35. Charlotte, NC

New Alternatives in the Pipeline

Charlotte, NC: New Alternatives in the Pipeline

Charlotte is named after a British queen—ironic considering it was known as the “hornet’s nest of rebellion” during the Revolutionary War. The “Queen City’s” ranking remains virtually unchanged since 2006. If Charlotte could channel some of that revolutionary spirit toward sustainability, it could potentially reign supreme in the future. Air quality is an issue these North Carolinians wrestle with—they have frequent ozone non-attainment days. Locally, the city adopted greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in 2007. But air quality issues may not be so easy for Charlotte to correct without multi-state cooperation, since its topography naturally traps pollution blown in from neighboring states. It may be getting some assistance soon, though. North Carolina has filed suit against the Tennessee Valley Authority to force it to reduce emissions from coal-fired plants. As one of the fastest growing regions in the nation (between 2000 and 2008, the city’s population grew 29 percent), Charlotte officials have turned their attention to smart growth. Up until five years ago, the trend was to build new subdivisions on the periphery of the city, but lately, growth has been channeled to downtown areas through redevelopment and infill, says Assistant City Manager Julie Burch.

(Photo by jbarreiros)

Charlotte's Rankings

Charlotte sustainlability rankings chart Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.
Charlotte, NC: city chart

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Everblue Training Institute

Everblue BPI Certification Course - Charlotte

This BPI training program will bring you new business for years to come! more »

Everblue Training Institute

Everblue BPI Certification Course - Charlotte

This BPI training program can bring you new business for years to come. By using building science technology to help customers solve heating, cooling and air leakage problems that are driving high energy costs, you'll also provide them with a more comfortable, safe and durable home. more »

Government Contract Director - Moore & Van Allen

Seeks for an experienced Government Contract Director to participate in the continued development of its government contracts in the environmental/sustainability areas. more »

Cities Compared
Cities Compared: Coastal vs. Inland Cities

Cities Compared: Coastal vs. Inland Cities

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Which is the greater danger - nuclear warfare or the population explosion? The latter absolutely! To bring about nuclear war, someone has to DO something; someone has to press a button. To bring about destruction by overcrowding, mass starvation, anarchy, the destruction of our most cherished values-there is no need to do anything. We need only do nothing except what comes naturally - and breed. And how easy it is to do nothing. —Dr. Isaac Asimov

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