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Conserving gas proves that choices can be
both financially and environmentally friendly
J ack L ammers _______________
Temperatures climb
as summer approaches
and, unfortunately, so do
gas prices. Some analysts
predict six dollars per
gallon by this summer;
others say even more.
There is no need to be
alarmed, just open up your
mind to some alternatives
to driving. If you absolutely
cannot take your foot off
of the gas pedal, there are
other ways to save.
In Portland, we are lucky
enough to have access
to an expansive public
transportation system. With
buses heading to and from
the city throughout the day,
this is a great alternative
to driving and reduces
emissions while increasing
the livability factor.
Another great method
of transportation aside
from buses is the MAX
Light Rail. Anything from
Portland Timbers' games
Photo by Laurel Massaro
The 35 TriMet bus operates in West Linn and the Portland Metro area
for the service of commuters. With one of the most expansive public
transportation systems in the United States, TriMet provides a viable
and financially friendly alternative in the wake of soaring gas prices.
to shopping in downtown
Portland can be achieved
without the stress of inner
city driving or the time and
expense of trying to find a
place to park.
If you plan on travelling
locally, picking up a
bicycle could be a good
option, benefitting both
the environment and
your happiness quotients.
Especially with sunnier
days coming our way, as
Oregonians, we need the
vitamin D wherever we can
get it.
Now let's say you decide
that you have to drive
somewhere. If that's the
Eco-friendly alternatives grow, grant opportunity for change
J ack L ammers
Implementing a green
lifestyle may seem to be an
overwhelming task, and if
you try to do everything,
it may be. However, with
some simple changes slow
ly added to our daily lives,
we can develop healthy
vote with their dollars.
2) Walk, carpool, ride the
bus or even bike to school.
Utilizing these alternatives
on a consistent basis, or even
a few times a week can allow
for more socializing, less
emissions and uncompro
mised convenience.
3) Turn off the water while
ances. Although cleaner
energy is becoming more
common, no energy should
be wasted. When you're not
using lights or appliances/
electronics, just turn them
off. Using natural light is a
great alternative.
5) Volunteer. Enjoy natu
ral beauty and strive to pre
serve it. Find organiza
tions or local parks where
you live to participate
in environmental clean
up and awareness. One
example is SOLV (Stop
Oregon Litter and Van
dalism). If that doesn't
work out, start your own
clean-up.
6) Hand-wash dishes
or only run a fully load
ed dishwasher. Most
people don't realize it,
but dishw ashers use
considerable amounts
of water to wash dishes.
Photo by Jack Lammers Ideally, it’s best not to
u^e
dishwasher at
ail- “ You J * 0' use ^co-
friendly dishwashing
detergent and only run
the washer when it is
brushing teeth. Do not let completely full. If it's not
that water run, that wastes full or if you can, choose
water. Just a couple of min to wash dishes in the sink
utes of running water per day instead, of course, with
adds up. One helpful tool is eco-friendly dishwashing
a shower timer to keep your liquid. These soaps differ
water usage to a minimum.
because they are made
4)
Turn off lights and ap- from organic base oils, are
pliances/electronics when biodegradable and often
not in use. People who aren't avoid testing on animals.
environmentally conscious
don't usually think about
continued on page 12
turning off lights and appli-
Seniors Chris Kingsborough and Taylor Rose carpool to lunch instead
of driving separately. Carpooling is one alternative which, according to
Colorado Pollution Prevention, can prevent about 2,376,000 pounds of
carbon dioxide from being released each year per 100 people.
habits to consistently ben
efit our environment.
1) Ask or shop for green
products. For future back-
to-school shopping, clothes
shopping or anything else,
there are usually environ
mentally friendly alterna
tives. With the demand for
these products on the rise,
prices are becoming more
and more reasonable, and
this allows the consumer to
5B
case, try grouping trips
together, planning them
out in a way that saves you
gas and time in the long
run.
Some in-car tricks to
increase fuel economy,
include lightening the
amount of weight you
carry in your car. An extra
100 pounds increases
fuel consumption by 1
to 2 percent. Fill up your
tank when it is still half
full. When the fuel tank
is low, the engine is more
likely to receive a less
steady amount of gas and
can make the engine less
efficient.
Slowing down, using
cruise control, and
accelerating smoothly
all add to fuel economy
by making the engine
work less. Conversely,
speeding can reduce fuel
efficiency by as much as
30 percent. Try using the
air conditioner and heater
sparingly because it can
cause the engine to work
harder. However at higher
speeds, air conditioning is
shown to allow for better
gas mileage than rolling
down the windows.
We have to make better
choices for ourselves and
our planet. We are all
granted the freedom of
choice from the purchases
we make to the engines
we rev. Conserving gas
provides benefits whether
through saving money or
improving the quality of
the environment.
Beat finals stress by creating a study plan
and sticking to it
A lison F ieldhouse
It's finally that time of
year where school is almost
over. The possibilities for
summer fun are endless, but
it’s hard to focus on them
when there's something
else calling for immedi
do study. The trick is to
start as soon as you can (as
makes sense).
2. Review materials. In
many classes, you've made
notes or study guides for
other tests. Review these to
keep the information fresh
Photo by Alex Houston
Garrett Harmon, sophomore, studies in the library as he begins
preparation for finals in chemistry and Advanced Algebra. Finals
can seem daunting, but creating a study plan and sticking to it can
relieve stress; the trick is to start earlier rather than later.
ate attention: finals. These
dreaded tests are what
stand between you and the
relaxation of summer break.
It may feel overwhelming
to have so many tests at
the end of the school year,
but here are a few tips that
will help.
1. Create a study plan
for each class. These don't
need to be the most compre
hensive plans you’ve ever
made, but set aside time
for each class and write it in
your planner or use another
scheduling aid that will help
to ensure that you actually
in your head. Spread out
review over several nights
to avoid cramming right
before the test.
3. Go over old tests.
Seeing what mistakes you
made (if any) and figuring
out how to correct them is
a good way to test if you
know the material or not.
Also, it shows you facts
or details that the teacher
thought were important
to know.
continued on page 8