Going Green - 2024's Most Sustainable Cities

 

Which American cities are leading the way toward a sustainable future, and which ones are lagging behind? To mark World Environment Day on June 5, LawnStarter ranked 2024’s Most Sustainable Cities. We compared the 500 biggest U.S. cities based on 5 sustainability categories. We looked at the number of certified zero-energy buildings, alternative fuel stations, and greenhouse-gas emissions, among 39 total metrics. See the 10 best (and 10 worst) cities for green living below, followed by key takeaways. (Don’t see your city below? Check out the full ranking.)

Most Sustainable Cities Rank City 1 New York, NY 2 Los Angeles, CA 3 Chicago, IL 4 San Francisco, CA 5 San Diego, CA 6 7 8 9 10 Portland, OR Boston, MA Seattle, WA Sacramento, CA San Jose, CA Least Sustainable Cities Rank City 1 Pharr, TX 2 Beaumont, TX 3 Franklin, TN 4 Edinburg, TX 5 St. Joseph, MO 6 7 8 9 10 O'Fallon, MO Rapid City, SD League City, TX Tyler, TX Clarksville, TN

Key Insights: American cities continue to take steps toward sustainable living. 443 cities claim clean city coalitions, 69 have urban heat island mitigation programs, and 170 are members of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI).  Big cities — New York (No. 1), Los Angeles (No. 2), and Chicago (No. 3) — offer the best infrastructure for green lifestyles, from climate-friendly policies to public transportation and farmers market access. However, they are also among the most polluted.  Southern cities and suburbs — like Murfreesboro, Tennessee (No. 480), Cape Coral, Florida (No. 481), and Beaumont, Texas (No. 499) — scored near the bottom, along Pharr, Texas, in last place. These regions lack sustainable policies, infrastructure, and adequate options for car-free transportation.   Read the full story here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/most-sustainable-cities/  Other helpful links: Methodology Hire a local LawnStarter crew to xeriscape your lawn and landscape.  More from LawnStarter:  50 Ways to Live a Greener, Eco-Friendly Life Counties Going Bald: Tree Cover Loss Over 20 Years Best Cities for Urban Gardening States Where Farms Use the Most Water Best States for Tiny House Living Cities With the Biggest and Smallest Yards Best Hiking Cities in the U.S.