With Earth Day around the corner and the U.S. having experienced $182.7 billion in damage from weather and climate disasters during 2024, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2025’s Greenest States, as well as expert commentary. California ranked in the top 10, coming in at number seven.

In order to showcase the states doing right by Mother Earth, WalletHub compared the 50 states in terms of 28 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.

Greenness of California (1=Greenest, 25=Avg.):

Overall Rank: 7th

26th – Soil Quality

6th – LEED-Certified Buildings per Capita

14th – Percentage of Renewable Energy Consumption

3rd – Energy Consumption per Capita

6th – Gasoline Consumption (in Gallons) per Capita

“It’s important for every American to do their part to support greener living and protect our environment. However, it’s much easier being green in some states than others. For example, if a state doesn’t have a great infrastructure for alternative-fuel vehicles, it becomes much harder for residents to adopt that technology. Living in a green state is also very beneficial for the health of you and your family, as you benefit from better air, soil and water quality,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo. “Vermont is the greenest state in America, in part because it has the most organic-farm acreage per capita. Vermont also has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions per capita and the third-lowest methane emissions per capita. In addition, the Green Mountain State is also paving the way for a future where more people drive clean vehicles, as it has the highest number of alternative fuel stations per capita.”

Vermont was followed by Hawaii, New York, Maryland and Maine in the top five. The bottom five on the green list were Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana and at number 50, West Virginia.

For the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987

Expert Commentary

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

“While only federal policy can be effective at the scale and scope needed to protect the environment against an array of increasing threats, state and local initiatives are more important than ever, and can address a range of issues like local pollution sources, energy efficient buildings, accessible food systems, and waste reduction. Through deep, respectful community engagement, higher education can help provide tools to empower local voices and jointly devise innovative environmental awareness forums to break through communication barriers and misinformation. There’s a much-needed mutual benefit in that relationship, and it’s more timely than ever.”

John Clinton, PhD – Associate Professor; Founding Chair, Environmental Policy, The New School, New York City

“Create strong renewable energy policies such as a 100 percent carbon free electricity as nearly half of all states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and Guam have already done (or similar local policies); strict standards for controlling air pollution emissions and non-point water pollution; soil restoration programs to help revitalize the farming sector; significantly more bike lanes; more green spaces; approve subsidies for electric vehicles; and require that new buildings constructed meet LEED standards for green building design.”

Barry D. Solomon – Professor Emeritus, Michigan Technological University

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

“No. Protecting the environment can be consistent with economic growth. The question is related to what kind of economic growth. Economic growth that involves increasing industrialization that relies on greater emissions of greenhouse gases is incompatible with environmental protection, as is economic growth that involves deforestation for development. Most policies and statements about economic growth bluntly imply simply increased spending and output, but they do not articulate the type or nature of economic growth. We should be asking about economic growth for what? For whom? And to what ends? Historically, economic growth has been incompatible with environmental protection, but it does not have to be this way.”

Robert B. Richardson, PhD – Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University

“Yes and no. Tradeoffs are often very real and very important, and we generally need to be striking a wise balance. There are no free lunches. Where I’d say ‘no,’ however, is in a bigger picture view of economic development and environmental protection: prosperity has been and can be very, very good for the environment. Prosperity gives us the ability and desire to afford a cleaner, greener world. Economic development can bring us vital technologies and capabilities to lessen our footprints and enhance environmental quality. In the big picture, strong and secure economies can play a crucial role in enabling greener development.”

Doug Noonan – Professor, IU Indianapolis

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

“Sticking with the ‘think global, act local’ theme – individuals can shape what happens in their own yards and neighborhoods. Doug Tallamy eloquently describes how planting native trees and practicing conservation measures where we live, work, and play can make a real difference. When combined with state, national, and global awareness, these local actions can drive meaningful collective change.”

Todd Lookingbill – Professor, University of Richmond

“Individuals can take action to minimize single-use plastics, adopt renewable energy options, and utilize non-emitting forms of transportation, but such actions are constrained in many areas. Perhaps the most impactful things an individual can do to reduce their environmental impacts are to vote in support of candidates who are willing to implement policies that reduce waste and emissions, and to advocate for policy changes that reduce the harmful effects of human activities on the environment.”

Robert B. Richardson, PhD – Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University