Lessons from the greenest city in the U.S.

By Lori Huskey

If you fly into Portland, Ore. you might pick up on the green friendliness the moment you land.

Even the toilets at the airport are eco-friendly. The dual flush toilets use less water for the thousands of daily passengers that frequent Oregon’s only international airport.

Once you head outside, you’ll notice the public transit system called TriMet. From here, you can take the train into the Portland area. TriMet prides itself on its sustainability and its transportation options support livability, ensure transit equity and promote human and ecosystem health.

TriMet eliminates nearly 201,800 car trips every day, stops 4.2 tons of smog-forming pollutants and 540 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the air and saves 60,000 gallons of fuel, according to the train’s website.

But what makes this transportation system different from others across America? There are a number of answers.

TriMet is the first public transit agency to use a NASCAR-inspired system that has a nearly four percent better fuel economy than standard buses.

It’s also one of the few systems that allows and encourages passengers to bring their bikes on board in order to make commuter connections.

Once you’ve reached downtown Portland you’ll also find that you can ride any of the trains, buses or streetcars for free within a given zone.

While TriMet continuously expands to meet the city’s needs, its innovative construction includes environmentally sensitive projects. Their site has information about their green initiatives from solar-powered bus shelters to recycling tires.

But wait, you’ve just arrived in Portland and you’re taking the train into town. You’ll want to take the (free) Portland Streetcar from downtown to the Portland State University farmer’s Market. Here you will find "A collection of urban green markets serving up to 22,000 shoppers per week providing a direct connection to over 250 vendors with deep roots in Oregon.”

If you only spend a short time at Portland State University, it’s worthwhile to learn about its pioneering success as a sustainable university and successful eco-minded alumni.

Try to make your city green like Portland, which was ranked the second greenest city in the world by Grist.org. Research your public transportation system, shop local, ride your bike and vote for the environment.

Going green can be hard, especially for an entire city or town, but its long-term effects are worthwhile. It’s much like going on a diet: it requires restriction and attention but it reaps benefits that impact the world as a whole.