The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is. That’s the whole economy. That’s where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world.
~ Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day
Hope glimmers on the local real estate horizon, with sales prices rapidly trending upward and the bargains from the past five years disappearing (see ”Tahoe Real Estate,” p. 14). An uptick in real estate sales will lead to reinvigoration of the construction and building industry, which in turn will stimulate related industries, and that will mean more cash in hand for people shopping, eating, and living locally. At the base of it all is a singular cause when you get right down to it: the rich beauty and curative environment of the Tahoe area.
The above quote by Nelson dissolves the perceived barrier between environmentalists and the rest of the world. It states plainly that without our natural resources, we have nothing — no home, no economy, no jobs.
Moonshine Ink recently earned a certificate from Keep Sierra Green, a program recognizing the sustainable practices and waste reduction of local businesses. The process involves a comprehensive application and an on-site audit. It was instructive to review our business and office practices through a sustainability filter, and it even encouraged us to implement new habits. Every ounce of effort was worth it because the program seeks to protect the main reason we are here, the wealth of our area — the environment.
To find out more about Keep Sierra Green, visit keepthesierragreen.org. Earth Day is this month; celebrate locally at Tahoe Truckee Earth Day, on April 20 at Squaw Valley, tahoetruckeeearthday.com.
~ Mayumi Elegado
