Californians Driving toward Global Warming: The Solution? Smarter Land Use.

[jpak]

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/006536.html

In the Bay Area, we drive the equivalent of 300 times to the moon and back each day. It is no wonder that the transportation sector accounts for a staggering 50 percent of all Bay Area greenhouse gas emissions -- which is even higher than California's average of 40 percent.

Fortunately, California is leading the way to improve fuel efficiency and reduce the carbon content of our fuel. The problem is that regulators and legislators often forget the number that drives the equation: 154 million miles of driving in the Bay Area each day.

If we only focus on fuel efficiency and carbon content, as California continues to grow it may add another 10-15 million clean fuel vehicles. And if we continue to use the same suburban design standards for our land use planning, each of these vehicles will demand seven parking spaces (at homes, offices, grocery stores, etc.). So 100 million new parking spaces, or some 300,000 acres, will be paved over in California.

Even worse, we will need to spend our limited transportation dollars on widening our freeways and intersections to accommodate these vehicles, instead of investing in public transit. These vehicles will also threaten children on their way to school, seniors out for a walk, and any of us who walk or bike.

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[paparush]

1. At some point, the Environmental Movement must embrace meaningul Population Control

[unpossibles]

2. and diet

I generally don't bring this up because of the flaming it tends to receive, but our current levels of meat eating is a huge contributor to pollution (from fuel and from the actual animals' waste processes) and fuel, water, and grain consumption problems.

I don't think the world needs to stop eating meat at all, just that if we cut back we would not only be healthier but also reduce pollution as well.

But I agree with you 100% that any change we make now might hide the problems inherent in population growth, and may even "encourage" population growth.

[orwell]

4. Vegetarianism...

...the new Prius. ;)

Another important consideration will be local sourcing of as many food products as possible to reduce transportation costs. The skyrocketing fuel prices should help in this regard.

Another simple rule to live by: eat what is fresh and in season. It generally travels less, costs less, and can be richer in nutrients.

[Dogmudgeon]

7. Vegetarianism...

... the old orthorexia (link to an article originally in Yoga Journal).

And all the rich folks are into it. Look at billionaire trophy wife Kathy Freston, the love guru of Forbes magazine, who coined the phrase.

--p!
"The synergy of the integrated self is what makes us rich and attractive."
"Vegetarian foods have ... garnered celebrity advocates like Bill Maher, Alec Baldwin, Paul McCartney, and of course Leonardo DiCaprio." (All of whom also smoke tobacco (ecologically destructive) and wear leather (cow skin) clothing.)
(K. Freston)

[orwell]

3. Bingo...

Population control is the elephant in the room, because it is an anathema to the capitalist holy grail of endless growth.

[Solo_in_MD]

6. The Chinese have given population control such a sterling reputation that it will be difficult

There are also social, cultural, and religeous factors to be addressed.

A good example of fallout is Japan. Market forces have helped and so far the elderly have not gotten militant. Not sure that would go the same way in the US.

[Javaman]

5. Of course! Smarter land use, I could I have forgotten?

God forbid californians should drive less or conserve.

:banghead:

[depakid]

8. That'll be the day

Developers have had a stranglehold on just about every level of government there for as long as I can remember....