From: Jetson Green

By Preston Koerner | June 17, 2010 | topics: Development, Land Use, List, News

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 (click on the link above for more):

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.

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?