PROJECT SUNROOF reductions — the equivalent of taking 128,000 cars off the road , or avoiding the burning of 1.5 million barrels of oil every year — are the result of the hard work and collaboration of many city departments , private sector partnerships and San Francisco residents . This shows us how far we have come and will be critical in developing plans to continue on our clean and green path .”
Exactly how far has San Francisco come ? A 2010 analysis of the city ’ s carbon footprint equaled 5.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide , a decrease from 6.2 million 20 years prior .
In that same time , the city population has increased by nearly 100,000 residents . Two main changes were enacted . The city closed two natural gas power plants , which were the source of dirty and inefficient power , replacing them with clean power via a hydroelectric system . To reduce transportation emissions , an improved infrastructure for biking , electric vehicles and walking was established . To cut out waste emissions , the city passed a mandatory waste recycling and composting law . San Francisco residents now have a 78 percent recycling and diversion rate .
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