The Ranger Online

Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: D.A. James The motor home is fueled by vegetable oil. The two containers on the ground represent the holding tank of a restaurant that is giving the oil away. The oil is pumped into two filters before it is deposited in to the fuel tank. The vehicle must be started on regular diesel and then switched over to the vegetable oil. He must switch over to diesel before shutting the engine down. The system must also be purged of the vegetable oil before it can shut off.

Media Credit: D.A. James Environmental science sophomore Michiko Daniels asks CPS engineer Jesse Torres, public relations representative, about the difference between incandescent light bulbs and the new fluorescent light bulbs that use one-third the amount of electricity.

Media Credit: D.A. James Matt Janssen answers questions by environmental science sophomore Melissa Acosta about life in a motor home fueled by vegetable oil. Janssen said that he gets most of his vegetable oil from small restaurants. He also said that 2,100 gallons of vegetable oil will take the mobile home about 17,000 miles.

Media Credit: D.A. James Matt and Sara Janssen along with their 4-year-old daughter, Bella, live in this motor home fueled by vegetable oil. When the vehicle is running, the exhaust smells kind of like whatever was cooked in the oil.

With the environment in the condition it is now, people are trying to think of new and better ways to keep the world a clean and healthy place for generations to come.

Sustainability is the buzz word being used.

It is also referred to as "going green," a way of life for many people now for years.

Even celebrities with endless amounts of money have jumped on the bandwagon with many of them driving hybrid cars that are more gas efficient and better for the environment.

Former Vice President Al Gore made a film documentary titled "An Inconvenient Truth," that was dedicated to "going green."

He even won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the film because of the dedication he showed to improving the environment.

Pollution has been an issue for the United States for years now because of the effects it has on the ozone layer.

There are different ways people choose to do their part for the environment like recycling daily products, driving hybrid cars instead of sport utility vehicles and not littering.

The state of Texas is known for the motto, "Don't Mess With Texas," which reminds people not to litter and keep the state beautiful.

Matt Janssen along with his wife, Sara, and their child, Bella, show their dedication to "going green" by driving around the country in the RV they remodeled with green materials.

The Janssen family has been living this way for four years.

They have been touring the country since September 2007 and plan to continue the tour until September.

On the outside of their RV, they have a sign that says, "Live Lightly Tour, sustainable living in an RV powered by veggie oil."

Thursday, they made a stop at this college to promote their ways of living along with allowing students to go inside the RV to see how they live.

"We want to educate people on alternative fuels and alternative ways of thinking," Matt Janssen said.

"We started setting up our RV last June, but didn't start the tour until September," Janssen said.

The Janssen family has been invited to share their thoughts everywhere from colleges to green fairs.

Even private corporations have asked them to speak to their employees about ways to "go green."

"We enjoy going to colleges the best because it's easier to speak to students," Janssen said.

Although this way of living is better for the environment, not everyone agrees with it.

"This isn't for everyone, but they do like the idea of it," Janssen said.

Some students don't agree with the alternative way of living, saying it is just a fad.

Engineering freshman Alex Valdez says he will not join in on the "green" way of living.

"I think it's just a fad," Valdez said. "I'm waiting for the hydrogen fuel cars to come out."

Janssen gave a short presentation on how it really works to live the "green" lifestyle by opening up the hood of his RV and showing how the motor works differently from a normal RV.

Engineering sophomore Willie Sielbeck said he would not participate in "going green," either.

"You have to go out of your way to do all of this, but you don't have to with gas," Sielbeck said. "I think it has advantages and disadvantages."

"Technology is coming along with more cars like hybrids, and better versions are coming out every year, and I would rather wait to get one of those," Sielbeck said.

Janssen had two large plastic tubs full of vegetable oil a Chinese restaurant gave him.

"People are very receptive to all of this," Janssen said.

He even gave students examples of which restaurants are better to get the oil from, saying that Chinese and Thai restaurants are the best oil to use for cars.

"Right now, diesel fuel costs $4 a gallon and we're driving for free because we get our fuel from restaurants," Janssen said.

Inside the RV, Sara Janssen was speaking to students about the interior.

On the kitchen table, she had stickers and pamphlets for students interested in learning more or just showing their support.

There also was a laminated newspaper cutout that featured the family and their story.

Science freshman Bianca Ramirez was excited about the idea of "going green."

"I think it's really good for the environment," she said. "My mom always tells me to ride the bus because gasoline is so expensive."

"If it gets to $5 a gallon, I think I'm going to ride a bike," Ramirez said.

She said she always tells her mom to buy organic food when they go grocery shopping. "I tell her it's cheaper to buy organic food, and it's better."

Ramirez's friend, nursing freshman Crystal Callaway, agrees with Ramirez.

"For some reason, everything that is better for you costs more," Callaway said.

"I think it's worth paying the extra money, even if it does cost more," Callaway continued.

For more information about sustainable living or to learn more about the Janssen family, visit their Web site, www.livelightlytour.com.

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