2. San Francisco, CA

Still a Shining Example

If you can afford to live in this top-ranked SustainLane city, the first thing you may notice after moving here (once you're done gaping at the suspended marvel spanning the Bay) is how well this city recycles. After all, how many cities' solid waste and recycling centers have artists in residence? Mayor Gavin Newsom continues to lead San Franciscans in progressive measures: in 2007 the city was first in the nation to ban plastic bags at major grocery stores, and in 2008 it implemented the largest solar incentive program in the country. After allowing city hall's front lawn to be plowed into a summer-long vegetable garden installation, Mayor Newsom promised a first-ever city food policy that promotes urban gardens and calls for fruit-bearing trees on street medians. He pledged to get nutritious, locally-produced food onto the plates of anyone served a public meal in his city—which could bump San Francisco's score in our "local food" category. If the city ever implements its bicycle plan, it could raise its score in "metro congestion," too.

(Photo by Goodshoped35110s)

San Francisco's Rankings

San Francisco sustainlability rankings chart

Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.

« Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA »

Stories and Perspectives

Interview: Q&A

In August of 2008, SustainLane spoke with David Assmann, deputy director of San Francisco’s Environment Department and communications manager, Mark Westlund. The city had just passed an ordinance requiring every employer to offer commuter benefits to employees. Assmann and Westlund told us that one of the major challenges San Francisco faces in the next 50 years is sea level rise. If the ocean rises one meter, Assmann says, the city’s international airport will be under water.more »

SF's Green Thumb: City Hall Garden Provides Bumper Crop of Inspiration

In a nod to its past—and, some hope, its future—the city of San Francisco approved a Victory Garden on the front lawn of City Hall this past summer. The last time the lawns were dug up in favor of leafy greens was in 1943. By mid-August, gardeners were harvesting kale, bok choy, broccoli, beets, collard and mustard greens, and fifteen types of lettuce—all of it donated to a local foodbank. “We wanted a diverse array of plants to demonstrate the potential of what you can grow in San Francisco in your own backyard,” says John Bela, who designed and manages the garden.more »

Come Fog or High Installation Prices: Solar-Bent San Franciscans Will Not Be Deterred

Foggy San Francisco may not seem the likeliest city to lead the nation’s solar energy march, but in July 2008, Mayor Gavin Newsom signed off on a ten-year, multi-million dollar plan to encourage businesses and homeowners to go solar. The Solar Energy Incentive Program was developed to solve the ever-present conundrum: how do you get people to go solar when it costs so darned much for those photovoltaic (PV) panels? Their solution? Give them money.more »

San Francisco's Bicycle Blues: Would the City's Bike Plan do More Harm than Good?

As SustainLane’s top-ranked cities move aggressively to reduce their carbon footprints by building bicycle infrastructure, one city —surprisingly—is lagging behind. It’s not that San Franciscans aren’t pedaling; they are. The bike lane on downtown’s Market Street looks like a veritable cyclist highway at rush hour, and San Francisco ’s Bike Coalition is nearly ten thousand members strong. But the city known for its progressive politics (especially in the greenosphere), has been stymied in its efforts to improve bike routes.more »

San Francisco Policies Force LA-Transplant to Go Green

Submitted by Chantelle Tibbs

Alright, so let's keep it real. Everyone knows San Francisco is a green city. Even the way the words SAN and FRANCISCO roll off the tongue sound green. (If green could make a sound, that is). I knew this before I even moved to this fine city, but what I wasn't aware of was what shade of green San Francisco truly is. Bright, neon, fluorescent, deep, brilliant green!more »

Kicking the Car Habit San Francisco style

Submitted by Emmaly Wiederholt

I grew up in the southwest, where people start driving when they’re fifteen and stop when they leave this planet. My parents owned four cars while I was in high school, not because they have no regard for the environment, but because each driver in our household had separate places to be. In fact, my parents are fairly forward in their efforts to be green; the value of composting, recycling and gardening were instilled in me since childhood. A car for each driver just felt like a necessity.more »

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2. San Francisco, CA

Still a Shining Example

San Francisco's Rankings

Stories and Perspectives

Interview: Q&A

SF's Green Thumb: City Hall Garden Provides Bumper Crop of Inspiration

Come Fog or High Installation Prices: Solar-Bent San Franciscans Will Not Be Deterred

San Francisco's Bicycle Blues: Would the City's Bike Plan do More Harm than Good?

San Francisco Policies Force LA-Transplant to Go Green

Kicking the Car Habit San Francisco style

Get Started

San Francisco Discussion

San Francisco Talk

Discussion: San Francisco Launches First Airport Carbon Kiosks

Program Manager 1

Discussion: Compostable and biodegradable cups and plates make no sense if you don't compost them

Red Mayors vs. Blue Mayors

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