Top Green Cities in America

The citizens of the United States are taking great strides to lessen their impact on the environment. With new advances in technology and more natural resources, cities are transforming to be more environmentally friendly.

Popular Science has listed America’s 50 greenest cities. They gathered information and statistics for American cities in categories that includes air quality, electricity use, and transportation habits. The cities scored points for drawing their energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power, as well as for offering incentives for residents to invest in their own power sources, like roof-mounted solar panels. High scores were given to cities whose commuters take public transportation or carpool. Cities earn points for the number of buildings certified by the US Green Building Council, as well as for devoting area to green space, such as public parks and nature preserves. Points are also for how comprehensive a city’s recycling program is and how important its citizens consider environmental issues.

Here are the top 10 US cities leading the way in successful environmental efforts:

1. Portland, Oregon
2. San Francisco, California
3. Boston, Massachusetts
4. Oakland, California
5. Eugene, Oregon
6. Cambridge, Massachusetts
7. Berkeley, California
8. Seattle, Washington
9. Chicago, Illinois
10. Austin, Texas

If your city didn’t make the list, start a green revolution. Lessen your environmental impact and become a model citizen to start influencing other to do the same.