Opinions: Don't ask for our money, ask for our time

 by Jolie McCullough
 published on Monday, April 28, 2008

Anyone who has been a student at ASU for more than two seconds has likely heard the question, "Do you have a minute for the environment?"

The cheerful people in blue shirts approached me within my first week of school. Unlike most people, however, I did not automatically pretend I was deaf or hurriedly pull out my phone and fake a conversation until I was out of earshot. I was actually a little excited to get involved with Environment Arizona. I thought it would be a good opportunity to volunteer for a day and help clean up A Mountain or something to that extent.

I eagerly read through their notebook and listened to what they said about how our state needs help from everyone. They had me convinced; I was ready to sign up and volunteer. But at the end of their speech, once I was absolutely positive that I needed to make a change, I realized all they really wanted from me was money. Me, a poor college kid who dives across the floor if I see a quarter because it means I'm that much closer to being able to do laundry.

I understand that organizations like Environment Arizona need contributions to change things in the environment, and I support them asking for donations. College students, though, are not always the right audience to target for this though. Yes, there are some rich kids on campus who can spare their "pocket change." The majority of us, however, do not have bundles of extra cash lying around to donate in order to help purify our water. As much as it pains me to say, most students think their money can be better used to buy beer.

I would love to be able to help out with saving our planet and do my part to stop global warming (as impossible a goal that may seem). I wouldn't call myself a "green" person, but I try my best to not be part of the problem. I don't drive a gas-guzzler, and I always turn the lights off if I'm not using them. Most people wouldn't really expect someone like me to run out and volunteer or hug a tree, but I would! Even though I don't see how hugging a tree would really accomplish anything.

My point is that as much as people think students don't ever want to do anything that takes up time or energy, they'd be surprised at how willing some of us are to volunteer every now and then. We're not all out to kill our planet just because we don't want to give up the little money we have for fun.

Environment Arizona should approach students with more than one option when it comes to making our state healthier. They might fare better if they propose two options students could choose from: making donations or volunteering. If they came to students with hands-on projects, more students might actually become more emotionally involved with helping to save our state and our planet.