Nine Near Carbon Neutral Communities

At the moment, there's no silver bullet when it comes to achieving carbon neutrality, but there's also no shortage of ideas and effort.  Which community is most inspiring to you? - JetsonGreen

Popular Science just published an interesting roundup of green communities in an article now titled, "Nine of the World's Most Promising Carbon-Neutral Communities."  You'll recognize several of these communities as we've mentioned them previously.  What's important is the notion that reducing an environmental impact can be ultra effective when done on a large scale.

Here's the list:

• Best U.S. Project: Greensburg
• Holiest: Vatican City
• Fastest Transformation: Samsø Island
• Most Urgent: Maldives
• Most Expensive: Masdar
• Most Ambitious: Costa Rica
• Smallest: BedZED
• Most Resourceful: Dockside Green
• Most Down-to-Earth: Moreland, Australia

The above efforts certainly establish myriad models to consider.  Popular Science says, "carbon neutrality demands a global effort ... [it] requires a complete rethinking of how we have lived since the Bronze Age." 

On the other hand, some of these communities (and their plans) are extravagant and costly.  On a smaller scale, somewhat akin to Dockside Green, green neighborhoods are gaining in popularity, while LEED for Neighborhood Development continues to pick up steam. 

Media credit: Popular Science via JetsonGreen