The Brief
- Oakland ranked as the greenest city in America, with the country’s best air quality and second-lowest greenhouse gas emissions.
- San Jose ranked second, standing out for its solar installations, renewable energy use, bike-sharing program and environmental policies.
- San Francisco ranked third, with high numbers of community gardens, farmers’ markets and renewable energy sources, as well as low water consumption.
Cities across the U.S. are stepping up sustainability efforts as more Americans prioritize environmental protection and seek cleaner, healthier places to live, according to a new WalletHub study.
WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 28 indicators, including greenhouse gas emissions per capita, water quality and green job opportunities, to determine which communities are leading the nation in “green” living.
About 58% of Americans believe protecting the environment should take priority over economic growth, according to a recent Gallup poll cited by WalletHub. The report said investments in clean energy, recycling programs and urban agriculture can benefit the environment, public health and the economy.…