Summary
Honolulu, Hawaii, is the cleanest city in the US thanks to strict anti-littering laws and efforts to combat pollution.
Honolulu has clean air due to wind patterns and environmental initiatives, such as tree planting and electric buses.
The city aims for 100% clean energy by 2045, with measures like requirements for new homes and free energy-saving replacements.
The height of summer has arrived and with it soaring temperatures and wildfires burning across much of the US. With the numerous fires, the air quality has declined rapidly, especially in cities where the quality is questionable many days of the year. The hazy skies are a stark reminder of the dirty air that is being breathed in many cities. But there is one US city that boasts the cleanest streets and, along with that, the cleanest air as well.
In order to determine what the cleanest city in the US was, the American Lung Association took into account litter, particle pollution, and progress to becoming completely eco-friendly. Despite the winds bringing smoke from fires and ash particles from volcanoes, there was a clear winner when the title of the cleanest city was bestowed. The city that is cleaner than any other in the US is Honolulu, Hawaii, and it can be visited this summer for cheaper than you might think.
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Honolulu Is The Cleanest City In The US
Honolulu has the cleanest air in the US and the cleanest streets thanks to strict anti-littering laws
Honolulu is the cleanest city in the nation. Thanks to a renewed commitment to the environment, which includes the land, air, and sea, Honolulu has been steadily rising in the ranks over the years from a city rife with pollution and tourist litter to a city to be envied in 2024.
Due to a lack of major manufacturing plants in the city and the trade winds that come through Honolulu, the city boasts cleaner air than any other city in the US — even including the particles that were in the air thanks to the Maui fires and erupting volcanoes. But with the constant wind and the desire to remove carbon emissions from the air, Honolulu has air quality levels that are not only rated as “Good” but are also free from any particulates.
In addition to ensuring that the air quality is nearly pristine, Honolulu has also put into action strict litter laws.
For anyone caught littering, penalties are no longer mild. Instead, if found guilty of littering, litterbugs receive a fine and are required to help with trash pickup for an extended period. This includes those who do not clean up after their dogs, for which the penalty is a $500 fine.
In order to help ensure that the beaches stay clean in Honolulu, the Waikiki Improvement Association holds quarterly events to keep the beaches clear of trash. Two of those days are Earth Day (April) and Let’s Make A Difference Day (October).
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How Honolulu Combats Tourist Pollution
Honolulu is planting trees and purchasing electric buses to combat tourist pollution
With the number of visitors that come to Honolulu to enjoy everything the island has to offer, including activities that can be enjoyed for free, there is not only air pollution that needs to be combated but noise pollution during the day and while going out for the nightlife Honolulu has to offer as well. One of the ways that Honolulu sought to do this was by planting trees around the city.
The goal is to plant 100,000 trees by 2025. Planting this many trees will “minimize energy costs up to 25% by shading buildings and absorb traffic sounds by 40%,” according to the city.
Additionally, tourism has meant plastic pollution in the state of Hawaii. While it is not Honolulu-specific, there are initiatives in place that Hawaii, including Honolulu, have been doing to decrease the amount of plastic on the islands.
From banning plastic shopping bags to encouraging visitors to purchase reusable cutlery for takeout food and bring reusable water bottles, cleanup efforts mean the amount of microplastic on the beaches has been decreasing. There is still more work to be done, but steps are moving in the right direction to decrease the “environmental footprint” on the islands.
With all the visitors to Honolulu, be it for the first time or as regulars to the city, it has meant additional air pollution from rental vehicles over the years. To combat this, the city purchased 17 electric buses.
Not only are the buses quieter than traditional buses, but they are fueling the city with nothing but clean energy, making the bus a great way to get around the city. A grant was provided to Honolulu in 2022 for the purchase of more buses. In total, Honolulu should have 36-38 more electric buses by the end of 2024.
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Honolulu Is Working On Being Fueled Only By Clean Energy
Honolulu has a goal of 100% clean energy by 2045
Honolulu has a goal of achieving 100% clean energy in the city by 2045. While major improvements have been made, there is still more to be done. This is because, in comparison to 74 other cities, Honolulu ranks twenty-ninth when it comes to “advancing clean energy goals.”
To ensure the 2045 timeframe is met, Honolulu has requirements for new homes to be electric vehicle ready. Additionally, residents who are unable to afford energy-efficient light bulbs and low-flow shower heads to save water need only to contact the city to have them replaced for free.
However, residents are continuing to purchase new vehicles that are not necessarily electric to drive around the city. This has been adding to pollution rather than decreasing it. But, the hope is that with the additional electric buses, more residents will take public transportation, which could help reduce air pollution by 5%.
If this comes to fruition, not only will Honolulu make their 2045 goal, but it will continue to be the leader in clean air standards for years to come.
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Publish date : 2024-07-13 08:30:00
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