2008

Chicago, IL

Local City Rankings Article

Chicago, IL: The Wind at Its Back

When environmental officials send you a several-pages-long "Bird Agenda" for their city, you know they've got all their little eco-ducks in a row. Long-serving Mayor Richard Daley is committed to making Chicago a healthy and attractive place for all creatures great and small, and for residents and visitors alike. The mayor has had greening on his mind since he first entered office in 1989, implementing progressive and sometimes controversial measures.

City Rankings Article

Study Overview

Which cities are more self-reliant and better prepared for our uncertain future? Which cities are operating business-as-usual? The SustainLane 2008 US City Rankings of the 50 most-populous cities is the nation’s most complete report card on urban sustainability. Forged in 2005 and now in its third edition, the peer-reviewed rankings add an essential new metric this year: Water Supply.

City Rankings Article

2008 City Rankings "Mega-Trends"

While researching US cities for sustainability information, we couldn’t fail to notice widespread “green trends” taking place throughout 2008.

Seattle, WA

Local City Rankings Article

Seattle, WA: Protecting a Promising Future

If Seattle’s 2006 SustainLane ranking had you considering a move to the coast, it’s time to call the movers. The Pacific northwestern metropolis is once again sitting pretty near the top of the SustainLane heap at number three. And by "pretty" we're referring to its location between Puget Sound and Lake Washington and to its easy access to just about any kind of outdoorsy activity your sustainable heart desires.

Denver, CO

Local City Rankings Article

Denver, CO: On the Fast Track

In 2008, Denver played host to what planners hope will go down in history as the "greenest" political convention ever. The city's sustainability director reports that more than 25,000 miles were clocked on the 1,000 free bikes available for conference-goers' use. In fact, the bikeshare program was so successful, the Mile High City is planning to start its own. In other news, if Denver's utilities division crunches its numbers right (and we trust that they do), then by the end of 2008, the city will have increased its renewable energy portfolio by nearly 1000 percent since 2005. With momentum like that, Denver could meet the higher end of its goal of 20 percent renewables in less than five years. Denver's on track and moving forward in most SustainLane categories, but what we're really dreaming of is an increase in its solid waste diversion rate (9.5) by 1000 percent!