HAWAI'I SHOULD LOOK AT BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS

The rapid decline in the state of the environment requires immediate attention.

Recently, some areas have considered a ban on plastic bags. The manufacturing of plastic bags requires large amounts of fuel, so bans increase energy savings while also resolving problems posed by littered plastic.

New York City requires most stores that offer plastic bags to customers to also provide plastic-bag recycling bins.

Hawai'i should adopt one of these methods in an initial step toward a more environmentally conscious future.

Vehicular fuel consumption has also become a major issue in environmental protection. The state recently implemented a new passenger requirement for the Zipper lane on the H-1 Freeway, increasing the minimum number of occupants in each vehicle from two to three.

As a regular commuter from Mililani to Manoa, I experience the morning traffic jams on a daily basis. The state is providing great incentive for morning commuters to carpool by allowing carpoolers lane privileges that greatly decrease the commute time.

If every person were to attempt to be more environmentally friendly, their cause would not be that of an individual but instead one of many in a concerted effort.

— Devon Catalan, Grade 12, Mid-Pacific

TAKING TINY STEPS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Many people strive to be eco-friendly or "green," but are unsure of how this can be achieved.

By making small and often inexpensive changes, big results can be achieved.

One of the primary culprits of global warming is greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Rather than driving short distances, walk or bike instead. While these options may take a little more time, they provide great exercise and substantially lessen carbon emissions.

There are also many ways to go "green" at home, from installing compact fluorescent light bulbs to recycling.

One simple method to cut down on organic waste while creating useful soil is to establish a compost system. While it sounds complex, composting is actually surprisingly simple and cuts down on household waste. To set it up, all that is required is a bin, some newspaper to put on the bottom, organic waste, and earthworms. Earthworms can easily be purchased from a worm farm and create nutrient-rich soil that can be used in home gardens.

Being eco-friendly doesn't have to be costly or difficult. It only requires some small sacrifices that can be rewarding for both you and the environment.

— Finn Curran, Grade 12, Kaiser High School

TIME TO GIVE BACK AND TAKE CARE OF THE LAND

We live in the here and now, and take more and more each day without regard to the long-term effects of our choices. It's hard to imagine Earth running out of resources. However, when living on an island, the problem becomes more apparent.

Our daily intake in Hawai'i is more than the land can support. The majority of goods are shipped in from around the globe. We act as passengers instead of what we should be: the crew of planet Earth.

It is our responsibility to do more than just go along for the ride. We must take an active part in the "handling" of the land's resources.

By making small changes, in our daily habits, we can have a significant impact on the environment. Instead of driving to places close by, I walk. I turn off lights and air conditioners when I leave a room. I try to conserve as much water as possible.

The government should establish incentive programs to encourage businesses to go above and beyond current environmental standards, and consumers should reward those environmentally friendly businesses with their business.

As citizens of this unique and fragile land, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to malama 'aina. We should not and cannot live beyond our means. We can only expect so much from the land. We must be willing to give back.

— Taylor Mitchell, Grade 12, Kamehameha Schools

START WITH THE BASICS TO CONSERVE ENERGY

Reducing energy in a household starts with the fundamentals.

We can change all of our incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs, and switch to energy-efficient appliances. We can open doors and windows to get a little fresh air instead of using air conditioning, and can spend less time watching television. Alternatives to television are reading a book, magazine or newspaper, exercising, or taking up a hobby. It is much more stimulating for your brain.

Let's also conserve water to save energy. Shortening showers saves gallons of water. In my house, we believe in washing dishes by hand as an alternative to the dishwasher, and using the washing machine only when the clothes fill up to the brim. In Hawai'i, there are beautiful trade winds that pass by let's put them to use by drying our clothes outside instead of putting them in the dryer.

In my household, we have been recycling since before I was born. Preserving our resources will ensure the future generations with the same natural usable and reusable energy.

I pledge to abide by my proposals to conserve energy, and to lessen my usage of the computer.

— Samantha Neudorf, Grade 11, Moanalua High School

SMALL AND LARGE STEPS CAN HELP ENVIRONMENT

We live on one of the most beautiful places on this planet, with an astounding environment.

People pay thousands of dollars to see the surreal beauty we tend to take for granted.

Big and small steps done in our daily lives can greatly affect our environment.

As citizens of Hawai'i, we must do our part to help our precious 'aina. As my part in the effort, I will pick up trash off of Kailua Beach to reduce the amount of trash filtering into the seas. When going to the beach, clean up your trash, even if it is biodegradable things like paper, because it can harm marine life.

I will also save electricity by turning off lights and fans when leaving a room. That will help your electric bill, too. Recycling your newspaper and paper bags can also limit the amount of trash being put into landfill.

