SustainLane.com now measures 16 areas of urban sustainability, with “water supply” added as a new measurement in 2008. The top 13 cities are labeled “Front-Runners” with the bottom 13 tagged as “Trailing.” Omaha placed in the middle group, “Hitting Their Stride”. According to their most recent report, Omaha now ranks 25th among the country’s 50 largest cities, which is an improvement in its 2007 ranking at 37th.
Omaha had its lowest score in the Metro Transit Ridership category (48th). However, according to Robert Braun, member of the Omaha Metro Area Transit Board of Directors, ridership increased significantly last summer as a response to the high gas prices. However, with gas now back below $3 a gallon, ridership in Omaha might slip back to its old level.
Sustainability progress is definitely being made in Omaha. An important new area is the marketing of Oma-Gro, which is a brand of compost being produced in the city. Other progressive Omaha actions include single stream recycling and increasing the number and variety of plastics being accepted for recycling. Also, the city is collaborating with the Green Omaha Coalition to encourage green living practices through outreach activities, educational programs, and proposing policy solutions.
Lincoln may have Big Red strongly competing for national rankings in athletics, but Omaha already has Big Green in the Nation’s top 25 in sustainable living!
