Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
The most unusual, beautiful and cleanest places on the planet often and very quickly turn from a rare highlight into a monetary tourist object. And tourists are two-faced guests, as they say: they can add fame to the place, or they can actually destroy it, clogging up the natural beauty. But there are still places on Earth that are capable of surprising not only with natural beauty, but also with incredible purity.
In the world of crystal purity: top 10 most environmentally friendly places on the planet
| Nomination | a place | name | rating |
| top 10 most environmentally friendly places on the planet | 1 | Altai, Russia | 5.0 |
| 2 | Iceland | 4.9 | |
| 3 | San Francisco, USA | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Finland | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Val d'Orcia, Italy | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Copenhagen, Denmark | 4.5 | |
| 7 | Sweden | 4.4 | |
| 8 | Lapland, Finland | 4.3 | |
| 9 | County Kerry, Ireland | 4.2 | |
| 10 | Norway | 4.1 |
Altai, Russia
Rating: 5.0
The Green Pharmacy of Russia, a place free of urbanization, a real riot of luxurious greenery and clean air – Altai is in second place in the rating of the public environmental audit of the All-Russian organization Green Patrol. Mother Nature put a lot of effort into creating a unique natural region, which to this day remains practically untouched.
One of the cleanest and most beautiful places in Altai is the Katunsky Biosphere Reserve. This is a strictly protected area, which was created to study and preserve the unique natural ecosystem. The territory of the reserve includes many lakes, glaciers, and also boasts a rich flora (over 700 plant species) and fauna (over 45 animal species). Since the protected area is located far from prying eyes, the number of tourists visiting it is insignificant.
In general, the Altai Territory can be considered one of the cleanest places in Russia. The active environmental protection activities of local authorities play an important role in this. It is noteworthy that one of the most developed industries in the region is tourism, which, as you know, has two sides, and one of them is pollution of the visited place. Fortunately, in the Altai Territory, special emphasis is placed on ecological travel. Walking, horseback and water routes are also common.
Iceland
Rating: 4.9
Ascetic, mysterious, unexpectedly hot and crystal clear – small island Iceland lives quietly and measuredly, but at the same time attracts guests from all over the world. Many are attracted by the harsh and cold beauty of this country, where it is a day in summer.
Most of all, Iceland is famous, of course, for its wild, unique nature: tundra, 'fire-breathing' volcanoes, lagoons with drifting icebergs, endless lava spaces, harsh rocks that form many deep cracks in the ground, etc. Icelanders themselves joke, saying that when God created our planet, he experimented with Iceland.
Interesting fact. Iceland has a large, if not a huge amount of water in all its natural manifestations. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that all residents of the country, without exception, are excellent swimmers: a swimming test in the local schools is compulsory.
The clearness of Icelandic air is due to the North Atlantic climate and frequent strong winds. In addition, the country prefers mainly renewable energy sources, in particular geothermal energy.
The abundance of rivers (mountainous and glacial) ensures high water quality throughout the country. And you can safely drink it straight from the original source. If desired, you can just as calmly drink tap water.
San Francisco, USA
Rating: 4.8
This American metropolis is considered one of the greenest in the States. Half of its residents prefer two-wheelers without engines, that is, bicycles and use public transport instead of cars. More than 90% of all transport operating in the city runs on electrics: subways, trams, trolleybuses, etc. A hybrid motor system is used in buses running around San Francisco: the engine starts from a gasoline drive, and then an electric generator is turned on.
Plastic bottles and bags are prohibited in the city. In the next 4 years, it is planned to gradually nullify the sale of water in plastic containers (with the exception of the absence of other sources). The penalty for such implementation will be $ 1000.
In the summer of 2019, an incredible environmental project was implemented in San Francisco, which has no analogues in the world: Salesforce Transit Center. It is a transit station, transformed from a conventional transport hub into an urban environment with a rooftop parkland.
It is worth noting the vast knowledge of the city authorities in the field of waste management. So, at the moment, San Francisco removes more than 80% of all waste from landfills, and by 2020 it is planned to 100% utilize it.
Finland
Rating: 4.7
The 'Land of a Thousand Lakes' deservedly gets into our rating, because it is this representative of Northern Europe who can boast of the regular introduction of modern technologies into production: Finland is one of the few who invests enormous funds in the development of renewable energy. The state also takes pride in its commitment to keeping the environment 'healthy'. This is not surprising, because historically, Finland has been firmly tied to the land. It will be good for her, it will be good for the inhabitants.
A simple principle has been working effectively for more than a dozen years. Moreover, this policy is applicable not only to land, but to the entire environment as a whole. The water in most lakes is surprisingly clean: you can safely drink it without preliminary heat treatment and cook food on it.
For example, the capital of Finland, Helsinki, consumes water from the huge lake Päijänne. The resource enters the city through a 120-kilometer tunnel cut through the rocks. Drinking water at the tap is the pride of the Finns and the envy of the inhabitants of most other countries of the European continent.
