With more and more evidence piling up that suggests human activity is warming the Earth to a potentially irreversible degree, more and more interest is being generated in 'green' living practices to prevent further warming. This includes everything from offering research and development credits to companies developing pollution cleanup plans to encouraging citizens to use less electricity. Jersey City is no different than many other American cities trying to get its community cleaner and its residents living healthier and more environmentally responsible. Here are some of the measures being undertaken in Jersey City.

The Green Ordinance

In conjunction with Earth Day in April of 2009, Jersey City mayor Jerramiah Healy unveiled his city's new ordinance, which is designed to help Jersey City become a healthier place to live. The ordinance comes in four parts. The first includes plans to purchase hybrid vehicles for city agencies. The second encourages these agencies to buy more environmentally responsible supplies. The third includes the intention to upgrade public buildings and construct new ones to conform to the standards set out by the LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings system. The fourth deals with how to conserve resources and reduce waste, which may include using a less harmful water treatment chemical supplier.

Interest in Clean Energy

The city of Jersey City wishes to be at the forefront of movements that would create a better world for its citizens. To that effect, Jersey City has put less emphasis on manufacturing developments and factories turning out duplex strainers and instead become the host city for the 2008 Clean Energy Conference. This conference is meant to encourage investment in environmentally responsible Jersey City business with the hope of generating $500 million from private companies and investors.

Mass Transit

All large cities have higher ridership of public transportation than their rural counterparts, and more places are encouraging transit usage as a way or reducing gases that turn our atmosphere into a Greenhouse. Suppliers of energy efficient trains and buses are being patronized by Jersey City and in turn Jersey City residents eschew their personal vehicles in favor of mass transit. At a ridership of more than 40% of the population, Jersey City is doing better than any city with a population above 100,000 except New York City. This means that Jersey City residents are doing their part. In fact, many of them don't even own a car. If you move here, make sure you do your part too by leaving your car at home.

How You Can Help

There are more ways to help out the environment than just riding public transit if you live in Jersey City. The city also has bylaws and ordinances in place that require the recycling and safe disposal of goods, from lead radiology aprons to newspapers. In addition to the traditional home recycling trio of containers, paper, and compost, there are also facilities to handle the recycling of scrap metal, machine parts, and electronics. The city also encourages its citizens to conserve water and has water treatment and recycling plants to reclaim wastewater.