Thursday, September 20, 2007
By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
We drive too much, and a new report says that unless we start to reduce urban and suburban sprawl the increasing emissions from our expanding vehicle use will negate other technology-based efforts to combat global warming.
The report by the Urban Land Institute, Smart Growth America and other national and state organizations warns that, if sprawling development continues, the total miles driven will increase 59 percent by 2030, and the carbon emissions that increase produces will overwhelm expected gains from vehicle efficiency and low-carbon fuels.
The report released today in Washington, D.C., recommends that metropolitan growth strategies are needed to curb automobile emissions, including an increased focus on “compact development” areas. Such developments are close to the urban core, denser than sprawling suburban development, and provide a mix of uses that give residents an option of walking or biking or shorter drives to business, commercial and recreational destinations.
“The impact of smart growth is profound, not only because of the increased miles driven by so many people but also because most of those people are also spending a lot more time stuck in traffic, moving slowly if at all, while the gas keeps burning,” said Brian Hill, president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
“Being able to spend less time behind the wheel will benefit our health, our pocketbooks and the environment. We urge Gov. Rendell and our state legislators to make smart growth a key strategy to mitigating global warming in Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania residents are driving more than ever before — up 50 percent since 1980 — causing increases in vehicle emissions which account for roughly one-third of all emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that fuels global warming. Only part of that increase is the result of population growth.
First published on September 20, 2007 at 12:20 pm
NEWSLETTER
2 Comments
I’ve always thought that if we started building up instead of out, we could have a pretty utopian society – skyscrapers that reach 200, 300 stories high that contain shopping malls, residences, grocery stores, everything we need. Then, just a mile outside of town you could be in the complete back-country because there wouldn’t be a need for any homes or Walmarts or whatever out there. And dense nature surrounding cities that are built environmentally would help to keep us all in check, clean our air, etc.
Of course, this is some futuristic world that isn’t necessarily ever going to come to fruition. While many of us like living in the city, so many other people want to have yards and open space, so as long as people are allowed to have a preference, compact urban development isn’t going to be very easy.
It’s a reality for many of us though, take Shadyside for example, I have no reason to own a car because there are 3 grocery stores within walking distance, and enough bars, restaurants, corner stores and parks to keep my family and I busy and fed for ever. I’d actually love it if they got rid of a few of these streets to support more of us who just want to walk down the street, or let our kids ride their bikes around.
How about this! All new development near urban areas must include planning for mass transit (like they do in the great cities of Eurpoe). No more federal dollars for building or expanding interstate highways through urban areas because it is totally counter productive. Spend the federal transportation dollars on mass transit.