MU students taking green issues very seriously
Turning down the heat. Flipping off the light switch. Unplugging unused chargers. If these sound like some of your daily activities, you are certainly not alone.

Lately the environmental cause has become a bit of a trend. "Going green" is the tag that it's most often associated with. But honestly, as an environmentalist, I don't care what reason people have for becoming more environmentally conscious, just so long as they do it with vigor.

As some may already know, Monmouth University has been taking some great steps to lighten its carbon footprint, such as installingmultiple solar panels on four major buildings: Bey Hall, the Stafford Student Center, Boylan gymnasium, and the facilities management building.

However, the results of a recent campus-wide survey that I conducted almost overwhelmingly stated that Monmouth students care about the environment as well.

More young people are deciding to hoof it rather than hop in the car when going shorter distances. According to the survey, 39 percent are walking or biking, compared to the 25 percent that said that they probably wouldn't.

According to Marilyn Ward, coordinator of Monmouth University's Service Learning and Community Programs, the results of your survey indicate that students have taken environmental issues very seriously and have incorporated energysaving measures into their daily lives. Indeed they have. Of the 135 people polled, 63 percent stated that they understood the issue of global warming somewhat well. Only 1 percent said that they did not understand it at all.

In addition, 60 percent admitted that they believe global warming is caused by both people's behavior and normal climate patterns, and that coverage of it by the media is generally underestimated.

This is important, as the issue of global climate change becomes more and more of a pressing issue.

As community members, you may want to get involved in the eco-effort yourself. One great way is to come out and lend a hand at Monmouth U's chapter of NJ Community Water Watch's second annual Earth Day cleanup at Poricy Park in Middletown. It is slated for April 19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be food, drinks, entertainment, and trash. Like the old saying goes, "think globally, act locally."

Ron Gaskill West Long Branch