Open a newspaper or your Web browser and look at the reports making headlines. You’ll probably see lots of Sarah Palin, some news on hurricanes threatening the Gulf Coast, a few things on McCain and even a piece or two on Obama. What you won’t see is an issue that is on everyone’s mind, yet not at the forefront, due to its lack of thrill factor.

I am speaking of global warming and environmental issues. As WSU continues to push toward sustainability and recycling, it would be inspiring to see student role models and WSU representatives lead by example. It is appropriate for the Greeks to take the lead in being crimson and going green through accountability to the community and competition with each other.

Global warming is an issue that can’t be ignored anymore. We are disrupting our planet’s environmental equilibrium in a manner never before witnessed in the billions of years of Earth’s existence. Although much damage has been done, it’s important to take a “better late than never” approach when it comes to saving the earth. Changes must be made at a community level to lessen future damage to our biosphere. It’s not all about what the government or corporations are doing, but what we as individuals and groups of individuals are committing to on a consistent basis.

It’s disappointing to see a demographic often referred to as campus leaders fail to make the change of going green and living more sustainably. The Greeks are such an influential part of our WSU community that if they took the initiative they could possibly transform the way our student population views recycling. As well as being influential, the Greeks make up a sizable chunk of the student body. If they decided to do something, anything, they have the organizational capacity built into their system to institute some lasting, effective changes.

As a letter to the editor on Aug. 29 pointed out, it does not appear that certain members of WSU’s Greek community are taking the initiative of going green seriously. If our dining halls, campus facilities and housing have special disposal areas labeling sustainable items, our proud Greeks should go with this trend and make an effort to recycle more. It might even help if the houses were inspected on a consistent basis by a self-regulated, yet responsible, Greek task force to determine the level of recycling occurring at each house.

Competition can bring out the best in some people and the worst in others, but in this case competition can be used to provide incentive for the Greeks to go green. Having a collection and evaluation of the aforementioned inspections would result in a quantitative and comprehensive rating scale so we could determine the house most effective at living sustainably. An award, media recognition or other forms of compensation would be suitable for the achievement of such a goal and work as an incentive for all.

A quick glance at the Web sites of WSU’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils show more than outdated content, but also a lack of any initiative toward sustainability and recycling. WSU is attempting to go green and this is reflected in our very own LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified CUB, as well as a massive campaign emphasizing recycling and decomposable materials attached with the slogan of “be crimson, go green.” Let’s have student leaders and Greeks take charge.

So lead the way Greeks, because the rest of the student body has already embarked on the road toward sustainability.