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On Greensburg, the residents head to Chicago in their quest for green knowledge. And though the big city seems to have nothing in common with Greensburg, urbanites can make a difference in going green, too. They just have to find some new and different ways to stay green - along with doing much of the same.
Though the stereotypes would have you believe that city denizens are wasteful, careless energy consumers who thrive in smog infested streets, there are a lot of ways that just by living in the city you're already greener than those small town dwellers that presumably soak in the sun as they stroll to work under blue skies and pastoral backdrops. In reality, small towners are far more likely to drive regularly (and pump out those greenhouse gas emissions) than residents of certain cities, like New York, Boston, and Portland. In New York, for instance, more than half of the city (four million people) takes public transportation to work.
In fact, that'll head up our list of ways a city slicker can stay green:
- Take public transportation.
- Recycle. Most major cities have comprehensive recycling systems, so if you don't see a separate bin outside your building, make sure to ask your landlord about it.
- Buy local. Even though you may live some ways from a farm, it's likely there's a farmers' market or a Community Supported Agriculture program nearby.
- Stay conscious of the amount of electricity you're using when you're holed up in your studio apartment.
- Get involved. Check Craigslist or any local paper for green events or organizations in your neighborhood.
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