Today we’re looking at a follow up list to the 30 Greenest Cities in America, which is the top 10 green mayors of America’s largest cities. Initiatives include green energy, green building development and LEED certification, bottled water bans, public transportation, banning plastic bags, increased recycling rates and composting programs.
This list was compiled and published by Corporate Knights (CK). CK “is a media, research and financial products company focused on quantifying and animating clean capitalism drivers for decision makers.” CK has branched out into a magazine, as well as into Corporate Knights Capital. Corporate Knights Capital “a division of the leading publishing and investment research company [CK], [it] is [a] source for objective, data-driven ‘clean capitalism’ ratings for over 2000 companies globally.”
Top 10 green mayors of America’s largest cities:
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell (image credit: Rex Larsen | The Grand Rapids Press)
1. George Heartwell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: He put together a plan to help increase the areas recycling rate. In addition to this he supported LEED certified buildings, as well as the use of green energy. Despite these efforts Grand Rapids did not make the 30 greenest cities in America list.
2. Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles, California: He supported a transit plan that while it will cost over 13.7 billion dollars it will help to decrease the city’s traffic congestion over the next decade. Los Angeles ranked 23rd on 30 greenest cities in America list.
3. Raymon Thomas Rybak Jr., Minneapolis, Minnesota: He supported a ban on bottled water, as well as encouraging the use of tap water. Minneapolis ranked 8th on 30 greenest cities in America list.
4. Michael Bloomberg, New York City, New York: he advocated the green building program, which “will lead to over $700 million in energy savings annually by 2030.” New York City ranked 14th on 30 greenest cities in America list.
5. Michael Nutter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Has set the goal of making Philadelphia the United State’s greenest city by 2015. Philadelphia is currently tied for 8th on 30 greenest cities in America list.
6. Sam Adams, Portland, Oregon: this mayor started a curb side composting program, made public transit free for students, and banned plastic bags. Portland is currently tied for 1st on 30 greenest cities in America list.
7. Ralph Becker Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah: “created a pilot program for solar parking meters.” He also had more bike lanes built. Salt Lake City did not make the 30 greenest cities in America list this year.
8. Rahm Emanuel, Chicago, Illinois: “brokered deal to shut down two area coal fired plants.” He also started a Chicago infrastructure trust to help encourage energy-efficient retrofits. Chicago tied for 8th on 30 greenest cities in America list.
9. John Marks, Tallahassee, Florida: Established an educational campaign to help preserve Florida waterways. Tallahassee did not make the 30 greenest cities in America list this year.
10. Annise Parker, Houston, Texas: Parker “won the 2011 Mayor’s Climate Protection award for ambitious green building initiative.” Despite the work of their mayor, Houston did not make the 30 greenest cities in America list.
These mayors must be commended for their forward thinking policies and pushing forward an eco-friendly agenda. It’s astounding that four of the cities these mayors represent did not make the 30 greenest cities in America list. This tells us that these mayors are trying to catch up and compete with the cities ranked in the top 30 of 2012. Lists like this one not only highlight the best in their field, but also will work to inspire others to do better and help preserve the environment.
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