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Sept. 23, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis has been named one of the most sustainable cities in the U.S. by SustainLane.com, an online people-powered guide to sustainable living. Minneapolis ranked number seven, moving up from number 10 in 2005, among the 50 most populous cities in the nation.

SustainLane’s rankings are based on 16 different indicators that cover many sustainable practice areas, including indicators such as local food availability, tap water quality, air quality, metro transit ridership, energy and climate change, and green building practices; the indicators show where cities are excelling or struggling. The rankings also take into consideration the chance of natural disasters and the preparation that cities have made to handle disasters.

Minneapolis ranked high among other cities in many indicators, such as the availability of local food and agriculture (#1), city innovation (#6) and green economy (#7). The city was referred to as a “Midwestern jewel of a city” and was also recognized for the climate change grants that the City awards to groups for funding projects aimed at tackling global warming.

“As a city on the cutting edge of environmental innovation, we’re so pleased that yet another esteemed group has recognized our environmental leadership,” said Mayor R.T. Rybak. “Creating a sustainable city is not only about protecting our urban environment and fighting global climate change, but also about rebuilding a new green economy that grows good manufacturing jobs. We’re working hard to grow green jobs and businesses, like ones that manufacture wind turbines, solar panels, and other renewable energy sources. These jobs create economic opportunity for our residents and at the same time help preserve some of the most valuable resources in our city.”

“Our people and our environment need to thrive together, and that’s why it’s our duty to do what we can to create a healthy and sustainable environment to live, work and play in,” said City Council Member Scott Benson, chair of the City Council’s Health, Energy, and the Environment Committee. “That is why we created 24 of our own environmental indicators that we examine annually to ensure that we are making the necessary improvements to make Minneapolis a more sustainable city, and in the end a more livable, vital place to call home.”

Creating a more sustainable community is a top priority for Mayor Rybak and many other Minneapolis leaders. The quality of life in Minneapolis is linked to the health and well-being of our community and our environment. Minneapolis has focused limited resources and reformed city government processes to be a more sustainable city, which means a city that meets its current needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This can be accomplished by balancing environmental, economic, and social equity concerns. All of us – residents, businesses and government – can take actions everyday that will make Minneapolis better today and create a positive legacy for future generations.

Since the sustainability initiative was launched in Minneapolis in 2003, a sustainability initiative has been developed that focuses on a series of 24 indicators, including things like air quality, affordable housing, bike paths, teen pregnancy, and tree cover. Each indicator includes specific numeric targets, which serve as goals for Minneapolis to reach in the coming years. To learn more about Minneapolis’ sustainability efforts, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability.

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Minneapolis named one of the most sustainable cities in the nation

Mayor Rybak cited as national green leader