BILLY: Something for nice Dutch people in uncomfortable wooden shoes – that's how a lot of us have been taught to think about wind power.

GREG: Well, cue the class action lawsuit, because you've been taught wrong. Wind power is working, right here in North Carolina. And we have Jeremy and Addie to prove it.

BILLY: Addie Randall and Jeremy Peang-Meth run Blue Sun Renewable Energy, which distributes Windspire, a new kind of turbine. And they're building a water-front community, Cedar Shores, which will use the new turbines www.bluesunrenew.com. Let's grill'em.

GREG: So, the whole wind power = wooden shoes syndrome?

JEREMY: America wants both wind and wooden shoes. There's a great analogy here... Wooden shoes are actually good for your posture, especially the new high tech versions...

BILLY: "No cannibalism - no matter how bad the economy gets." A friend says that's her big resolution for '09. While I appreciate her not looking me over like I'm a cheeseburger, it seems we can shoot a little higher. Especially on the green front. What are you and your pals pledging?

GREG: Beyond the normal exercise more, eat better and try to work a little harder on not operating Ponzi schemes, a lot of the people I know are making big resolutions to become more sustainable. For me, it is a matter of biking to work and places where it is feasible. What about you?

BILLY: I want to get all of the Triangle in on one BIG resolution. I yearn for a mass movement. You know ... Peace and love! Obama! Tapas menus! So I'm thinking we all rally around one of the following resolutions:
1.) Unplugging our power cords. It bugs me that even when I put my Mac to sleep, the cord is still sucking juice. Call...

BILLY: Ah, Christmas. For every "Ho ho ho," the planet moans back, "No no no!" But in this post, meet the elves of energy efficiency and green giving!

GREG: Aw, wow, Billy, are you offering to offset my entire holiday plans? Including my trip to see my pen pal in Tokyo? Well, maybe that is too much to ask, but would it be rude to inquire what kind of sustainable present you bought me this year?

BILLY: With all the pen pal, grandma and other trips, plus the lights, wrapping paper and petroleum-based gifts, Christmas is a steep climate change challenge. No hint on your present ('cause I still have no clue), but count on grocery bag wrapping paper made fancy and hip by a bow created from old VHS tape. Any hints on what I can do to green my Christmas tree?

GREG: Well, you could take...

BILLY: It's Thankstuffing and I feel guilty.

GREG: Because turkeys are people too, and you detest cruelty to cranberries?

BILLY: Of course, but also because I haven't done enough to green up the house or the office. It's like I'm saying, "Thanks" and the cosmos is shooting back, "Any time, lazy. Now get moving!" But how?

GREG: Make room at your table for Maria Kingery, co-founder of Southern Energy Management. She specializes in making the world – homes, offices etc. – more sustainable. She's also funny and fervent. Maria, though we're at the top of the interview, let's get down to the bottom of all this. Making a home or office more energy efficient is right in general, but is it right for Billy's wallet?

MARIA: Well. . . my mother always told me not to discuss money,...

BILLY: Change. Hope. Green. When our president-elect was just another guy with an itch to rule the world, we heard a lot about those three items.

GREG: We got the change. I can still feel the hope. Now, what about the green?

BILLY: Right. Do you have Barack's mobile number in your i-BamaPhone?

GREG: I tried. He's busy counseling Oprah on her next book pick. So, we've got the next best thing: Brian Buzby, executive director of the North Carolina Conservation Network. Brian brings together folks with green interests to take action and get results.

BILLY: Well, let's see if this conversation results in edification. Brian, during the campaign, we heard about creating a 'green economy.' Please explain.

BRIAN: Basically, a green economy means creating jobs that protect the environment instead of the old thinking that says it's "jobs versus...