Once again, Seattle proves that it’s a great place to live. According to this new study from WalletHub, Seattle is the 5th greenest city in the entire country. This ranking is no small feat. WalletHub compared over 100 of the largest cities in the country to see who ranks highest on the “green” scale.
WalletHub researched which city was the best at promoting an environmentally friendly lifestyle by looking at 4 key categories and 28 important indicators for green living. Here are the most important “green” categories and indicators.
1) Environment
- Air-Quality Index
- Greenhouse-Gas Emissions per Capita
- Urban Heat Island Effect
- Green Space
- Water Quality
- Daily Water Consumption per Capita
- Share of Green Hotels
- Population Density
- Light Pollution Level
2) Transportation
- Share of Commuters Who Drive Alone
- Average Commute Time by Car
- Walk Score
- Bike Score
- Miles of Bicycle Lanes
- Presence of Bike-Sharing Program
- Annual Excess Fuel Consumption
- Intersection Density
- Accessibility of Jobs by Public Transit
- Alternative-Fuel Stations per Capita
3) Energy Sources
- Share of Electricity from Renewable Sources
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installations per Capita
- Number of Smart-Energy Policies & Initiatives
4) Lifestyle & Policy
- Farmers Markets & CSA Programs per Capita
- Certified Organic Farms per Capita
- Community Garden Plots per Capita
- “Green” Job Opportunities
- Number of Local Programs Promoting Green-Energy Use
- Presence of Plastic Bag Bans
We should all be so proud that our collective efforts have really paid off in ensuring that Seattle is a clean, green, great place to live. We’re engaging in cleaner and more sustainable habits that add up to a better environment for everyone. Protecting the environment should be one of the highest priorities for all Americans, and Seattle is leading the way to a greener future for all of our residents.
Read more here about the Greenest Cities in America.