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Green has long been a significant word in the Triad.

It conjures images of the area’s lush rolling hills and leafy streets.

And, obviously, it’s in the name of the region’s largest city (although, of course, that’s a tribute to Revolutionary War Gen. Nathanael Greene, not the foliage).

But in the recent usage of the term — environmentally friendly, energy-saving, efficient — the Triad, along with the rest of the country, hasn’t had the best record.

But that’s changing — rapidly.

Nowadays, it’s hard to find a town or city that isn’t taking steps to become greener. Fleets that use less gas. Energy-efficient buildings. Planting trees. Creating bike paths and sidewalks.

Schools are getting involved, as well. A number of new schools have been designed with efficiency in mind.

The recently opened Northern Middle School, for example, features solar water heaters and windows designed to maximize natural light.

Private business is taking a similar path. A number of recent real estate developments, such as the Village at North Elm in Greensboro, include a mix of uses, allowing residents to walk to nearby shops and workplaces. Many new buildings are including systems that save on energy use.

Individuals are following suit, too. Driven by a mix of bottom-line financial concerns and idealism, many homeowners are looking to use less energy and other resources.

Some are rethinking their lawns, turning water- and chemical-hungry grass into mulch and maintenance-light plants and trees. Others are installing solar panels or cutting down on household waste.

There also is a growing interest in locally grown food and in food produced without as many chemicals and pesticides. Instead of produce grown in South America, many are seeking out fresh fruits grown locally. Growers at area farmers’ markets report a boom in business as customers increasingly want to know where their food is coming from and how it’s grown.

In some areas, the effort to become greener is still a work in progress.

Although cities have been busy creating new sidewalks, many aren’t seeing much use, perhaps because residents are unaccustomed to walking or because decades of separating homes from shops and offices has made the distances too great.

An effort to carefully plan a potential hot spot — the “Heart of the Triad” project involving parts of eastern Forsyth and western Guilford counties — has been slow to yield concrete results.

And even some positive steps might be only half-measures. An energy-efficient building positioned in a place that generates more driving, such as a new school far out in the county, might have a net negative effect.

But the economic woes affecting everyone could mean a fresh look at many of these issues in the future. As energy prices continue their long-term rise, the demand for more efficient buildings and shorter commutes should rise as well.

The exact path remains unclear, but in the end, the Triad seems likely to become a more environmentally friendly place in the coming decades.

Combine that with the area’s existing bounty of natural treasures — parks, lakes, and easy access to the mountains and beaches — and it’s clear that the Triad’s future is a green one.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jason.hardin@news-record.com