We are all aware of the debate over global warming these days.

Many agree the polar glaciers are melting, and going green has become the new “cool” thing.

Just counting the many bumper stickers proves my case. Of course, others see “red” over this issue. They believe global warming is cyclical and going green is too costly. We are inundated with statistics about holes in the ozone and more cases of the deadly skin cancer, melanoma.

I hear about air pollution in some cities that has contributed to an increase in respiratory illnesses. We’re all told to avoid certain fish because of dangerously high levels of mercury. From erosion of the dunes to destruction of coastal wetlands, awareness of the multitude of environmental problems can easily make you throw up your hands and give up.

Unless, of course, you are one of the many people who don’t accept any of this and just become angry whenever the subject is brought up. Like politics and religion it seems everyone has to be for or against. You have to take sides. You’re right and they’re wrong.

I could argue my viewpoint, but instead would like to pose a few questions: How can we not be better off by drinking clean water and breathing clean air? How can we not benefit by being less wasteful?

No matter what we personally believe to be the causes, or any conclusions we may have about global warming, it doesn’t really matter.

I’ll share with you the first time I realized the many unseen things we could do to conserve and help the environment that take a little more effort out of your everyday life.

A few years back my family and I made a visit to friends in the country side of New England. Their family was from the Philippines, where resources are scarce.

We observed their behavior in the kitchen one night, preparing dinner: Two hand towels draped over the sink for family use. Cloth napkins were used at dinner, and reused before washing. Scraps from the vegetables were fed to their Labrador, and the rest was saved in a bag for use in their compost.

Any trash was separated into the appropriate bag for recycling. Absolutely nothing was wasted including water or lights.

This was ingrained in them as a way of life, posing no undue hardship or stress. After returning home I realized how lazy we all had become; living life as if there’s an endless supply of everything we want or need.

Then I paid a visit to the landfill and was overwhelmed by the ridiculous amount of garbage piling up over time. As I placed a kitchen bag into a larger trash bag, I began to think about the hundreds of years it would take for two plastic bags, plus its contents, to decompose.

So, after stopping, my family went back to recycling. This time there was a more concerted effort. I began to see how, with just a little more effort put into our day, our garbage “going to the landfill” was cut by more than half. And I gained a feeling of pride deep inside myself; a proud sentiment that I was helping the planet that has given so much to me.

Now if you argue that this doesn’t help much, or the problem’s too big, let me say this: If all of us just took care of our own house, yard or communities, what a difference this could make.

So rather than becoming “red” over arguments that accomplish nothing, or going “green” as a fashion statement, make a small contribution to your own life and to that of your neighbors. And with these trying economic times you will put a few more dollars in the cookie jar for a trip to the movies, instead of buying another 12-pack of paper towels at Sam’s.

Don’t be overwhelmed. Every little thing we do makes a difference. Start in your own kitchen, just a few minutes each day, and you’ll see how easy it really is. Here are a few tips for recycling with our present Gulf Shores system:

At the present time, Gulf Shores has a “single sort” system where someone sorts through all the items by hand. Glass products cannot be included due to safety issues. Also, nothing that contains chemicals, such as bleach or kitchen/bathroom cleansers can be recycled.

Basch Jernigan is a ninth grader at Gulf Shores High School. He welcomes all questions, comments and opinions. He can be reached at basch@gulftel.com.