Green Jersey

Study: Region’s residents live greener

The New York/Northern New Jersey region snagged a top spot in a list of metro areas with low per-capita carbon footprints, part of a report released today by the Brookings Institution. (The designated region included 12 northern New Jersey counties, New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, and Pike County, Pa.)

The area ranked fourth overall out of 100. It was first in both the number of miles people traveled in one year on trains and in the overall amount of greenhouse gas — specifically, carbon dioxide — emitted, per capita, from transportation. It scored lower on residential energy use, coming in at number 18.

On a negative note, the region’s carbon footprint increased five times as fast as the other metro areas’ average five-year rate of increase, according to the Bergen Record.

Click here for more information and the report.