These days, the awareness of the environment and sustainable living practices has increased rapidly, bringing about a visible change in countless major cities. However, some cities have taken on the challenge more successfully than others, leading the way in preserving and protecting our planet for future generations to come. Different areas such as energy sources, transportation, lifestyle, and the environment have been evaluated across the US, with indicators such as carbon emissions being measured to determine what cities were the most sustainable.
It’s important to measure sustainability across all areas to draw attention to regions that could use improvements to better our planet. So, here are the 10 most sustainable cities within the US:
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu’s residents are dedicated to making this city a more environmentally friendly place, preserving natural resources as well as stunning landscapes.
Portland, Oregon
Portland comes with a lot of eco-friendly offerings, with a vast array of vegetarian food and mass transit options.
San Francisco, California
This city sets a prime example for others on how to be more sustainable. With a law that makes people keep recycling material separate from regular rubbish and a commitment to solar energy, San Francisco is taking action to be green.
Austin, Texas
Eco-friendly initiatives like bike lanes and farmers’ markets earn Austin a place on this list.
Washington, District of Columbia
Known for its eco-friendly features, the district displays increasing numbers of commuters going to work via bicycle.
Seattle, Washington
With hundreds of parks, there are green spaces readily available in Seattle. This city was also the first in the US to establish a carbon-neutral electric utility.
Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s capital is known for its parks, cyclist-friendly routes, and walkable trails.
Denver, Colorado
Denver is trying to do its bit for the planet by encouraging the use of electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and clean-up projects.
Boston, Massachusetts
As one of the most walkable cities in the US, Boston is known for its public green spaces.
Chicago, Illinois
With more than a whopping 600 parks, Chicago is also home to one of the highest numbers of green roofs in any US city.