Instead, the list is filled with states whose postcards showcase the greenest hills, pastures, and fields.
10. Illinois
9. Missouri
8. Kentucky
7. Texas
6. Pennsylvania
5. New Jersey
4. Louisiana
3. West Virginia
2. Indiana
1. Ohio (not Bowling so Green)
While that may appear as a list of the most undesirable states to have to drive through, let me assure that there are already plenty of drivers (and their emissions) clouding the airspace within the states’ borders.
Most of the incriminating acts of pollution arise from the power-producing parts of these states. There are refineries, plants, mines, and reserves across the otherwise verdant landscape. However, these pollutant places are helping keep gas prices low(er) as they are doing as much as they can to reduce American dependence on crude oil. Harvesting these regions for natural gas and coal does lower the states’ respective greenness, but it is for unavoidable reasons that we do so.
To end on a brighter note, here are HuffPost’s 10 greenest states (and none of them are too surprising):
10. Colorado
9. Oregon
8. Idaho
7. Montana
6. South Dakota
5. Hawaii
4. Nevada
3. New Hampshire
2. Maine
1. Vermont (appropriately named the Green Mountain State)
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ReplyDeleteI was very surprised by this list. I too thought that being a native Californian, and living in Los Angeles and seeing and breathing in the thick L.A. smog day practically every day that somehow California would be somewhere on that list. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Louisiana, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio are more polluted than the densely populated areas of New York City.
ReplyDeleteThis is very Interesting! I would have totally thought that California, particularly, Los Angeles would have been on the first list. I know there has been a recent movement of going "green" in the cities particularly with the banning plastic bag, electric cars and wind mills, but I had no idea they made such a big difference, enough to not make it on the list.
ReplyDeleteI think this recent study should be an inspiration to the people of California, that just because we are in a rough financial state, doesn't mean that we have to be in a tough environmental state of being as well. As a consumer driven nation we often think nothing of the harmful emissions reaching our ozone layer, but what we're doing is destroying the world that we are responsible to take care of. This poll should lead us to where we are as a state and the direction we should go towards. We should strive to do better to treat this world with the most respect we have. It can be from using natural gas or riding the bus, using reusable bags or even recycling. It doesn't have to be big things, just small acts of intelligence, of respect for the world that God gave us. This poll made me happy because, even though we still live in a smog-filled state, we still didn't make the first list. Therefore there is hope! That each small energy-conscious step at a time is making a difference for a better, greener world.
Yeah, this list is very surprising, at least as far as the worst-polluting states are concerned. The best ones, as you mentioned, all are pretty much exactly what most Americans would guess if pressed to come up with a possible Top 10.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but feel a little positive about this list, simply because it means growing up and living in Los Angeles throughout my life hasn't been as harmful to my health as I've envisioned it being. At the same time, though, that means friends of mine who grew up in states like Ohio and Indiana have also been a little worse off than we'd thought, so that's not a good thing. But, hey, I'll know not to make my next home in any of those worst-polluting states, so thanks for passing this along.
I actually don't find this list surprising. All of the top 10 states are huge oil/coal refining states and are big manufacturing headquarters. Having grown up in Utah, LA really isn't that bad. Salt Lake City in the winter is the worst place in the US for pollution. Just because a city is big doesn't mean that it's a top 10 un-green place. California and New York have large populations with lots of cars but hardly any manufacturing goes on in these places. Plus, the laws in these areas tend to be very strict on pollution and air control. I am surprised that Alaska isn't on the list but the 10 most green states don't surprise me. They are essentially the smallest states and don't have must production value.
ReplyDeleteThe only one that caught me off guard on either list was Nevada. Maybe I'm wrong here, and I suppose it might not be 100% related to how 'green' the state is, but is Vegas one of the biggest energy consumers? The amount of resources that are necessary to power the hotels, casinos, shows, cars/taxis, etc. has got to be absolutely insane.
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