CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Consumer Affairs recently shared a ranked list on the most eco-friendly states of 2024, and North Carolina climbed a few spots since last year.
Researchers came up with these numbers by pulling data on things like what’s in our landfills, air quality and even the ratio of trees to people in a state.
The Carolinas fall just outside the top 10.
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North Carolina comes in at No. 14, which is a decent jump from its position of No. 21 last year.
South Carolina was next in line at No. 15.
As for what to do with these numbers, the report references what’s called green mortgages. It’s a lot like any other type of home loan -- it's just geared toward homeowners who are interested in energy efficiency, and it can save you money.
The loan allows homeowners to recoup certain expenses by paying lower energy costs.
Meanwhile, going green is a movement growing across the country. More people and businesses are considering recyclables and renewable energy.
Whether its solar panels, a green mortgage, or simple energy saving tips at home, researchers said the future pushes for being eco-friendly will depend on lawmakers and corporations.
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