With technology evolving, more cities and countries are turning to sustainable energy. By 2050, it is predicted that over 67% of the planet’s population will be living in urban locations. With an increase in citizens planning to move to cities, more will consider going green. These three cities are going the extra step to ensure that they are leaders in renewable energy.
San Francisco, California
Home of Silicon Valley, San Francisco is filled with innovative companies such as Uber and Twitter. With creative leaders located in the area, you can expect that this location is going to lead in green technology. Their inventive technologies have improved energy efficiency in businesses and enhanced their transportation system. When you travel through the city, you will see hybrid-electric buses, with over half of them and the light rails releasing no emissions into the environment.
With the drought hitting California, San Francisco has reduced its water consumption to 49 gallons a day compared to the country average of 80-100 gallons. The city is conserving water, composting, and is aiming to be zero waste by 2020.
Vancouver, Canada
In 1990, Vancouver was the first city in North America to address the climate crisis on a public level. In 2012, they released a strategy titled “The Greenest City Action Plan” which laid out ten goals they aimed to achieve by 2020. These goals included expanding green jobs and buildings in the city.
Vancouver has pledged that by 2050 they would be 100% powered by renewable energy. The pledge is planning on targeting all energy through the city, including heating, electricity, and transportation. Vancouver has set the pace to be one of the greenest locations in the world for businesses and residents. The city is considered to have the lowest greenhouse gas emission per person compared to any other city in North America.
Singapore
Even with a population of over five million people, Singapore is one of the leading green cities in Asia. They developed a Sustainable Development Blueprint which outlined goals they are aiming to achieve by 2030. By this time, Singapore aims to improve energy efficiency by 35%. They intend to have 80% of their buildings verified green, and have a train station within 10 minutes of every household.
Singapore has made significant changes to their transportation system by building effective public transit. They also have limited car ownership among citizens, resulting in fewer cars on the road and less crowding. With fewer vehicles in the city, pollution is lessened and residents are happier.