Want to Save the Earth? Live in a City.

At first glance, cities may appear to be a big source of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. But new research by the nonprofit Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which compares greenhouse gas emissions of city and suburban households, yields some surprising results.

CNT looked at emissions of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas, stemming from household vehicle travel in 55 metropolitan areas across the U.S. When measured on a per household basis, it found that the transportation-related emissions of people living in cities and compact neighborhoods can be nearly 70 percent less than those living in suburbs and areas where amenities are more dispersed.  See how this compares in your region here.  (Click on "Household Auto Greenhouse Gas Emissions.")

CNT focused on vehicle travel as a source of emissions, since research shows that transportation accounts for 28 percent of all greenhouse gases in the U.S. Its work compares the conventional per-acre analysis of greenhouse gas emissions due to vehicle travel with a new per-household view in each metropolitan area it studied. The results suggest that, due to their density and transportation alternatives, cities are a central part of the climate change solution.  
 
Check out these very telling maps that drive the research home (darker color = higher emissions):

Atlanta CO2 Emissions per Acre:                         Atlanta CO2 Emissions per Household:

Chicago CO2 Emissions per Acre:                       Chicago CO2 Emissions per Household:

  

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