Next meeting: Wednesday, October 24Growing Cooler-The evidence on urban development and climate change
Speaker: David Goldberg, Communications Director, Smart Growth America
In "Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change," a comprehensive review of dozens of studies, published by the Urban Land Institute, the researchers conclude that urban development is both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it. The researchers document how key changes in land development patterns could help reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. They warn that if sprawling development continues to fuel growth in driving, the projected 59 percent increase in the total miles driven between 2005 and 2030 will overwhelm expected gains from vehicle efficiency and low-carbon fuels. Even with projected efficiency improvements, vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide would be 41 percent above today’s levels, rather than well below 1990 levels as required for climate stabilization by 2050, according to Growing Cooler. “The research shows that one of the best ways to reduce vehicle travel is to build places where people can accomplish more with less driving,” says lead author Reid Ewing.
The report is available at http://smartgrowthamerica.org/gcindex.html
The meeting is at noon on Wednesday, October 24, at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons, second floor. Bring your lunch. For more information call 713-523-5757. The Gulf Coast Institute and the Houston-Galveston Area Council host Livable Houston/Smart Growth bring-your-own-lunch meetings that are open to the public on the fourth Wednesday of every month. http://www.gulfcoastinstitute.org
Please RSVP to crossley@gulfcoastideas.org
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