by John Steinbach

As we initiated the Grassroots Green projects, we often heard, “You really think this area is ready for green?” Our answer is YES!

One day, in a conversation about greening Fort Wayne and the surrounding area, someone said, “We can be the greenest city in America.” My simple response was, “No way.” We won’t be as green as Portland or Salt Lake City or New York or other cities for many reasons. The dense population of large cities and their great public transportation systems give them a leg up on efficiency. Sustainability efforts are taking off in many parts of the country, but outside of a few large cities, the Midwest tends to lag behind.

What we can be is a green jewel in the heart of the country. That’s an important role. If we can continue in northeast Indiana with our run of green building in the commercial market … if homebuilders start to build greener … if reusable shopping bags start to be the norm in checkout lanes … and if we cut down on bottled water, buy more local produce and make many of the green choices represented on this website… then we can be a shimmering green jewel that catches the eye of many.

The people of northeast Indiana are pragmatic, after all. Once they begin to recognize that it’s in our best interest to treat the planet with care — saving money on fuel, reducing waste, making our area more livable and strengthening our national security — they’ll understand how “right” green values are for our communities. Then, in becoming a green jewel, we’ll have an influence that extends well beyond our part of the country. Northeast Indiana will be seen as so representative of middle America that people will be able to imagine their own mid-sized, mid-American town following in our footsteps. As a green jewel, we can be the “it plays in Peoria” example of sustainability.

As our green jewel shines, we’ll see our area become more and more livable, more attractive and prosperous. We’ll see our businesses grow, and our economy will be able to adapt and survive the inevitable rise in fuel costs as fuel supplies dwindle and concern for the environment increases.

In the process of publishing the Green Living Guide, we’ve discovered that there is much happening in northeast Indiana — that we’re already well on our way to becoming a green jewel. We’re highlighting and promoting the great green efforts we see around us, because we want that green jewel to shine more brightly.