Carbon emissions and pollution aren’t fun for anyone that wishes to travel. It’s for this very reason that we decided to list the cities that have green and nature living in mind. Obviously, no city is perfect, and most of them have a long way to go before they will reach ultimate sustainability. However, these cities benefit from quality of life as well as protection and conservations of our environment and earth. Should you decide to visit any of the below cities, allow them to inspire you to reduce your carbon footprint so you can become a true eco-friendly traveller.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, which is situated in Denmark, has been voted as the most eco-friendly city across the globe on multiple occasions. This is because the city is committed to developing green ways of sustainability and living. Biking is extremely popular in the city, and the town aims to ensure half its population cycles to school and work this year.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is green and progressive in more ways than their world-renowned coffee chops. The city is notorious for having more bikes than people and is considered the most bicycle-friendly town in the world. Biking not only provides a healthier population but also manages to reduce pollution and carbon emissions significantly.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is one of the cleanest cities you’ll ever visit. You’ll rarely find litter on the sidewalks, and the streets are well-maintained, regardless of when you decide to visit. The air is bright, crisp, and clear. The city is renowned for its cleanliness, incredible public transport system, and lack of heavy pollution/industry.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is considered a wild, crazy town but it’s also famous for keeping things green and clean. Berlin offers a variety of green spaces that have been beautifully incorporated into its urban landscape. In fact, it offers more parks than any other European city. Do yourself a favour and do the Alternative Green Tour in Berlin to learn about recycling and creating a green environment.

Portland, Oregon

Portland doesn’t just provide fantastic coffee shops and breath-taking views. It also offers a town filled with hippies, environmentalists, and people who absolutely love nature and everything earth-friendly. It’s considered one of the greenest places across the globe, providing 92,000 acres of green along with 74 miles of running and hiking trails.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is considered one of the most beautiful places on planet earth. It’s surrounded by miles of natural forests and parks, clear blue skies, and crystal blue waters. Half the population uses public transport, or bikes, or even walk where they need to be. As one of the most forward-thinking, tolerant, and progressive cities in the U.S, California is a great example for other states when it comes to keeping things clean and green.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is in the lead when it comes to major environmental strides in Africa. You’ll find plenty of bike routes and trails in the city apart from the commercial wind farms that are scattered around the city.

There is not a day that passes that the world doesn’t produce carbon dioxide and release it into the atmosphere. The sad part of this is that carbon dioxide will remain there for over one hundred years.

As the world’s carbon dioxide usage continues, it is increasing the temperature of the planet, and that is responsible for the “Global Warming Effect”. One way to combat this is to increase the use of alternative energy sources by replacing current technologies with those that do not produce carbon dioxide.

As world governments continue to embrace alternative energies sources, it is estimated that by 2050, a third of the world’s energy will come as a result of wind, solar and other resources that are deemed renewable.

As we continue that journey towards becoming a world that doesn’t produce carbon dioxide in our never-ending thirst for power we take a look at those that will be responsible for achieving that goal.

Wind Power

Wind power is far more affordable in comparison to current energies sources. First, it is pollution-free but does have some limitations. The main limitation is the number of windmills that are needed to produce large amounts of energy. They are seen by many as unattractive and an eye-sore to the environment and cannot be installed everywhere and are based on the flow of wind to be effective. They are also seen as costly to install, operate and maintain.

Solar Power

Solar power is the most popular alternative energy source, and the one that has the best reputation as being affordable, both to governments, industry and personal use. The benefit they offer is the amount of carbon dioxide that is saved from being released into the atmosphere. Governments that invest in solar also will prevent the need to burn coal and solar doesn’t produce smog, acid rain or other pollutants.

Biomass

Biomass and biodiesel are the most commonly used renewable energy sources. They are the opposite of fossil fuels that are created through geological processes. Biomass is the creation of biofuels from anaerobic and agriculture digestion. This includes ethanol from corn, a fuel that burns much cleaner than fossil fuels.

Tidal Power

Tidal power is somewhat new in the renewable energy field. It makes use of the oceans waves and tides to spin underwater turbines that create energy. One of the largest tidal power facilities in the world is in France. It operates much like a hydroelectric plant to produce electricity that is then connected to the power grid.

Geothermal

Geothermal is another renewable energy source that more governments are embracing. The best known for this resource is Iceland as they have a higher degree of geothermal activity under their surface. Geothermal uses the natural heat trapped within the earth to create steam and then use that steam to spin turbines that can be used for electricity or to heat homes.