2011 Heart of Green Awards

Winner: New York City
Named by the Natural Resources Defense Council as a Smarter City for Transportation in 2011 and a Smarter City for Energy in 2010, New York City is following through on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ambitious PlaNYC. Now in its fourth year, the plan envisions a sustainable future for the city even as its population increases. Under the plan, the city's greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced 30% through a number of initiatives, from building energy efficiency standards to expansion of bicycle commuting lanes. Notable accomplishments in the last year include making Times Square into a pedestrian-friendly causeway, planting thousands of trees and fighting to get hybrid taxis on the streets.

About the Nominees

Each of these cities has been identified by the NRDC as a leader in the U.S. in fighting climate change, providing green space, using renewable energy, building efficient buildings, reducing waste, providing local healthy foods or otherwise going green. Which do you think is the greenest? Or maybe you think your community is doing more than these cities? Tell us.