San Francisco, California- Citizens as a whole are very environmentally conscious.
Voters supported $100 million in revenue bonds to support renewable energy.
Large consumer of eco-friendly cleaning products,
signaling non-toxic lifestyles are common.
Portland, Oregon-
The city plans to use 100% renewable sources by 2010.
Parking meters are solar powered.
Employs fuel cells powered by waste methane.
Ambitious goals towards clean environment.
Large consumer of eco-friendly cleaning products.
Chicago, Illinois-
Initiated Environmental Action Plan in 2005
Agreed to buy 20% of its electricity from solar, wind and other renewable sources of energy by next year.
Seeking options to reduce waste and increase recycling.
Austin, Texas-
Seeking to use its ample sun to use 35%
renewable energy sources by 2020.
Paving way for other Southern cities to become
more eco-friendly.
15% of city space devoted to parks.
Goal of becoming number one solar energy provider.
32 miles of bike trails
Iowa City, Iowa-
Environmentally conscious residents.
Many city parks, bike and pedestrian friendly.
Cleaner water standards and recycling efforts.
Large per capita consumer of eco-friendly products.
Madison, Wisconsin-
3 bicycles for every 2 cars, over 100 miles of bikeways.
Excellent air quality, recycling and energy renewal programs.
Boulder, Colorado-
25% of citizens commute without a car.
Surrounded by 60 square miles of public parkland and designated open space, about twice the size of the actual city, containing miles of trails and giving residents unprecedented access to clean land.
Honolulu, Hawaii-
Very high clean air and water standards.
2nd best overall for small particle pollution.
Aggressively protects its shorelines.
Excellent energy programs and converted
city vehicles to bio-diesel fuel.
Minneapolis, Minnesota-
Devotes 15% of land to parks and preserves.
6th best overall water quality.
23% of residents commute without a car.
Aggressive move towards renewable energy sources.
Large consumer of eco-friendly products.
Lenox, Iowa-
Small city, big environmental ideas.
60% of energy from hydroelectric power.
New wind turbine generates 10% of energy needs,
replacing power from fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
10% of residents volunteer money each month
towards renewable energy.
If more cities across the United States and the world would adapt eco-friendly policies
like these 10 cities we’d be a much cleaner planet. The efforts put forth show that
trends are swinging towards a more non-toxic, environmentally conscious mentality.
Couple renewable energy sources, recycling, pollution efforts and clean water standards along with the widespread use of eco-friendly cleaning products; we could make a large impact on global warming and bad health caused by the pollution of our resources, air, water, etc.
