UNITED STATES

According to a new ranking by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, many of the nation’s cities are instituting a variety of energy-saving measures, and Boston tops the list. (National Geographic News)

Be the mayor of your own city in our “Plan it Green” game, and see if you can match Boston for energy efficiency.

Discussion Ideas

• The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranked 34 American cities for energy-efficiency based on five broad “Policy Categories.” Visit this page, consider each of the categories, and give an example of how a city leader may improve the city’s standing in that category.
  • local government: Provide economic incentives (such as tax-free subsidies) to city workers to conserve energy in the workplace by walking, biking, or using public transportation.
  • community: Encourage residents to use energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs or fluorescent bulbs.
  • buildings: Establish regulations that require new buildings to incorporate energy-efficient construction, such as green roofs.
  • utilities: Work with energy companies to develop long-term plans for a variety of energy solutions, such as incorporating more wind, solar, or other renewable sources to the grid.
  • transportation: Create safe and efficient public transportation systems.

• On the same page, browse the map and see which cities ranked highest and lowest in each policy category. You can track either by city or by policy. (For instance, Portland ranked highest in transportation, while Seattle ranked highest in buildings.)
  • Choose a city. If you were part of a task force to improve your city’s standing in one or more policy categories, what are some initiatives you would use? Keep your city’s physical and cultural geography in mind.
    • physical geography: Alternative energy sources may be limited or unreasonable in some areas. In cities such as Denver, for instance, access to potential tidal energy would not be terribly efficient.
    • cultural geography: Retrofitting buildings to bring them up to the most energy-efficient standards can be expensive. The city of Detroit, for example, filed for bankruptcy this summer. Designing a new energy-efficient government strategy is not its major priority at this point.

• Read our educator guide for our “Plan It Green” game. “Plan It Green” is a free online, city-building simulation game that gives students of all ages the opportunity to make complex decisions about the role of green energy, energy conservation, and energy efficiency. All policy categories evaluated by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy are incorporated, and players must adapt to the intended and unintended municipal consequences of their decisions. Be sure to check out the discussion questions on page seven of the educator guide to enhance the learning opportunities of the game.
  • Take the brief tutorial, register (for free) and Plan It Green!
  • Be sure to visit City Hall for video tips in the library, a “scorecard” of your own from the mayor’s office, and a collection of five games in the arcade.