Supposedly clean city gets a dirty review

Study: Minneapolis is one of the most polluting cities

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Minnesota is known as ‘The Land of 10,000 Lakes’ and we have an overabundance of green spaces and bike paths too, but a new study finds that Minneapolis is one of the most polluting cities in the world.

The International Institute for Environment and Development looked at more than 100 cities in 33 countries.

It found most have low emissions of carbon dioxide, but amongst the highest [per capita] emitters were Denver, Sydney, Washington DC and Minneapolis.

The group says in Minneapolis, 17 tons of carbon dioxide is emitted per person each year. That’s more than double places like New York City.

So why is a city that considers itself so earth-friendly one of the big carbon dioxide polluters?

The study says that one reason is there’s not as many people here and public transportation isn’t as popular.