Reading green

“Let knowledge serve the city.” This is the wise maxim proudly boasted across Portland State’s sky bridge—pretty powerful words from a pretty great school. Portland State’s motto really speaks to what the city of Portland is all about—a better community. For years, the city has strived to improve our society and our way of life. That keeps people here despite the astronomical amount of rain, a minor consolation for living in a reigning green city in the U.S. (plus if you’re a native, you embrace the rain).

That’s right: Portland is considered to be the greenest city in the United States, according to the consulting company SustainLane. Lots of public transportation, cycle lanes and alternative energy use are only the tip of the iceberg that is our green city. Knowledge, communication and city innovation played a big part in the deciding factor.

Not only is Portland a top green city, but according to a national study by Jack Miller, president of Central Connecticut State University, Portland is also one of the most literate cities. What this studied shows is that quite a few of the most literate cities also rank high on SustainLane’s green city list.

What is the connection between knowledge and a greener society?

A report on www.bigthink.com recently proposed that knowledge equals a better community and a greener city—citing the similarities between the lists of most literate and greenest cities. Knowledge increases a population’s ability to build safer, healthier and more environmentally conscientious communities. For years, Portland had been implementing and embracing these ideals. From recycling and solar power, to waste management and air quality protection, the city is an inspiration to the rest of the country.

Now, more than ever, it is essential that we invest in education, especially in today’s economy. Education is the only thing that can guarantee a better future, and it doesn’t have to necessarily be a formal college experience. Education in a desired field of study such as medical assistance will benefit just as well.

As President Barack Obama said during the State of the Union, “In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity—it is a prerequisite.”

We live in an amazing city. How many people can claim they could go see an oceanfront and take a hike on a mountain in the same day? Not many. Some would argue that knowledge is just one factor, and that Portland is greener than most cities due to geography. So just how does knowledge lead to cities with a greener lifestyle? How does education lead to becoming environmentally sound?

Look around you. Believing is seeing and experiencing. Experiencing the common care and attitude in the Portland area, it is not difficult to see why we are the greenest city in the country and how often we take time to make it so. It’s in our community’s nature.

Not everyone has grown up with the advantages we’ve had. For as long as I can remember, Portland had been environmentally conscious and every day city planners and citizens think of more ways we can improve for an even greener tomorrow and let knowledge serve our city.