Earth Day 2015: Where Are, Who Leads Cleanest, Greenest States in U.S.
In observing Earth Day 2015, the American State Litter Scorecard recognizes the top ten cleanest, Green regimes in the U.S., and the Governors shaping that achievement.
Washington D.C., April 17, 2015 (Newswire.com) - In observing the 2015 Earth Day on Wednesday April 22, one may think, “which states are the cleanest and “greenest” for public spaces?” And, “who may be the leaders of governments shaping that achievement?”
You might already be able to guess some of these places and people. But, you may be in for surprises.
"Ten noteworthy American Governors lead at enforcing existing Green guidelines or adopting new, often unique policies protecting nature and the outdoors, and boosting related businesses and jobs."
The American State Litter Scorecard compared data on our 50 states to come up with a ranking of America’s cleanest, Green regimes. Ten noteworthy Governors lead at enforcing existing Green guidelines or adopting new, often unique policies protecting nature and the outdoors, and boosting related businesses and jobs.
Topping the list is Governor Jay Inslee’s Washington, a two –time top Scorecard winner, followed closely by Dan Malloy’s Connecticut and Jerry Brown’s California. Rounding out the top ten is Rick Scott’s Florida, Paul LePage’s Maine, Terry Branstad’s Iowa, Peter Shumlin’s Vermont, Kate Brown’s Oregon, Larry Hogan’s Maryland and Jay Nixon’s Missouri.
The Scorecard’s ranking of states finds seven of the top 10 are on the West and Northeast coasts, with two inside the Midwest; only one in the South.
Ranking cleanliness and “greenness” among governments is an inherently problematic task. Since 2008, the Scorecard has approximated overall public spaces and environmental conditions “through tried-and-true, hard-to obtain measures, resulting in a score total for each and every state,” Steve Spacek, the research’s author, said. States receive their ratings if they follow certain legislative and behavioral indicators, including litter taxation, comprehensive recycling, per person daily waste disposals by state, percentage of “profiled litterers” per state, and relevant gauges that influence or lessen illicit solid waste placement onto properties.
The lowest-performing Scorecard states are Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Nevada and South Carolina, which ranked last. Said Mr. Spacek, "Citizens of these “worst” states are encouraged this Earth Day to reach elected officials, and support correcting widespread, un-clean public surroundings that threaten health and well-being.”
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