More companies should take the initiative to "go green," and also participate in environmentally friendly acts.

Doing things like using less paper at work, saving electricity and transferring trash to H-Power to be burned into energy instead of the landfills can help businesses and homes be more environmentally efficient.

I hope, in the future, Hawai'i will not become a "landfill" in the middle of the Pacific. I will take the beginning steps to help our 'aina and community. What about you?

— Janae Rasmussen, Grade 9, UH Lab

MORE PLACES TO DROP RECYCLABLES NEEDED

My family and I have set up receptacles for all different types of recyclable materials in our home. We recycle aluminum, glass and plastic bottles, as well as paper.

I challenge restaurants, stores, and any location where there is a trash can to also have a bin for bottles and aluminum.

Cans and bottles often are thrown in the trash along with other rubbish, and are never separated for recycling.

By setting up more locations to recycle, we will keep significant amounts of cans and bottles out of our landfills and our ocean.

— Chloe Yester, Grade 11, Kahuku High School

SAVING ENERGY: WHAT I WILL DO

I will save energy.

I will ride the bus to and from school.

I will put my computer on power-save mode.

I will let my car roll to a stop.

I will double-check all electronics before I leave the house.

— Lauren Watanabe, Grade 11, Roosevelt High School

RECYCLE EVERY BOTTLE, WHEREVER IT'S FOUND

I pledge to recycle every discarded plastic and glass bottle I see, no matter where I am or what I am doing. I will strive to never see litter and walk past it.

— Takara Sights, Grade 11, La Pietra

PERSONAL, PUBLIC EFFORTS NEEDED TO SAVE MONEY

With fuel and energy prices so high, it is no wonder that most people are scrambling to conserve energy around the house to save money on the gas and electric bills.

My family is no exception, and we have come up with a few ways to conserve.

For the last few months, we have been carpooling more often. Rather than driving myself to classes, I have been riding with my parents or friends whenever they are headed toward school.

My mother has taken a primitive-seeming approach to conserving energy by hanging our clothes out to dry rather than using our dryer. It isn't the most glamorous way to save energy, but we have been able to significantly lower our gas bill by choosing the simple clothesline over the modern appliance.

Families all over Hawai'i are experiencing the same things as my family. And many people feel helpless against rising fuel prices and ever-increasing utility bills.

I challenge the government to end this feeling of helplessness by helping people become more efficient and more energy independent — but not through clever ad campaigns or vague encouragement.

We, the people, need real, substantial aid from the government so as to take the steps that will lead to a cleaner and more independent Hawai'i.

I challenge the government to provide tax incentives and low- or no-interest loans to people who wish to use solar panels to power their houses, so that we may lower the strain on the electric grid, help to lower prices and save money.

— Graham Hawes, home school student

HOMES, SCHOOLS CAN PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY

Many people do little to conserve our resources because they find it is often time-consuming and inconvenient. However, even for the busiest individual, there are ways to protect and sustain the environment.

In my home, we save energy through simple procedures that include turning surge protectors off when electronic equipment is not being used.

We also have switched to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Although more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, they are longer-lasting and use one-sixth the energy of incandescent light bulbs.

Schools can often do more than individual families to promote environmental sustainability. Recently, my school built a large classroom building that was configured to take advantage of wind and sun and use less air conditioning.

My school is also considering retrofitting all faucets in bathrooms to be motion sensitive to lessen water consumption. We are also watering the lawn only three days a week and always early in the morning.

My teachers are moving us toward paperless classrooms by taking advantage of modern technology. Submitting assignments via the Internet is saving a lot of trees.

More than ever, parents and educators must teach and remind children and students to conserve everything from water to paper and electricity to recyclable containers.

We all must do our part in protecting the environment for ourselves and future generations.

— Kanya Gagarin, Grade 11, Sacred Hearts

VOLUNTEERING ESSENTIAL TO ENVIRONMENTAL WORK

It is increasingly important to be aware of preserving the environment.

Saving water when showering, saving electricity by turning off the lights and recycling are actions people can do every day. Carpooling or walking whenever possible cuts down on carbon emissions. These simple acts can make a significant impact.

Volunteerism in the community is also essential in helping the environment. Projects such as beach cleanups could greatly contribute to helping our environment. Oceans provide the Earth with oxygen, moisture and weather patterns. The public should be able to give back to the environment by giving up a small amount of time.

To say that you care for the environment is different than actively taking a role in helping the environment. It is essential for our generation to effect the change we need.

If every person could take the responsibility of giving up a little time and effort to volunteer in the home and in the community, we would be assured of a healthy future.

— Stephanie Liem, Grade 11, Punahou