Changing the World One Eco-City At a Time

Some folks build a community around a passion for the environment. Others take a community and make it passionate about the environment.

In England's Ashton Hayes, a not-so-sleepy town of about a thousand people, one man convinced his town to go carbon neutral and save the planet for their grandkids. How'd he do it? On a cold night, he promised them sparkling wine and warm apple pie, and about 75 percent of the town showed up to his presentation.

The town isn't neutral yet, but it slashed its emissions by 20 percent in its first year. Townspeople replaced their old lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, unplugged their electronics, installed solar panels, boosted their recycling programs and planted trees. A local pub even began unplugging the refrigeration for its beers at night, after checking that it caused no adverse effects on the brews, of course. In addition to initiating and reaching lofty environmental goals, the townspeople say the initiative created a new closeness in the community, and saved people money by reducing their energy bills.

To read about the town's progress or watch a short video about their efforts, including a group of kids rapping, click here to visit the town's "Going Carbon Neutral" website.

It may be easier to convert a small town than a big city, but nonetheless, this town is inspirational for people everywhere.

If you're interested in other eco-cities, the crew at Jetson Green is keeping track of cities like the Swedish suburb Hammarby Sjöstad. The new city will eventually house about 25,000 people in only 11,000 units. Families live in apartments, prefab is the norm and public transportation helps people decrease car use. In China, Dongtan aims to be the first carbon-neutral city in a country that may surpass U.S. emissions levels by 2009 and where 40 percent of Chinese cities lack sewage treatment facilities. And in Abu Dhabi, plans are in place for a new zero-carbon, zero-waste city.