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

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19. Minneapolis, MN (score 6.58, pop. 382,618)
• City-specific minimum wage
• Smoking ban
• High percentage of renewable biomass energy

20. Milwaukee, WI (score 6.5125, pop. 596,974)
• Green housing development
• Green space

21. Rochester, NY (score 6.43, pop. 219,773)
• High percentage of renewable energy
• Clean air
• Smoking ban

22. Albuquerque, NM (score 6.3475, pop. 484,607)
• Clean water
• Smoking Ban
• Wind power

23. Ann Arbor, MI (score 6.2875, pop. 114,024)
• High percentage of public transport and bicycle commuters
• High yard waste recover
• Green space

24. Seattle, WA (score 6.115, pop. 563,374)
• Large number of green buildings
• Very high percentage of hydroelectric power use
• Clean air and smoking ban

25. Kansas City, MO (score 6.055, pop. 441,545)
• Clean water
• City specific minimum wage
• U.S. Mayors Climate Protection signatory

Conclusion

American cities, in adopting Kyoto Treaty protocols and taking it upon themselves to build green, are putting themselves at the forefront of the environmental movement at a time when some have predicted its death. But like the once predicted death of cities themselves, forecasts for the demise of the green movement have been greatly exaggerated. Should it be any surprise that people prefer to live in healthier cities with more vibrant (and wildlife-filled) surroundings? Not to those who live there—or even visit.

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