Smokeless in Winston-Salem Page 2 Protect Your Neck Page 7 Silent Leader The News Argus Page 8 www.thenewsargus.com Winston-Salem State University’s Student Newspaper Jan. 28, 2008 GrEEN: Its the new thing Stephanie Douthit NEWS EDITOR It's what's in style, it's the new trend, and everyone is doing it. No, it's not the latest fashion trend or new gizmo, it's "going green." Going green is a con scious decision to make environmentally friendly changes to one's lifestyle to help and reduce the human effects on global warming. Global warm ing, defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is an "aver age increase in the temper ature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere which can contribute to changes in global climate changes." Many people around the Winston-Salem State University campus have beefi taking notice of the climate changes this past year. Many people have begun to ponder what causes these temperature changes. According to the EPA, global warming can occur from a variety of sources, both natural and human induced. In common usage, global warming often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Therefore, the increase of emissions and the unrecognized harm ful affects of daily human activity increases support of going green. So why should we turn off the lights in our homes?Why should we recycle? Why should we really care about any of the things we are told make a difference?" In the University of North Carolina system $14 million a month was used for power and water dur ing the fiscal year 2005-2006, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of state government energy use. The UNC system is the sin gle largest user of electric ity and water in North Carolina. If more attention Photo by Grant Fulton lUlany things that are thrown in the trash could be recycled, such as glass, paper and some plastic and can products. is given to energy and water consumption at UNC campuses, more money can be saved and redirected into facility and campus improvements. On the WSSU campus alone more than $2 million was used for utilities in fis cal year 2006-2007. In addition, recycling bins on campus are scarce and rarely, if ever, used. However, the University's Facilities Department is continuing to develop con servation awareness pro grams that are designed for energy and water savings. Ultimately, green changes depend on the students and staff on campus. Most notably, the green changes in the automobile industry are becoming more popular. Many peo ple are opting for hybrid vehicles, environmentally friendly gas cars, and sport utility vehicles. However, the roadways are still heavily populated with traditionally fueled vehi cles. Changing the type of vehicle driven is a major change, but there are smaller changes that can have an effect as well "Going green is a won derful idea if everyone chooses to participate, but that is the issue, not every one will participate," says Quintin Jones, junior psy chology major. The green action plan calls for relatively small changes that lead to chang ing the daily human impact on the world. There are many agencies and organizations that pro mote environmental pro tection and awareness and give citizens "green tips." These organizations are available to educate others about the daily impact on the environment, and pro vide information that can be used daily to help reduce the impact on the environment. The green lifestyle is constantly changing. It encompasses food, water, waste, energy, transporta tion, television and even fashion. For fashion lovers, even purchasing certain items such as t-shirts and trinkets can contribute to environmental changes. A shirt can be purchased and a portion of the sale will go to scientific research or a wildlife fund. Go online to thenews argus.com, for additional green information, statistics, and links to various green Websites. Ways to Save the Environment Home/Dorm/Office Suggestions Recycle, Recycle, Recycle (cans, bottles, paper) Turn off lights when leaving room; conserves large amounts of energy Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving Buy reusable plastic utensils or silverware; pre vents plastic materials from ending up in the landfill Unplug electronics and appliances not fre quently used. Examples; toasters, coffee mak ers, celt phone chargers, and hair appliances- 10% of energy is used when appliances are turned off but remained plugged up Transportation Suggestions Use public transportation; reduces emissions of numerous automobiles Carpool with friends, roommates, co-workers Have routine inspections and car care; cars without proper inspections contribute greater amounts of pollution in environment Properly inflate tires; reduces tire wear, increases fuel economy, and reduces green house gas emissions Bike; great for exercise and does not create Phrilo by Garrell (Sarms Water fountains are beautiful, but do they v'aste water? Band invades ATL Grant Fulton PHOTO EDITOR The Winston-Salem State University's Marching Band, "Red Sea of Sound" was one of 10 bands selected to showcase their talents in Atlanta on Saturday Jan. 26, in the Honda Battle of the Bands. "I voted for my school everyday that I could on the website so that my school could be chosen and it really happened and I felt that my vote really made a difference in the band going to Atlanta," said junior Cornelius Hector. The school has given stu dents the opportunity to see the band play by develop ing a trip to Atlanta by bus leaving Saturday morning the trip cost $45 and stu dents were given $15 for meal money. The trip also gave students to opportu nity to stay in Atlanta overnight to enjoy all the activities that were going to be happening after the band exhibition. "As soon as I found out that the school was spon soring a trip to go to Atlanta, 1 saw the opportu nity to go to Atlanta and I took it, I am so ready to see my band play in the Georgia Dome," said junior Tammy Grayson. "Honda will expose WSSU to a crowd of 60,000 people who have never heard of WSSU or the city of Winston-Salem and it will give fans the opportu nity to leam about Winston- Salem State and hopefully gain some recruitment not only to the school but also to the band program," said Band Director Michael Magruder. The last big crowd that the "Red Sea of Sound" has played for was the Circle City Classic back in October which drew a crowd of 42,000 plus and now Honda will allow them chance to entertain another big crowd in Atlanta. "Each school will get $10,000 contributed to their band program," said Magruder. Magruder emphasized that while no winner will be declared, the competition will be tough. See BAND, page 5 % Photo by Garrett Garms Winston-Salem State’s marching band participated in Honda’s Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, Ga.