21. San Jose, CA

Rapid growth over the last few decades has transformed this Silicon Valley capital from a farming town into the tenth largest city in the country. San Jose is now focusing on creating a culture and infrastructure of sustainability, and its goals are some of the most ambitious we’ve seen. Within 15 years the city plans to reduce per capita energy use by 50 percent, receive 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, divert 100 percent of its solid waste, and recycle or reuse 100 percent of its wastewater. City planners are also focusing their attention on high-density, transit-oriented development as well as a better-integrated bike- and trailway system. As in most cities, a rise in gas prices has increased public transit ridership, which may translate into voter support for a ballot initiative that expands BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit line. San Jose’s clean technology strategist envisions that within 50 years, residents will see “as close to a zero emission community as there will be in the entire country.” With such an educated, tech-savvy population and a record of producing path-breaking technology, we don’t doubt the city can do this. It does, however, need to pay attention to details like housing affordability if it wants to be truly sustainable.

(Photo by Elf)