Do you want to go “green” but your CA won’t let you build a rooftop garden, or your student loans are preventing you from purchasing that shiny new hybrid?

Have no fear, there are plenty of other ways to live a more green lifestyle without breaking the bank, or school property.

“Our energy consumption and agricultural practices affect climate changes and deforestation, all which have a profound impact on plants and animals around the world,” said David Goldblum, assistant professor of Geography. “In the next three to four decades, these are issues that students are going to deal with in their lifetimes and in their kids’ lifetimes.”

Goldblum believes that by starting “green” habits now students will invariably have positive affects on their own futures.

What many students may not realize however is they can take part in an eco-friendly lifestyle even while living in the dorms or an off-campus apartment — and they don’t have to switch to hemp-made clothing or even start eating granola.

It only takes a few changes in the things students buy when shopping for everyday household items and most products stay with in a typical college student’s budget.

Goldblum recommends replacing old light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). While they may seem a little pricey at first glance, Goldblum says they last five to ten times as long as a traditional bulb and use a lot less energy. A 13 watt CFL is equivalent to a standard 60 watt bulb.

Even when an appliance such as a TV or computer monitor is powered off, they are still using energy if they remain plugged into a wall outlet. To combat this, Goldblum suggests students use power strips to power all of their appliances. The strip can then be powered off at night or when students go home for the weekend.

In addition to shutting off your power strip, make sure your tires are filled with air before heading home. According to the Steinbrenner Institute, properly filled tires saves gas mileage, which in turn limits the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air.

Besides changing little things around their dorm or room, students can also change the type of foods they eat.

“[Organic foods are] for your health, for your environment,” said Loreen Stravers, assistant manager of Duck Soup Coop, 129 E. Hillcrest.

Stravers said in order for foods to earn the “Organic” label they must follow stringent guidelines in the preparation or raising of the products.

Organic foods are not prepared with herbicides, pesticides or any other chemicals. This eliminates any residual drain of the chemicals into the environment.

Stravers adds, “[With organic foods], you know you’re supporting better products and farmers that are going to care for the environment so that it will be their for you and your children.”