15. Washington, DC

Leading by Example

Washington, DC: Time to Get Green

The nation's capital may have slid a few spots in SustainLane's rankings this year, but Washington, DC is still making positive steps towards becoming a more sustainable city. The city recently established the Office of Policy and Sustainability, and it's developing a comprehensive sustainability plan. As part of Mayor Adrian Fenty's Green Collar Jobs Initiative, a task force is compiling a directory of local and regional green businesses. DC continues to have one of the best farmers’-markets-per-capita ratios in the country for a major city, and it still leads the nation in city commuting—thanks to public transit, carpooling, and Washingtonians' own two feet. In other news, DC's water authority voted in 2008 to discontinue a multi-million dollar program replacing the system's lead service pipes, saying other lead-reduction measures have rendered the program unnecessary. We don't know about you, but since scientists discovered "intersex" fish in the Potomac, we prefer not to put our lips anywhere near DC tap water.

A view down an escalator at a Washington D.C. Metro Station. (Photo by dbking)

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Washington's Rankings

Washington sustainlability rankings chart Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.
Washington, DC: City Graph

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Latest Comments
Ken O.
Ken O. says

Hey DCB, you should check out this advocacy group in DC if you haven't already:

http://www.waba.org/

Happy Cycling! more »

DC B. says

It woulb be nice if there were more bike lanes in DC more »

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Washington Talk

Enterprise Business P.

Sr. Director, Green Policy

The senior director for green policy develops and leads effective strategies to influence and support public policy decisions primarily at the federal level regarding energy efficient, healthy and environmentally sustainable affordable housing. more »

Annie S.

Executive Director, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director to lead ICLEI USA’s growing operations. more »

Sherri N.

Duke Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management - D.C. Info Session

The DEL Program is hosting a free info session and reception in D.C. on Dec. 3 at 6:30 PM! Free event. Register at nicholas.duke.edu/delinfo more »

Cities Compared
Red Mayors vs. Blue Mayors

Red Mayors vs. Blue Mayors

Is there any link between political affiliation and sustainability policy? We ran the numbers!

Data always beats theories. 'Look at data three times and then come to a conclusion,' versus 'coming to a conclusion and searching for some data.' The former will win every time. —Matthew Simmons

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