Eco-friendly Masdar out of place in the Middle East

A Green Future?The WWF and the government of Abu Dhabi have brokered a deal that could make tree huggers' heads spin with glee. The unlikely pair has created the world's most eco-friendly city - carbon neutral, to be exact - in a country that makes most of its money from natural gas.

Huh? Did we miss something?

The planned city of Masdar will be a Switzerland of carbon neutrality with even cars and gas being banned. The car free part sounds possible, but how exactly do 50,000 people exist with absolutely no waste - unless they lived without manufactured goods?

Are there really people who love the world that much? No lipstick, fine. But take away access to shoe-shopping and the self-sustaining environment seems a little gray, no?

The 6-square kilometer city will be inside the larger Abu Dhabi, and opens next year. It'll be powered by an incredible photovoltaic (solar-powered) system and aims to be a resource for academics, entrepreneurs, and family businesses. Can't see it being a tourist hot-spot though.

The flight alone will produce more carbon than a burrito-eating contest at the state fair in Iowa. And then spending a week without worldly goods? Of course! Visitors would come away ready to convince city councils around the world to mimic the eco-haven.

Maybe the new city will inspire the neighboring Dubai clean up its act and make a carbon-negative city.

Honestly, it sounds a little like ordering a diet coke with your double Big Mac with extra cheese, doesn't it? What do you think of the proposed new city?

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