If you are concerned about environment and want to go to school in a more environmentally friendly city, there are some things to consider. In 2008, one of the popular science groups conducted a study and ranked cities in different categories as they relate to how environmentally friendly they are. These categories are: green living, recycling, transportation and electricity. These are good benchmarks to use and all of the data can be easily found in the U.S. Census Bureau publications.
Cities that have the most buildings approved by the Green Building Council and the most parks and green recreational areas with large numbers of trees are ranked the highest in the green living category.
If the city offers great public transportation service and sees a considerable amount of people using it daily – it ranks high in the transportation category.
Cities that use alternative energy, such as wind and water, and have incentives for citizens to conserve electricity or use alternative energy sources, rank high in the electricity category.
Lastly, the recycling programs are considered. The more extensive the recycling program – the higher the ranking that the city gets.
It is important to keep in mind that while these programs are very progressive and useful, they are costly. Thus, if you choose to attend college in a “green” city – it will probably be more expensive. Higher property and sales taxes will cause the rent to be higher and you everyday things to cost more.
Many college students prefer to live in larger and more environmentally friendly cities, and with the green trend continuing, many more will. If you are unsure, choose balanced cities with a variety of green attractions – botanical gardens, parks, nature preserves, and a wealth of trees – these also help maintain better air quality. Some of the greenest cities in America are Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR and Boston, Mass.