The Greenest Desert in the World

Whether for business or pleasure, people come from all across the world to visit Tucson's blossoming green landscape. Found in the Sonoran Desert - dubbed "the greenest of deserts" - Tucson offers travelers clear skies, fresh air, stunning sunsets and rugged outdoor adventures.

The Old Pueblo's eco-friendly stage is already set with clean air and ample sunshine, a variety of farmers' markets offering local foods, hundreds of miles of bike paths, and smart water usage like xeriscaping. But there's more to this Southern Arizona city than meets the typical traveler's eye.

Green Tucson Fast Facts:

1. In 2007, Tucson was named one of 13 Solar Cities in the United States, and awarded a half-million-dollar grant to better implement solar energy. The three-phase plan includes installation of solar panels and water heaters at large city facilities, readying more facilities for future solar installations, and initiating a solar education program in the community. The program also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25 percent below 2005 levels, by 2030.

2. In May 2008, Washington DC thinktank The Brookings Institution ranked Tucson the 17th-lowest carbon emitter among the 100 largest metro cities in the country. The study analyzed each city's per-person production of carbon dioxide from household energy use and vehicle traffic.

3. A May 2008 American Lung Association survey listed Tucson as No. 6 in the country for clean air. The survey examined each city's production of particle pollution - ash, soot, diesel exhaust, chemicals, metals and aerosols.

4. The American Lung Association's 2010 State of the Air report ranks Tucson as 6th in the Top 25  for cleanest year-round particle pollution.

A recent partnership survey found that 85 percent of Americans consider themselves environmentally conscious, and four in 10 would consider switching their patronage to travel suppliers that demonstrate environmental responsibility.

To accommodate these eco-conscious travelers, Tucson's hospitality industry has stepped up to the plate and gone well beyond simple recycling.

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