By Aylin Erman, Source: Eco-salon

portland

With plenty of greenery, bike paths, efficient subway systems and high air quality, the following 5 sustainable cities from around the world are sure to inspire you to make a change in your own community, or hit the road and move elsewhere.

1. Portland, Oregon

Portland stands as a green model for the rest of the nation, so much so that it became subject of numerous parodies on IFC’s show “Portlandia”. Since 1990, its per capita carbon emissions dropped 26 percent and it uses 20 percent more renewable energy than the national average. It was the first city to ban plastic bags and it was ranked as the number 1 most bikeable city in the U.S., with more than 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes. The Business Insider posted a fun infographic, detailing just how eco-friendly Portland is.

2. Vancouver, Canada

Hoping to be the greenest city in the world by 2020, Vancouver is an environmental-friendly powerhouse. It surpasses the world in its use of hydroelectric power, comprising 90 percent of its total supply. It has some 248 miles worth of bike lanes and is the lowest per capita carbon emissions compared to any other major city on the continent. By 2020, the city hopes to reduce emission by another 33 percent, implement strict green building codes and improve energy efficiency of the existing structures by 20 percent. The city also hopes to have electric vehicles account for 15 percent of total vehicle sales by 2020.

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