Now that we’re more than a few days into 2009, I have been thinking more about what I can personally do to live a greener lifestyle, as well as what green trends are up and coming. Recent conversations with friends and neighbors who are not in the renewable energy or sustainability fields have given me a slightly different perspective on what the people see as a realistic green lifestyle and what role businesses can play.  As individuals, walking, biking, recycling, buying green power, and using reusable water bottles  are all great green habits to develop.

But, what can businesses who pose environmental concerns on a large scale do?  The airline industry is tackling environmental and energy independence issues.  Companies are now looking for ways to either increase fuel efficiency or reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, or both. For example, Air New Zealand recently tested a 50%/50% jet fuel & biofuel mix. The company hopes that by 2013 at least 10% of their flights will be powered by biofuels. To learn more, read the article .

These are first steps by one industry, but they are necessary to make technology, policy and public perception advances.