Issues > March/April 2006 (#113) > The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2006

The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2006

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7. Berkeley, CA (score 7.285, pop. 102,743)

Berkeley's distinguished history as a center of politically progressive thought extends well into the environmental movement, and the city currently boasts the highest number of members of environmental organizations of any city in the U.S. Located on the gorgeous San Francisco Bay, Berkeley shares the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system with neighboring Oakland and San Francisco, linking all three cities in a community where organic rules. Berkeley requires that all new city-owned buildings be built to LEED Silver standards and has created a sustainable development fee on all new permits to pay for the creation of green building guidelines for residential, multi-family and commercial buildings. Nineteen percent of Berkeleyites commute on public transport and besides BART and the bus system, residents also may take advantage of the city's car sharing program. The green thumbed may work the earth at over 20 community gardens, and their children can get a start at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School's Edible Schoolyard program where students grow, harvest and prepare organic food.

8. Honolulu, HI (score 7.055, pop. 371,657)

Renowned for its clean air and pure water from Oahu's aquifer, Honolulu is among America's healthiest cities, with a mild climate that encourages outdoor activities along the 28 acre Kaka'ako Waterfront park. Although Honolulu draws 89 percent of its energy from imported oil, Bill Brennan, press secretary to the mayor, notes that seven percent of its power is from burning garbage. The city's H Power Plant burns 500,000 tons of waste annually helping cut down on landfilled trash. To further reduce waste, this March Honolulu launched a lawn, garden and tree clippings or "greenwaste" recycling program. "This greenwaste is recycled here on the island," says Brennan. "It goes to Hawaiian Earth Products, which turns it into mulch and compost and provides it to the public for free on the site or packaged and sold in stores." The future looks green as well: By 2007, all new city buildings of over 5,000 square feet must meet LEED Silver standards.

Although the March 2006 sewage spill Honolulu suffered occurred too recently to be taken into account in this year's scoring, The Green Guide will report on the impact it has on the city's environmental health.

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