Oakland is moving up on the ladder of sustainability, which among other things means more people are recycling their trash and taking the bus or walking to work instead of driving.
Of the country's 50 largest cities, Oakland ranked sixth in a sustainability survey that looked at commuting, air and water quality, recycling, and green buildings. Last year, Oakland placed ninth.
The second annual survey, to be released today, was conducted by SustainLane.com, a San Francisco-based online resource for sustainable living.
A sustainable city is a place that has a strong local economy, is walkable, makes use of renewable energy and has farmers markets, among other features, according to the survey.
"Oakland is definitely a leader in this growing area of sustainable management," said survey director Warren Karlenzig.
"Cities shouldn't rely on volatile outside resources but rather need to take the initiative to develop more self-sufficient economies," said James Elsen, chief executive officer of SustainLane.
The findings were based on data gathered in 15 environmental and economic categories along with interviews with city officials and experts.
"I'm very proud of the fact that Oakland is once again ranked among the top 10 sustainable cities in the country," Mayor Jerry Brown said in a statement. "At a time when gasoline prices are hitting our wallets harder than ever, it's imperative that we prepare our cities for an efficient and sustainable future."
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