By Hannah Schwab
“The times are in fact changing, and we need to adapt and keep up with these changes for a strong economy and clean, safe environment to live in,” says Kristy Kim from the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES). Kristy Kim along with many other men and women of Ohio believe in the importance of going green. Kristy Kim is the Public Relations Specialist for the Air Quality Division of HCDOES. Her main job, as the Public Relations Specialist, is to educate local businesses and schools about going green.
She along with Keebler Holley, who is the Education Specialist for the Solid Waste Division, has teamed up to help educate the local youth about the importance of being green. This organization is called the Hamilton County Youth Environmental Council or better known to its members HOPE.
“The HCDOES Youth Council was an initiated by our department director, Cory Chadwick, to provide an avenue for youth from Hamilton, Clermont, Butler and Warren Counties to learn more about green issues, meet other students and have the opportunity to take action and have their voices heard,” says Kristy Kim. The youth council has about twenty members from all over Ohio. The council consists of members from Wyoming, CCM, Elder, Taylor and even Mercy.
The group meets once a month to discuss important environmental problems in our area. The group tries to find simple solutions for these problems. “Something very simple is to watch the amount of energy you consume. Unplug electronics that aren't in use such as TV's, computers and laptops, video gaming systems or any unused appliances around the house. Also, don't leave things like cell phones and iPods on chargers once they are charged,” says Kristy is one of the many solutions the group has come up with.
After the council has had the meeting, it is up to the members to go out to their communities and educate them about the simple solutions through their own personal teaching service project. “I hope that the Youth Council members learn that they can have an impact and make a difference in their schools and communities. Keebler hopes the council learns how to plan, implement and evaluate service learning projects like this one as well as learning to work with others and becoming more knowledgeable about green activities and resources in the area,” Kristy says about what the members will gain from this experience.
Many of the members have chosen their community to be their school. A teen from Wyoming High School plans on putting signs around her school parking lot saying “No Idling in Car.” A duo from Taylor is working on a locker clean-up at the end of the year. Mercy is following this pattern as well, but in a different way.
On the week of the walk, there will be an eco-fair outside of the cafeteria. HOPE and Mercy’s Science Club have teamed up to create a fun and interactive way to be green. The booths have been designed by the Science Club and will be executed by Biology students.
The booths will have themes such as Eco-lunches, Eco-school supplies, Eco-friendly celebrities, Eco-fashion and so much more. The fair is to help Mercy students and faculty understand the importance of being green. This will show that being green isn’t hard, but is really easy and can be fun.
“Being green is important to our future,” Kristy Kim says, “There needs to be an increase in green opportunities and education for students to have the upper hand.” As intelligent Mercy women, it is important for us to take this step. It is important for us to have the upper hand in this and be green so our futures will be brighter.
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