| By Bob Weaver
Earth Day is April 22.
A new report from WalletHub reveals West Virginia is not doing right by Mother Earth.
Of all 50 states, WalletHub has West Virginia ranked 50th worst in greenest states. Kentucky is not far behind, with a ranking of 48. Ohio is ranked 37th.
West Virginian politicians have held fast for over a century to coal, natural gas and other extractables to drive the state's economy, more often than not putting those industries above the personal interests of WV citizens.
West Virginians have settled for just having a job.
Currently, large natural gas companies are spending millions in lobbying money in West Virginia to fortify their position with the state's royalty holders, with many politicians agreeing with their positions to "help West Virginia."
Their convoluted and complicated efforts to take advantage of WV residents is overwhelming, for those paying attention.
Politically, the corporate efforts to demonize environmental efforts for clean air, water and land, have solidified most West Virginians to believe those efforts are part of an "evil empire" that destroys jobs.
The state has essentially spent over a century of denying diversity which could bring new life to the Mountain State.
In the WalletHub sub-categories, West Virginia's environmental quality rank is 41, its eco-friendly behaviors rank is 50 and its climate change contributions rank is 50.
In air quality, WalletHub ranks West Virginia 24th and soil quality 27th. Water quality is ranked 39th of the 50 states. West Virginia is ranked 26th in percentage of recycled municipal solid waste. The state is 48th in LEED-certified buildings per capita, 32nd in percentage of renewable energy consumption, 41st in energy consumption per capita and 26th in gasoline consumption in gallons per capita.
WalletHub compared all 50 states using 23 key metrics that speak to the current health of the environment and residents' environmental-friendliness, a news release from the organization said.
Vermont is considered the greenest state in the report.
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