As I walk down the sidewalks of campus, wearing my bright blue shirt adorned with the phrase “Keep It Cool” next to a picture of the earth, I can do nothing but smile. I smile because the stares from the people I pass let me know what they are thinking. I get a few smiles in return, of course, but then I get a few of those looks that say, “Oh, there’s one of those global warming nuts.”

In addition to that particular phrase, I have also been graced with the terms “hippie,” “tree-hugger” and “crazy liberal” by my oh-so-memorable high school world history teacher.

This is why I smile, not just because I am used to it, but because I happen to be proud of it.

So what is involved with being an environmentalist? Well, honestly not anything too strenuous. People tend to think being eco-friendly is a hassle or an inconvenience. I try to show that this isn’t true.

Replacing a light bulb is simple enough, right? Well, the next time a bulb burns out, try replacing it with a compact fluorescent bulb (you’ve seen them, the swirly ones) that uses about 75 percent less energy than a regular bulb and saves about $30 or more in its lifetime. Replacing more than one can save quite a bit of money.

Waiting in line at the bank? I turn off my car engine. Turning it off and back on is actually more fuel efficient than letting it run for 10 seconds. That way, I can save gas and reduce emissions released into the air.

Grocery shopping? Cloth or fiber shopping bags can be purchased in a variety of places and can be used to replace plastic bags, production of which uses billions of gallons of oil each year.

Here’s one many people don’t know: chargers for iPods, laptops, cell phones and other electronics still send energy through their cords when plugged into a wall outlet, even though they aren’t plugged in to the object being charged. Just unplug it from the wall to save electricity.

I also joined Nicholls G.R.E.E.N because, well, it’s nice to be with people who agree with me sometimes. It lets me know I’m not completely insane.

The earth is my cause. Preserving it is what I believe in and what I try to pass on to others is simple steps anyone can do.

What I try to convey to people is even if they choose not to believe the propaganda about global warming, if they think the “going green” thing is just a fad or even if they just don’t care, the one true fact is Earth is our only home. So until humans colonize Mars, we just might have to step up and take care of what we have.