Your Green Life:"Green 2012"

By KBJR News 1

January 3, 2013 Updated Jan 3, 2013 at 10:29 AM CDT

Duluth, MN
Why do businesses and people try to be more sustainable?

"A lot of people do it because they feel good about it, a lot of people do it because of economics." Said Lynn Bergstedt, General Manager at Azcon.

But whether it saves you money, or you are just looking out for the environment or community you live in, there are many ways to go about it.

Steve Sandstrom of the Pinehurst Inn said, "We believe in the "Triple Bottom Line" philosophy, of looking at the financial, and social, and the environmental consequences of the way we run our business."

Businesses are switching to greener alternatives because the customer demands it. But local governments are also hearing similar pleas for sustainable practices.

"We are looking at ways to control and our energy for the future, we're looking at ways to control our food for the future." said Lana Fralich, the Silver Bay City Administrator.

The way we live our lives has a ripple effect all around the world, but the effects are even felt here in the Northland on our natural resources.

Gary Erickson the Manager of Wood Fiber Procurement at Sappi said, "I believe a diversity of forest types out on a landscape help provide a diverse habitat for all the different critters there are."

The plants and animals that surround our communities are just as important when considering sustainability. What I have noticed is the communities are always looking into the future.

"In the future we're talking about solar panels, we're talking about rain barrels to catch rain and do all those sorts of things." says Cara Lindberg, a Marketing Specialist for Upper Lakes Food.

It takes everyone, doing small actions of choosing to be more sustainable to see a brighter future.

Diana Miller, Owner of the small business called Eco Craft Store said "A little step goes a long way, in creating a difference. It won't show there and then, but actually it's a gradual process."

So ring in the new year with a green resolution. If everyone does one thing, large or small, we can reach a goal of being a more green community.

Meteorologist Adam Lorch