Top 10 Green Cities in America

With global warming the latest buzz, it's no wonder that the world has a need for green. However, we all know that urban areas are the places that harbor the most pollution. These are the places we really need to target to clean up our atmosphere. And better yet, there are already dozens of cities leading by example, serving as role models for other cities around the world to become more eco-friendly. Here are the top ten most eco-friendly cities in the United States:

Portland, Oregon
This is undeniably the most green city in the United States. Almost half of all the power it uses comes from renewable sources, like wind power, solar energy, hydroelectricity, and biomass. About a quarter of the whole workforce has taken strong initiative toward become more eco-friendly: they use bikes, carpools, or public transportation to get to work. Portland also devotes areas to parks and encourages all of its residents to focus on recycling; with all of these factors combined, going green is a major priority in Portland, Oregon.

Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has over 12,000 acres of land set aside for public parks and waterfront space. In addition, it has received four of the highest ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council for city projects. Chicago also pioneered the fuel-burning power plant that produces twice the energy and only uses a third of the carbon compared to traditional methods.

Boston, Massachusetts
Boston has one of the best, most green public transportation systems in the United States. In addition to having well above-average air quality, there is significant carpooling and public transportation that most people don't have to individually drive and put more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition, Boston has a unique, efficient grass power system which uses grass and yard clippings to produce methane. With as much methane as the systems produce, the city can power at least 1.5 megawatts' worth of generators.

Oakland, California
This is a very balanced city in terms of environmentalism. While recycling is a priority, so is the devotion to new electricity sources and public parks. However, possibly most important is the novelty they created in Oakland: the zero emission bus. This hydrogen-powered bus emits absolutely no carbon dioxide into the air, only water vapor. As of now, though, it is only a showcase item and is quite expensive; that is, until the additional expected seven buses come along.

San Francisco, California
Although San Francisco has almost one of the most green transportation systems in the United States, the city is known for another prominent innovation. The Moscone Center has 60,000 square feet of photovoltaic cells on its roof, otherwise known as a solar panel. In fact, even on the days when the sun is not its strongest, the institution is still able to power over 180 homes throughout San Francisco.

Eugene, Oregon
Eugene has the most developed and efficient system for drawing energy from renewable sources in the United States. In fact, much of the city is energized by multiple hydroelectric dams, while an additional portion is powered by wind energy. To conserve energy, the city purchases excess energy from individual houses which own solar panels.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
While the city does not have a huge focus on recycling or land reservation for parks and other natural lands, the local legislature has encouraged its city to go green. In 2007, the program City of Lakes gave out $70,000 to anyone or organization that promoted and took action toward going green.

Denver, Colorado
This city is above average across the board, though is in the top ten for another reason. When new concrete is placed into the ground, it often released sulfur and carbon dioxide in the air. However, the mayor of Denver recently passed a law replacing 20% of the concentration mix with a substance called fly ash, a by product of coal-burning power plants that is sent straight back into the ground. Now, fly ash can be used more efficiently on the streets and walls of Denver, Colorado.

New York, New York
Unfortunately, this city depends hugely on energy that goes through an environmentally harmful process. On the brighter side, though, as one of the United States' most urban and industrialized cities, public transportation plays a huge role. Over 54% of all New York residents take the public transportation system to work, meaning a far more effective method of carpooling instead of individual driving. When my dad used to work in New York, he claimed that it was almost more of a hassle to use a car. Walking, biking, and public transportation is the preferred method of commute, making New York the leader in green transportation.

Lexington, Kentucky
Among all of the cities in America, Lexington has one of the most green-focused communities. Encouraged by the legislature and promoted throughout the city, citizens recycle everything they can, ranging from paper to plastics to metals. Behind employment and public safety, environmentalism was the next biggest concern for the people of Lexington, Kentucky.

Source:
Elizabeth Svoboda, "America's 50 Greenest Cities." Popular Science.