Preserving the environment, go green and sustainable developments are the frequently used words in this present world. Some of the top 10 green U.S. cities in 2011 listed on the mnn network are Portland, San Francisco, Boston, Oakland, Eugene, Cambridge, Berkeley, Seattle, Chicago and Austin. America’s eco friendly mayors have played a vital role and are dedicated to the green issues. Few of the notable mayors are Gavin Newson who passed the law to ban the plastic bags in San Francisco for the first time in 2007 and made recycling obligatory. Mayor Michael Bloomberg who is responsible for encouraging green roof construction and creating new bike lanes in New York city. Mayor Richard M.Daley is accountable for the 3 million square feet of green roof construction across the Chicago city.
There are many officials, laws signed by mayors, ordinances and policy makers devoted to green development and saving the planet. But are all these endeavor focused only for the cities that already have a sustainable presence? USA today mentions Philly as “capital of toxicity”. The “Most Toxic Cities in America” released by Forbes in 2009 comprises Bakersfield and Fresno in California and Atlanta in Georgia. What are the environmental actions in these communities? Are they successful? Are cities trying too hard to redevelop communities that already have a sustainable presence?