Find out which places make the grade and why.
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Portland, Oregon
The recipient of numerous green and sustainability awards, Portland, Oregon, recently earned the highest score in a Popular Science ranking of America's 50 Greenest Cities. The city was also the first in the nation to adopt a Global Warming Action Plan and now half the energy it consumes is renewable. Strict zoning laws, a bike-friendly culture, and a commitment to green buildings have helped Portland avoid some of the sprawl and environmental degradation that's afflicted other western cities.
(Photo: Travel Portland)
Portland, Oregon
The recipient of numerous green and sustainability awards, Portland, Oregon, recently earned the highest score in a Popular Science ranking of America's 50 Greenest Cities. The city was also the first in the nation to adopt a Global Warming Action Plan and now half the energy it consumes is renewable. Strict zoning laws, a bike-friendly culture, and a commitment to green buildings have helped Portland avoid some of the sprawl and environmental degradation that's afflicted other western cities.
(Photo: Travel Portland)
Vermont
It's easy to be green in the Green Mountain State, where residents have long been committed to environmental protection and heritage preservation. Currently Vermont is working on revitalizing the downtown areas of its many historic communities through the Vermont Downtown Program, and the state's Northeast Kingdom region has partnered with National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations to implement tourism practices that protect the destination's environment and culture.
(Photo: iStockPhoto.com/Denis Tangney)
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Winner of the World Travel & Tourism Council's top destination award in 2007, Australia's Great Barrier Reef was recognized for the effective partnership between the government and the local tourism industry that work together to protect it. The Reef is threatened by toxic runoff, global warming, and overfishing.
(Photo: Tourism Queensland)
Dominica
Unlike many other Caribbean islands blighted by massive resorts, cruise ports, and casinos, rainforest-covered Dominica has made an effort to protect its environment and be the region's ecotourism destination. In 2004 Dominica was the first country to earn a designation as a Green Globe Destination from the eco-certification organization Green Globe 21.
(Photo: John Anderson)
New Forest National Park, England
Originally a royal forest created in 1079 by William the Conquer, New Forest National Park was designated a national park in 2005, making it the U.K.'s first national park to be established in nearly 50 years. The status was granted to protect some of Southern England's last remaining tracts of old growth forest, unenclosed pastureland, and heath land that is home to 3,000 free-wandering ponies and five species of deer.
(Photo: Britain on View)
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado, is one of the greenest ski towns around, thanks largely to the efforts of the Aspen Skiing Company, which operates Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk ski areas. In 2007 the company won the top Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award for its efforts, including being the first U.S. ski resort to purchase wind power and build certified green buildings. It also uses 100 percent renewable energy and created a nonprofit employee organization to raise money to protect mountain ecosystems.
(Photo: Brian Porter/Aspen Skiing Company)
Norwegian Fjords
In 2006, National Geographic Traveler Magazine awarded Norway's West Fjords the highest score in its destination scorecard ranking of 94 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Experts who graded the area were impressed by the fjords' unspoiled scenery and small farming communities.
(Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovasjon Norge)
San Francisco
A long-time forward thinker and actor on social and environmental issues, San Francisco has had a sustainability plan in place for nearly a decade. Almost half of San Francisco's residents commute by public transit, walking, or biking; more than 17 percent of the city of is green space; and voters recently chose to allocate $100 million in bonds to finance renewable energy projects.
(Photo: iStockPhoto/Sam Valtenbergs)
Greenbox, Ireland
A unique approach to conservation, Ireland's newly established Greenbox ecotourism zone comprises a portion of northwestern Ireland rich with unspoiled wilderness areas and ancient archeological sites. The Greenbox works to certify local tourism business in ecotourism and promote environmentally friendly travel through the region.
(Photo iStockPhoto/Jane Mcilry)
Sydney, Australia
Famous for its beautiful beaches and harbor and its outdoor-loving populace, Australia's Emerald City recently launched Sustainable Sydney 2030. Among the goals of this long-term initiative are revitalization of the city center, a more sustainable transportation system, more green space, and greater energy efficiency.
(Photo: iStockPhoto/Kim Pin Tan)
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