Top Eco/Green Cities?

[Pskhaat]

I know what the experts say about Green cities, but I'm curious what your ranking of the most environmentally conscious cities are?

I'll give a short list of those that are often cited. I think these are generally thought of being `green'.

1. Boulder, CO
2. Madison, WI
3. Seattle, WA
4. Burlington, VT
5. Coeur d'Alene, ID

What's your take?

 

[Jacket]

I can't disagree with Boulder being on top. Your list looks pretty good, although I'd through Portland, OR in there somewhere.

 

[TeleScooby]

I actually think portland jumped ahead of us when they completed their light rail system...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I think you mean Burlington, VT?

 

[Pskhaat]

I think you mean Burlington, VT?

Indeed I do,

and a complete mistype as I was recently looking at pictures from autumn in NH.

 

[upcruiser]

I'm curious as to what is being used to determine this list, variable-wise. I mean, while there is a ton of eco stewardship mentality in Boulder, it is in fact pretty congested with traffic still despite the high % of bikers. I think in many ways, there are a ton of smaller towns that have a much smaller footprint on the environment per capita due to the lack of such large population. Cool thread Scott.

 

[Pskhaat]

I think in many ways, there are a ton of smaller towns that have a much smaller footprint on the environment per capita due...

The list I provided was just what first came to mind; something that a CNN or NYT would list, but I also believe there have to be some better small eco-active towns.

Which towns/cities were you thinking?

 

[TeleScooby]

Bend, Or

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'm curious as to what is being used to determine this list, variable-wise. I mean, while there is a ton of eco stewardship mentality in Boulder, it is in fact pretty congested with traffic still despite the high % of bikers. I think in many ways, there are a ton of smaller towns that have a much smaller footprint on the environment per capita due to the lack of such large population. Cool thread Scott.

Very astute, Kristian. I've always thought Boulder was pretty hypocritical. A bunch of people espousing this righteousness and there are just as many oversized houses, SUV and one-person commuters as anywhere else in the Front Range. I would put Ft. Collins or something ahead of Boulder for putting their money where their mouth is. Heck, places like Highlands Ranch or Littleton have just as many people riding mass transit into work as anywhere. When I think of environmentally friendly towns Portland, OR comes to mind.

 

[Jacket]

Very astute, Kristian. I've always thought Boulder was pretty hypocritical. A bunch of people espousing this righteousness and there are just as many oversized houses, SUV and one-person commuters as anywhere else in the Front Range. I would put Ft. Collins or something ahead of Boulder for putting their money where their mouth is. Heck, places like Highlands Ranch or Littleton have just as many people riding mass transit into work as anywhere. When I think of environmentally friendly towns Portland, OR comes to mind.

Here's my brief assessment of the reality you describe (except the part about Highlands Ranch:shakin: ):

1. Most people who work in Boulder can't afford to live there, and have to commute in, creating the congestion.
2. The people that live there have so much money that they build the large houses and pretend to live green.

Regardless, there are many in Boulder that do preoccupy themselves with healthy eating, small business promotion, buying locally, preserving land, riding bus/bike, and otherwise creating a culture that is very environmentally and socially conscious. But some of these practices have made Boulder a place not livable for the average middle-class Joe, creating a town only available for young renters or the moderately wealthy. It's a bit of a catch-22, which is what makes some of these smaller, relatively unknown towns (like Bend) a better option for some.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

A bunch of people espousing this righteousness and there are just as many oversized houses, SUV and one-person commuters as anywhere else...

This unfortunately is a perfect example of what Park City is like. Research shows our carbon footprint per capita average here is almost twice the national average, despite being an "eco-minded" city in general. We also stomach the consumption of a lot of visitors who do not live here, but that said all the big houses and SUVs and such. You see massive excusions and such with a sticker that says "keep winter cool" and things like that..

 

[Beerman]

I know what the experts say about Green cities, but I'm curious what your ranking of the most environmentally conscious cities are?

I'll give a short list of those that are often cited. I think these are generally thought of being `green'.

1. Boulder, CO
2. Madison, WI
3. Seattle, WA
4. Burlington, VT
5. Coeur d'Alene, ID

What's your take?

How did Coeur d'Alene make your list?

 

[Pskhaat]

How did Coeur d'Alene make your list?

Total shot in the dark and from conversations from some extended family that live there. It's been a decade at least since I've been back up there. Curious, is it still more conservative than not? not as `green' as I've been told?

 

[Beerman]

Total shot in the dark and from conversations from some extended family that live there. It's been a decade at least since I've been back up there. Curious, is it still more conservative than not? not as `green' as I've been told?

It is still one of the more liberal areas in the state. The enviros have killed most of the logging in the area. However, I never would consider CDA "green." I have not lived in CDA since the early 90s, but I visit occasionally and I have not seen anything done to be considered a green city.