being green is contagious, Desfor said. The more students are aware of being green, the more likely the word will spread.
One of the ideas Desfor had for another green program was an "anti-red-beer-pong cup campaign."
Other suggestions in the surveys included increasing awareness and education about going green, "A Day Without Cars," more and less expensive green food options, solar panels, water conservation, Bell Memorial Union compost and the passing of the advisory measure.
Students acknowledged roadblocks to being green.
Republicans and other "capitalistic greed" were cited as some of the biggest challenges. But the biggest barrier for students proved to be money.
But other student's disagree.
"It's surprising that students are worried about money when going green," said senior Deanna Dottai, A.S. assistant sustainability coordinator. "Going green can actually save you money in the long run, as in a couple of months."
Putting a brick or a milk jug in the toilet tank, shortening shower time, using cold water to wash clothes, riding bikes and walking were all ways students could both be green and save money, she said. Using these and other methods helped Dottai get her PG&E bill down to about $30 a month.
"There are a 101 ways to go green for cheaper and free," said Dottai, who writes "Staying Sustainable" on A-2.
Dottai did a cost-analysis of buying produce at the farmers market versus Chico Natural Food and Safeway and found she actually saved about $60 a month when she bought from the farmers market, she said.
The real challenge is educating students about how to be sustainable and why it's important, Dottai said.
Many of the students surveyed cited a lack of education on what being green is, as a primary concern.
"People need to realize how easy it is - a little goes a long way," said senior Emily Murphy. "In Chico, it is so easy to be green; even the stores advocate it."
Murphy isn't involved in any specific pro-green clubs on campus, but is willing to volunteer if asked, she said. She also tries to spread the importance of recycling to her friends and nine roommates.
"The administration pushes being green a lot, but students don't seem to care, and I don't know how to make them care," Murphy said.
Other students did not share Murphy or Dottai's enthusiasm. One student said the green movement's biggest challenge was for supporters to get past their reputation of being "pushy hippies." While another said going green is "no big deal" and inconvenient.
But of those surveyed, these responses were the minority. Far more students didn't think they knew enough about being green, something the Institute for Sustainable Development, which Dottai works for, is trying to correct with tabling and other outreach programs.
Every person can make an impact, Dottai said.
"Thinking, 'Oh I'm just one person,' is a terrible group mentality," Dottai said. "I try and think, 'I'm one less person.'"
Stephanie Maynard can be reached at smaynard@theorion.com
10 ways to "go green"
1. Use a reusable container instead of plastic water bottles and bring your own to-go coffee mug.
2. Use a reusable bag rather than paper or plastic shopping bags.
3. Change out fluorescent light bulbs with energy savers.
4. Unplug big-screen TVs and other appliances that "glow" when you're not using them - This includes TVs, phone chargers and computers. Disconnect the power strips all of these appliances are plugged into when not using them.
5. Recycle old electronics.
6. Buy local produce and goods - most fruit and vegetables in stores have traveled thousands of miles, which uses more fuel and causes pollution.
7. Conserve water. Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth. Make sure dish and laundry loads are full loads so less water is used.
8. Look for the Energy Star label when buying products.
9. Check out swaptree.com to trade books, DVDs and CDs.
10. Cut back on meat products.
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