From the streets that wind through a university campus to the halls of Congress, incentives and opportunities to Go Green are all around.

This year, Towson University is offering reduced parking rates to commuters with hybrid vehicles. Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger wants to offer tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles. And in Baltimore City, the Cleaner-Greener Initiative keeps gaining momentum. From recycle bin distribution in Charm City to Cecil County's packed Park-and-Ride lots, all around us people are going green.

Perhaps it is a result of gasoline breaking the four dollar mark or simply better awareness, regardless, in recent months we have seen that Americans are willing to step-up to the environmental challenges thrown their way. State and national initiatives certainly encourage participation but don't go far enough. Until recycling is mandatory in every community nation-wide, we will still find empty water bottles and aluminum cans littering our highways.

Until Congress mandates US Auto-makers invest in hybrid vehicle production, consumers will still be forced to wait until they can take advantage of incentive programs. Congressman Ruppersberger's initiative "The Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act" offers opportunity for consumers and penalties for big business. Until more programs like this are law, Going Green will still be a trend only and not a way of life.