Which U.S. city was named the "greenest" in 2025?

San Jose, California was named the "greenest" city in the U.S. in 2025, leading in solar panel installations, renewable energy use, and low urban heat island effect.

How does air pollution affect people's health according to the EPA?

The EPA warns that air pollutants like ozone and particulate matter can contribute to increased occurrence and severity of lung disease, heart disease, and other health conditions, especially for vulnerable groups like children and older adults.

What factors did WalletHub consider to identify the cities with the highest greenhouse gas emissions?

WalletHub looked at each city's metric tonnage of carbon dioxide equivalent and total reported greenhouse gas emissions to determine the cities with the highest emissions per capita.

Home / Environment / Polluted Cities Exposed: Ranking the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Offenders

Polluted Cities Exposed: Ranking the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Offenders

3 Oct

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Summary

EPA warns air pollution linked to lung, heart disease
San Jose tops "greenest cities" list with renewable energy, low emissions
Stark contrast between cities with highest and lowest greenhouse gas emissions

Polluted Cities Exposed: Ranking the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Offenders

According to a report published in October 2025, the U.S. cities with the highest and lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita have been identified. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that air pollutants, including ozone and particulate matter, can significantly increase the risk and severity of lung disease, heart disease, and other health conditions.

The report, compiled by the personal finance website WalletHub, found that children, older adults, and those living in highly polluted areas are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. The five cities with the highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita were identified, while the five cities with the lowest emissions were also highlighted.

Notably, San Jose, California, was named the "greenest" city in the country, ranking fifth in solar panel installations per capita and generating nearly half of its electricity from renewable sources. The city also boasts the nation's fourth-lowest urban heat island effect, helping to keep temperatures moderate. San Jose's sustainability efforts, including a plastic bag ban and bike-sharing program, were also praised in the report.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo emphasized that living in a green city can make it easier for individuals to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles, thanks to sustainable laws, policies, and infrastructure that reduce the need for vehicle use. The greenest cities, he said, also provide better air and water quality, which is beneficial for residents' health.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.