WalletHub: R.I. eighth in nation for eco-friendliness

WALLETHUB SAID THE Ocean State is one of the most eco-friendly states in the nation, ranking eighth. / COURTESY WALLETHUB
WALLETHUB SAID THE Ocean State is one of the most eco-friendly states in the nation, ranking eighth. / COURTESY WALLETHUB

PROVIDENCE – The Ocean State is one of the most eco-friendly states in the nation, according to WalletHub.

The personal finance website examined states using 14 metrics, ranging from air, soil and water quality to gasoline consumption per capita, percentage of population not driving to work and total municipal solid waste per capita.

WalletHub said with “billions of taxpayer dollars being devoted to environmental protection efforts and energy costs eating a significant portion of the average household’s take-home” pay, its report on 2015’s Most & Least Eco-Friendly States showcases “the areas doing right by Mother Earth and calling out those seemingly intent on spoiling things for future generations.”

Rhode Island came in first for lowest energy consumption per capita.

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Among the categories, Rhode Island also ranked best in energy efficiency scorecard and gasoline consumption per capita, placing third in each, and total municipal solid waste per capita, where it ranked fourth, and carbon dioxide emissions per capita, where it came in eighth.

It ranked 17th in air quality; 19th in water quality and 20th in soil quality. Rhode Island’s lowest score was 28th for percentage of population not driving to work.

Vermont was rated the most eco-friendly state. The rest of the top 10 is as follows: Oregon, New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Washington, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Hawaii. Maine ranked 12th and Louisiana was last.

In other environmental news, the Rhode Island Tree Council is holding “Tree Huggapalooza,” an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Largest Tree Hug,” on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Roger Williams Park. This event is free and open to the public.

The Rhode Island Tree Council, in collaboration with the city of Providence and Partnership for Providence Parks, and Davey Resource Group, is looking to attract more than 1,201 people to the park to break the existing record of 1,200 people simultaneously hugging trees set in Korea in March.

“This fun, family-oriented community event will draw attention to the importance of trees, to the environment and quality of life in Rhode Island, as well as bring awareness of the Rhode Island Tree Council’s statewide educational efforts,” a press release about the event states.

There also will be tree climbing demonstrations by TF Morra Tree Care Inc. and the Women’s Tree Climbing Coterie. Tree maintenance demonstrations on pruning, mulching and planting trees will also be part of the event.
All huggers must register to take part in the World Record, and pre-registration is recommended. Registration information can be found at www.ritree.org or providenceparks.org. Registration tables will be open from 1-2:30 p.m. (record breaking will being at 3 p.m.) at the park near the Temple to Music, where the record breaking will take place.

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