Do You Know Green America?

Portland, Oregon is considered the choice green city for both Popular Science Magazine and the League of American Bicyclists. It has received platinum ratings for its recycling, renewable energy sources, overall green living standard, transportation choices, and bicycle-friendliness.

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5 of the Greenest Cities in the World to Visit

America's 50 Greenest Cities: Popular Science Ranks 'Em

This year's Green Index Survey pegged Americans as the least green consumers of anyone. Two of the big reasons we scored so badly were our large homes and poor transportation habits. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau report 55 percent of all Americans live in a 7-room house with only 3.22 individuals to take advantage of this space. According to the Green Index Survey, 58 percent drive alone daily rather than taking advantage of carpooling and public transportation, and 61 percent admitted to never using public transportation at all. But don't despair, we can turn it around America!

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Why Do American Consumers Score So Pathetically on the Greendex Survey?

Is it Greener to Shop Online or to Head to the Mall?

While the old CAFE standards didn't have U.S. vehicles at a required 35 mpg until the year 2020, a recent announcement by the Obama administration has moved it up to 2016. Starting in 2012, the American fleet will be required to improve their average fuel economy by 5 percent each year, ending at an average of 39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for light trucks by 2016. This move has been projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and 900 million metric tons of greenhouse gases within that five-year time period.

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Obama Announces New Fuel Economy Standards (35.5 MPG in 2016)

Obama Sets Disappointing Fuel Economy Standard for 2011

This is false. It is a common myth that a diesel engine needs to be modified before it can accept corn-based (or other vegetable-based) biofuels. It is also not true that the use of biofuels will void your new car warranty (if it does, you may want to seriously consider a different vehicle). Most diesel engine vehicles today are made to run on biofuel. The only time modifications might be in order, is if you plan on using SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) or WVO (Waste Vegetable Oil).

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Biodiesel: How It's Made, Environmental Impact, Where to Find a Fueling Station, and More

25 Things You Need To Know about Biodiesel

The Pika, is a mouse-like creature who makes its home in the cool, high mountainous regions of the Western United States. It has recently come to the attention of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that these creatures are literally being pushed off of the mountain tops. In other words, they are being forced to climb higher as temperatures rise, as they cannot survive above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, but are quickly running out of mountain to climb.

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Help Protect the American Pika

Endangered Pika 'Falling Off the Tops' of Mountains

I am very happy to say that this is completely false. For 2008 the United States actually overtook Germany and became the world's leader in wind production, and they are looking to do it yet again this year!

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Wind Power Manufacturing Jobs Grow in American Heartland

Wind power Expansion Helps U.S. Manufacturing

The answer is Theodore Roosevelt and George W. Bush. According to a Treehugger Survey of nearly 1,500 votes, 30 percent of voters chose Roosevelt as our greenest president and a whopping 37 percent preferred George W. Bush.

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The Top 10 Greenest US Presidents

Presidents Day Survey: Who is the Greenest President?

Jamais Cascio, the former managing editor of Worldchanging crunched the numbers for the carbon emissions involved with the typical quarter-pound cheeseburger. His calculations included feeding the cattle, growing the produce (lettuce, tomatoes, etc.), storage, transportation, and the final preparations for eating (cooking, etc.). Assuming the average American eats three hamburgers per week (150 a year), the total yearly carbon emissions involved (per person) for this American staple food, is around 1,000 pounds.

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The Carbon Footprint of a Burger

7 Low-Cost, Low-Emissions Foods

San Francisco, California, earns top ranking as the easiest city to get around on foot and is also home to the most fit and healthy American's. Not surprisingly, there appears to be a direct correlation with the most walkable cities and the most fit. It looks like hoofing it (walking) has a lot more benefit than just reducing your carbon footprint.

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Walk Score Ranks The Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the U.S.

Walk Score: Cool Green Google Map Mashup

Big Surprise: America's Fittest Cities are Also Most Walkable Cities