Val d'Orcia, Italy
Rating: 4.6
Val d'Orcia is one of the most colorful, unique and cleanest in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage Site deservedly falls into our top ten. The Tuscan Valley at one time gained world fame thanks to its unique, mesmerizing landscapes, transferred to the canvases by many artists, starting from the Enlightenment.
Famous vineyards, vast fields of wheat ears, vibrant olive groves – the central Italian valley boasts lush hills, which stretch, it would seem, to infinity. The unique natural and cultural region is also considered one of the largest in the agricultural area of Tuscany.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Rating: 4.5
The city has repeatedly occupied the first line of the ranking of the cleanest cities in the world, which is quite natural, given Copenhagen's unquenchable interest in the development of a green lifestyle. The law 'On the policy of green roofs' was adopted here: the design of the roofs of any buildings must include a certain degree of greening. In the capital of Denmark, for example, small parks are set up everywhere: in one way or another, all residents of the city pass or cycle through the green zone every day.
But perhaps the most ambitious initiative of Copenhagen can be considered its aspiration to become the first city where CO2 emissions will be neutral. The Danish capital plans to reach this indicator by 2025. Today, only a third of the city's residents own a car, the popularity of cycling and cycling has grown significantly (almost every hotel in the city offers its guests bike rental).
A waste processing plant was established 1.5 kilometers from the city center. On the roof of the enterprise, a ski slope with a length of almost half a kilometer with slopes of varying difficulty was equipped. At the same time, the process of waste incineration produces the amount of electricity sufficient for the functioning of more than 200,000 houses and households in the Danish capital.
Sweden
Rating: 4.4
For several years now, the Northern European country has confidently maintained its leadership among the healthiest and cleanest countries in the world. And this is quite natural, because the government of the country is doing everything possible to stimulate among the population the desire to lead a healthy lifestyle.
State policy in Sweden is primarily aimed at maintaining the health of the nation: for example, there is a high level of accessibility of medical care for all members of society. In addition, the Swedish nature itself seems to be calling to take care of yourself: the local climate is conducive to long walks, outdoor activities, etc.
But how did the Swedes manage, nevertheless, to keep the ecological situation favorable in the conditions of world overproduction? It's simple: locals adhere to a simple rule – do not buy unnecessary things. Thus, without creating a demand for non-ecological goods. The industrial enterprises operating here use exclusively innovative technologies, and the state is investing hundreds of millions of kroons in environmental protection projects.
In addition, Sweden is the world leader in recycling: 99% of all waste is recycled here for reuse in one form or another. Not a single country in the world has yet managed to even come close to such an indicator.
Lapland, Finland
Rating: 4.3
According to information published annually by the World Health Organization, this place can be considered the cleanest on the planet. The studied indicator of the level of dust microparticles in the region is record low: there are only 6 micrograms per 1 cubic meter. There is no lower indicator in the world.
Crystal clear fresh air, magnificent panoramic views of snow-covered pine needles and mountains, breathtaking mountain skiing, unforgettable northern lights – all this awaits guests of fabulous Lapland.
By the way, Lapland actually occupies a third of the country, while only 3% of the population lives in the region. And the number of deer living here coincides with the number of people. Venison burgers are very common in local fast foods.
It is here that the only real Santa lives, but polar bears, as many mistakenly believe, are definitely not here. But here you can enjoy the view of the Northern Lights and see the white night with your own eyes: white nights are observed here for 73 days every year.
County Kerry, Ireland
Rating: 4.2
Ireland is one of the most developed, beautiful and cleanest countries in the world, and County Kerry is its greenest region. An abundance of precipitation and a mild oceanic climate play an important role in this. Situated far from smog, city bustle, harmful emissions and the consequences of human activity, the region is a real idyll for those who want to enjoy pristine, pure nature.
Snow-covered mountain peaks, foggy swamps, rugged cliffs, enigmatic moorlands and tranquil sea coves are all of County Kerry. The region is considered the main and one of the most striking tourist attractions in Ireland.
It is in this region that there are many national Icelandic parks with pristine wild forests, which are home to all kinds of foxes, deer, as well as lakes, waterfalls, white beaches and comfortable tourist paths.
Each of the regions of the region can be called truly fabulous. For example, the Dingle Peninsula, territorially belonging to the county, is often referred to in the literature as the last piece of land on the road to the New World.
Norway
Rating: 4.1
The population of Norway is distinguished not only by a long, but also healthy, quality life. To a large extent, this is facilitated by innovative economic solutions, affordable and high-class medicine, as well as smart environmental solutions. Norway is one of the cleanest countries in the world, and despite the fact that the state is considered highly developed from an industrial point of view.
The Norwegian authorities are taking drastic measures to preserve the ecological situation: deforestation is prohibited everywhere. In addition, the government is making every effort (and the local population is actively helping them in this) in order to protect the country's natural resources from the negative impact of global warming. Here, active measures are taken to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere and restore the CO2 balance in the atmosphere. Norway plans to become a carbon neutral country.
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
