2021’s Greenest States – WalletHub Study

According to an analysis last year from Yale and Columbia Universities the US lags behind other industrialized nations on environmental performances ranking 24th in the world. The US ranked 15th when it came to climate. It is currently the second-biggest contributor to the climate crisis, after China.

The US also witnessed numerous natural disasters last year alongside the COVID panemic. The billion dollar events weather and climate disasters across the United States shattered the previous annual record of 16 events, which occurred in 2017 and 2011. Adding the 2020 events to the record that began in 1980, the U.S. has sustained 285 weather and climate disasters where the overall damage costs reached or exceeded $1 billion.

By composting, using reusable drink ware recycling and even carpooling can help save the environment for future generations. One small act can help towards saving the environment.

With Earth Day around the corner and the U.S. having experienced a record number of billion-dollar natural disasters in 2020, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s Greenest States.

In order to showcase the states doing right by Mother Earth, they compared the 50 states in terms of 25 key metrics that speak to the current health of the environment and residents’ environmental-friendliness. The data set ranges from green buildings per capita to the share of energy consumption from renewable resources.

Key Stats

• Blue States are greener, with an average rank of 14.76, compared with Red States, which have an average rank of 36.24. (Rank 1=Greenest)
• Oregon has the highest share of energy consumption from renewable sources, 49.08 percent, which is 17.8 times higher than in Delaware, the state with the lowest at 2.76 percent.
• New York has the highest share of people who do not drive to work, 45.70 percent, which is 3.4 times higher than in Alabama, the state with the lowest at 13.30 percent.
• Vermont has the highest number of alternative-fuel stations per 100,000 residents, 48.53, which is 9.1 times higher than in Louisiana, the state with the lowest at 5.36.

WalletHub Q & A

What policies can state and local authorities pursue to make their communities more environmentally friendly?

“Many states and communities have enacted several policies,” said Janie M. Chermak, University of New Mexico. “For example, renewable portfolio standards, improved energy efficiency programs, water conservation, urban tree renewal, or even bike lanes to name a few. I think the key is to focus on the issues for the community or the state and also to focus on taking a holistic approach. For example, it is easy to say, let's have all renewable energy, but quickly is that possible or feasible. Policies, at any level that consider all aspects, will have a better chance of being effective.”

Is there an inherent tradeoff between protecting the environment and promoting economic growth?

“In the past, people thought there were a lot of either-decisions to be made regarding environmental management, but the truth is it is not really a zero-sum game: as technologies change, and people innovate, they come up with smarter ways of producing things that pollute less and are cheaper too, said Sharon Moran, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.” In the past, people did not optimize for sustainability, but now that they are, better ways of doing things or coming to the forefront. People can be creative and strategic, and when the incentives are right, better outcomes get realized.”

Research indicates that the current decade will be crucial for slowing heat-trapping emissions. In your opinion, how will the policies proposed by the Biden administration fare in combating climate change?

“The proposed huge investments in infrastructure are good as long as they do not go toward building more roads,” said Halina Brown, PhD, Clark University. “Also, the proposed big investments in renewable energy and elimination (hopefully soon) of subsidies for oil companies are very promising.”

What is the single most impactful thing an individual can do to reduce their effect on the environment?

“Move to a plant-based diet,” said Jason Scorse, PhD, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. “The industrial animal agriculture industry is an ecological and moral abomination. Switching to a plant-based diet decreases GHG emissions, water pollution, air pollution, deforestation, and waster, and also improves health.”

Has the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 had any impact on the environment and climate?

“It has reduced energy consumption and pollution emissions from fossil fuels but not enough,” said Mark Z. Jacobson, Stanford University.

To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:

https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987