Earth Month: Five Green Cities Around the World

Thousands of cities, big and small, around the world have embraced the green movement over the last few years, with many more following their lead. From innovative recycling programs to adding more green space, it actually is becoming easy to be green around the world.

With Earth Month in full swing, we’re putting the solar power spotlight on five cities making a difference fighting climate change and doing their part to make this world a cleaner place to live.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Did you know? Roughly 1/3 of all residents of Copenhagen use a bicycle to commute to and from work! Even with those impressive stats, the city plans to push for more bike usage from residents and visitors by about 50 percent over the next three years. The city also hopes to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2015 and become the world’s first CO2 neutral city by 2025.

San Francisco, California

In 2011, San Francisco beat out 26 other major U.S. and Canadian cities in a report by Economist Intelligence Unit in five out of nine metrics including green buildings, transportation, water, energy and air quality.

Vancouver, Canada

The greenest city in Canada and second greenest in North America (behind San Francisco), Vancouver is aiming to become the world’s greenest city by the year 2020. Home to over 200 parks, Vancouver makes great use of renewable sources for power, with a majority of it via hydroelectric power.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Thanks in large part to its location; Reykjavik makes use of geothermal energy generated underground from hot springs. The city is able to generate electricity and heat 95% of all their buildings.

Melbourne, Australia

Recently named the world’s most livable city, Melbourne is also finding ways to become the greenest. By 2020 they plan to achieve zero-net emissions thanks to a six-goal plan put in place by the city council which includes strict green building codes and improved city planning. Melbourne is home to Australia’s first carbon-neutral public transportation operator.

What green cities that didn’t make our list do you think deserves recognition as well. Leave a comment below. Also share your personal act of green and enter to win a trip for four to Thailand or Costa Rica with the G Adventures Earth Month contest!