Clean Energy Springfield

Up to now, the fight to slow global climate change has focused primarily on such things as increasing fuel economy for cars and trucks, boosting renewable energy technologies like wind and solar, making our buildings greener and cleaning up power plants. A major national report issued last week by the Urban Land Institute, Smart Growth America and other organizations indicates that if there is any hope of reducing heat-trapping carbon dioxide gases, we will also have to curb sprawling development patterns that fuel growth in driving.

Since 1980, the number of vehicles miles traveled in the United States has increased at three times the rate of the population, according to the report, primarily because of the vehicle-dependent way communities and commercial areas are designed and built. The report projects that even with expected increases in miles per gallon produced by more efficient engines, vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide in 2030 will be 41 percent higher than they are today.

The report, “Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change,” recommends adoption of growth and transportation strategies that reduce our miles behind the wheel. This includes compact development, which mixes housing and businesses in denser patterns, with walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods. The report estimates that a compact development strategy would reduce vehicle miles traveled by 12 percent to 18 percent by 2050, and reduce carbon emissions from mobile sources 7 percent to 10 percent.