Organic, local, sustainable, fair trade, eco-friendly, recycled and natural are all terms that fall under the big green umbrella of living what we call a conscious lifestyle. To stop and think about the environmental impact of each of our actions throughout the day is the first step to reducing the carbon imprint we leave upon the planet. Our Green Guide examines people in the South Sound who went through that thought process and now strive to make our area more green.

TACOMA'S GREEN IDEAS: Two new policies could help shape Tacoma's sustainable future by Zach Powers

IT AIN'T EASY BEING GREEN: The story of Evergreen's foray into biomass gasification by Brett Cihon

GREEN PAMPERING: Sonia Jewell of Jewell Day Spa takes her environmentalism seriously by Jackie Fender

PEDAL POWER: Duncan Green has been riding his bike since before it was cool by Molly Gilmore

DUKE'S DOES ITS PART: Ruston Way chowder house makes good choices for its patrons and the environment by Steph DeRosa

EATING GREEN: Educate your way to a greener life by Jennifer Johnson