3 Middle TN cities among 25 least sustainable cities in US: study

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- With World Environment Day coming up on June 5, researchers decided to see which American cities are leading the way toward a sustainable future and which ones are lagging behind.

LawnStarter compared the 500 biggest cities in the U.S. based on five sustainability categories: policy, sustainable development, pollution, transportation, and food production. Researchers said they looked at the number of certified zero-energy buildings, alternative fuel stations, and greenhouse gas emissions, among 39 total metrics.

The lawn care blog broke down the key findings from the study, including the fact that American cities have continued to take steps toward sustainable living. For example, 443 cities claim clean city coalitions, 170 are members of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and 69 have urban heat mitigation programs.

LawnStarter said big cities -- like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago -- offer the best infrastructure for green lifestyles, including climate-friendly policies, public transportation, and farmers market access. However, they are also among the most polluted due to high carbon dioxide emissions, excess fuel consumption, and millions of tons of waste in landfills.

Here are America's 10 most sustainable cities for 2024, according to researchers:

Meanwhile, Southern cities and suburbs -- mostly in Texas, but also in Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida -- made up the majority of the 25 localities ranked at the bottom of the sustainability list. LawnStarter said these regions lack sustainable policies, infrastructure, and adequate options for car-free transportation.

Seven of the 500 cities analyzed in the study are located in Tennessee, but only two of them were on the top half of the sustainability list. In addition, three cities from the Volunteer State ranked among the 25 least sustainable cities in the country:

To see the full list ranking the 500 cities included in this study, to learn more about the methodology behind the analysis, or to read advice from experts about how to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle, click here.