Many factors go into ranking a city as eco-friendly or “green.” The city must use all its tools to enhance use of renewable resources. Clean water & its availability, air and noise pollution, traffic congestion & automobile exhaust, waste removal, etc. are all considered when ranking eco-sustainability.
Calgary was noted as not just Canada’s but the world’s most eco-friendly city, determined by business analyst organization Mercer. Anyone familiar with contemporary Calgary might raise eyebrows because, on any given day, you can see a brown, traffic-induced haze of smog hovering above the skyline. According to Mercer, what boosts Calgary to the top of the list is its new $430 million waste water treatment facility at Pine Creek. Other factors include the city’s outstanding waste removal and sewage systems.
Ranked as number 4 was Vancouver [pictured], followed by Ottawa at number 14. Commonly known as the gateway to the Pacific Rim, Vancouver certainly has its share of rain and overcast skies, and yet for anyone who has visited the spacious and impeccably groomed parks, clean air, coupled with first-rate restaurants and a vibrant cultural lifestyle, make this city a top scorer in the eco-friendly category. It also has ample outdoor activities such as the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, Baden Powell Trail and the bike trail along the harbour for residents and visitors to take advantage of. In 1989, the city partnered with BC Hydro as a Power Smart Partner to reduce electrical energy us — thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This ultimately has aided the city in saving costs in electricity, natural gas and water use.
Ottawa has long been considered one of Canada’s most educated cities. More recently, it garnered praise for reducing its carbon footprint. Cost of living here ranks among Canada’s least expensive, despite recent expansion and development of green living communities and eco-friendly technology. Last fall, terra20 opened: Canada’s largest one-stop eco store (15,000 square feet), featuring 400 vendors from the Ottawa area who either make or sell eco-friendly products.
