Top 10 Green U.S. Cities
January 21, 2007
The SustainLane 2006 US city rankings of the 50 largest cities is the nation’s most complete report card on urban sustainability. The rankings explain how people’s quality of life and city economic and management preparedness are likely to fare in the face of an uncertain future. These indicators gauge, for instance, which cities’ public transit, renewable energy, local food, and development approaches are more likely to either limit or intensify the negative economic and environmental impacts of fossil fuel dependence.
Since the first SustainLane US City Rankings came out in Spring 2005, world events have made "sustainability" an even more vital concept. Hurricane Katrina has shown how vulnerable city dwellers can be, and also how our nation’s economy and way of life is dependent on often-unpredictable natural and market forces. After Katrina and Rita hit in late summer 2005 destroying New Orleans and Gulf oil processing facilities, gas prices shot up. Prices subsided only to move up again in 2006 to record levels because of global political events combined with steadily growing demand for oil in Asia.
Neither world politics nor global oil supplies are expected to be stable until the end of the decade or beyond. And the carbon emission-created global warming of the Atlantic’s water temperatures is influencing more stronger-than-average hurricane seasons. So the term "sustainability," officially defined as meeting the needs of the present generation so it doesn’t compromise the quality of life for future generations, has taken on new urgency.
Sure, Indianapolis has come a long way since 1984. It had a long, long way to come. And no doubt stealing the Colts helped them along some. But Baltimores Renaissance started deeper in the pits and soars higher than Indy’s ever will, and we did it despite a dozen years without an NFL team.
Quality of Life and Clean Technologies
Besides city energy crisis preparedness and natural disaster risk, SustainLane’s rankings cover quality-of-life indicators such as local food availability, tap water quality, air quality, walkability, park space and roadway congestion.
Providing an atmosphere for healthy living is only part of the picture. To illustrate the path cities need to take to maintain regional economic competitiveness, SustainLane’s city rankings track the growth of complementary clean technologies providing jobs and tax base expansion. Exciting developments in renewable energy, advanced transportation, alternative fuels and green building technologies are emerging in and around U.S. cities because of city policies and practices, combined with venture capital investment and consumer demand.
Ten Things YOU Can Do to Green Your Community
- Reduce Traffic and Air Pollution: Carpool, take public transportation, and organize bike-to-school or walk-to-school groups.
- Save Energy: Install a thermostat timer, Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent bulbs, and wash clothes in cool water.
- Save Gas: Inflate car tires properly for improved gas mileage; get regular tune ups and avoid idling for more than 30 seconds.
- Save Resources: Bring a travel mug to your local coffee shop or a shopping bag to the grocery store.
- Save Water: use a dishwasher instead of hand washing; use large dishwasher and clothes washer loads.
- Use the Power of Your Green: Avoid over-packaged products and disposable goods, buy food produced locally and in bulk.
- Garden Green: use drought-tolerant plants and avoid pesticides.
- Spare the Air: Reduce your peak time (3-6 p.m.) energy use during heat waves; drive less on high air pollution days.
- Get Local: Contact your local community leaders and find what is being done to ’green’ your town.
- Learn Who’s Green and Why: Find out what other communities have done to be green.
