A generation ago, “going green” conjured images of tie-dyed hippies planting community gardens and advocating for a cleaner environment. Today, the movement has gone mainstream, counting large corporations and small-town activists among its many advocates who are turning the grass-roots faction into an in-vogue movement.

Jim Root and his Brentwood-based Green Living Coalition are one such group.

“People are excited to participate and hungry for direction on the different things they can do to make their home, and our community, sustainable,” said Root. “And we are here to encourage those connections and goals.”

Founded just a few months ago, the Green Living Coalition is a group comprising local business owners, community officials and environmentally friendly organizations who are working to promote renewable energy and sustainable living through education and awareness. Believing that California can indeed become a leader in emissions reduction, organic gardening and recycling – to name a few – the coalition is currently focusing on what it calls a community mandate.

“At our recent meeting we worked on solidifying our mandate,” said Root, “which is recycling, hosting local community events and partnering with local schools.”

The recycling project, according to Root, focuses on the dilemma that while recycling is fairly easy to do at home, it’s not as convenient in public. By placing recycling bins or cans at popular gathering places such as retail locations and gas stations, for example, recycling will become a habit instead of a project.

The same holds true for the community, Root contends. By building relationships with neighbors and the community at large, a more connected and sustainable lifestyle is possible. The coalition plans to host a variety of meet-and-greet events throughout Brentwood in the coming months.

Education is key, Root said, and that’s where the school districts come into play. By partnering with local schools in ways such as field trips to local green businesses, recycling assemblies and local cleanup days, students learn from an early age the benefits of a green lifestyle.

Cities will also play a major role in creating sustainable living, and Brentwood, according to Root, gets high marks for taking the lead. “The City of Brentwood is doing a great job promoting sustainability and reaching out to the community,” he said. “And schools, parks and large employers have been the main focus of their efforts.

“But budget constrains and governmental procedures make it hard for them to work outside a very specific box. What they could do better is what the Green Living Coalition can do for them, and we have met with the city to discuss ways we could reach out to the smaller businesses and residents to complete the loop and get everyone involved in the movement. And that is what we’re here for. We’re off to a great start.”

The Green Living Coalition meets the third Tuesday of the month at 380 Carrol Court in Brentwood. For meeting times and additional information, call 925-705-8199 or visit www.greenlivingcoalition.com.