A June 11, 2015, Baltimore Sun article reported that Baltimore City has received a top rankings from nonprofit organization STAR Communities for its efforts in sustainability and disaster readiness.

Baltimore City planner Kristin Baja showing the City’s emergency kit for citizens (Source: Baltimore Sun/Timothy Wheeler)

From the article:

STAR Communities, a Washington-based group, awarded Baltimore its highest, “five-star” rating for making progress on several economic, social and environmental issues, particularly climate change and energy efficiency.

The group’s executive director, Hilari Varnadore, called Baltimore “a national leader” for its efforts to encourage disaster preparedness, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote urban agriculture. …

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake welcomed the group’s recognition at a ceremony Thursday on Federal Hill, calling it “an objective, third-party assessment of conditions in Baltimore today.” But she added that “there is much room to improve” and vowed in a statement to work to “ensure a sustainable future for every resident of this city.”