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Why Everyone in Berkeley Owns a Prius

Development of green political clusters starts at the beach

By Paul Stinson,  Newser User

Posted Jun 19, 2008 8:55 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Nowhere in California is the power of green consumerism more apparent than the Prius-packed city of Berkley. The Economist takes a look at a "greenery by zip code" study that, somewhat unsurprisingly, places Palo Alto near the top and Bakersfield near the bottom of locales packed with certified green buildings and hybrids. But why?

An attraction to beaches and public transit may plant the initial seeds for a green hotspot, says one of the study's authors, whose domino effect "attracts 'green businesses' such as tofu restaurants and bike shops, and this in turn attracts more greens." The last step? Become a large enough political force to influence local policy. Still, the Prius population might result from a questionably environmentally-friendly keeping-up-with-the-Joneses attitude.

BERKELEY, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Students walk near Sather Gate on the University of California at Berkeley campus.
BERKELEY, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Students walk near Sather Gate on the University of California at Berkeley campus.   (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO: A worker at the City Lights Light Bulb Store holds a traditional incandescent light bulb (R) and an energy efficient compact flourescent bulb (L) in San Francisco, California.
SAN FRANCISCO: A worker at the City Lights Light Bulb Store holds a traditional incandescent light bulb (R) and an energy efficient compact flourescent bulb (L) in San Francisco, California.   (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
LINCOLNWOOD, IL: Fuel economy information is seen posted in the window a new Toyota Prius at Grossinger Toyota in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The hard-to-find Toyota Prius made the U.S. government's list of most fuel efficient vehicles.
LINCOLNWOOD, IL: Fuel economy information is seen posted in the window a new Toyota Prius at Grossinger Toyota in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The hard-to-find Toyota Prius made the U.S. government's list of...   (Tim Boyle/Getty images)
SACRAMENTO, CA: A power cord hangs from the bumper of a Toyota Prius during a ceremony where California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed executive order S-01-07 at the California State Capitol January 18, 2007 in Sacramento, California. Gov. Schwarzenegger signed an executive order establishing the world's first low carbon standard for...
SACRAMENTO, CA: A power cord hangs from the bumper of a Toyota Prius during a ceremony where California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed executive order S-01-07 at the California State Capitol January...   (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
DALY CITY, CA: Brand new Toyota Prius hybrid cars are displayed at City Toyota in Daly City, California. Toyota surpassed General Motors in global sales for the first three months of 2008. Toyota reported the sales of 2.41 million vehicles compared to GM's 2.25 million.
DALY CITY, CA: Brand new Toyota Prius hybrid cars are displayed at City Toyota in Daly City, California. Toyota surpassed General Motors in global sales for the first three months of 2008. Toyota reported...   (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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