Lots of people, companies,
cities,
and nations have started to calculate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,
since you can only change what you can measure. These measurements are starting
to highlight some very interesting trends and show how complex the global
results of our lifestyle are.
In a recent paper Lorraine Sugar and I prepared on GHG emissions,
with detailed neighborhood information for the City of Toronto (from University
of Toronto researchers VandeWeghe and Kennedy) we highlighted that what you buy
is important in determining your GHG emissions, but where you live is much more
important. The three neighborhood images, all in the Toronto region, show how
urban form is the most important determinant of your carbon footprint.
The neighborhood of East York has the lowest per capita emissions (1.3 t). It
is an area with high-density apartment complexes that are within walking
distance to a shopping center and public transit.
Etobicoke has medium GHG emissions per capita (6.62 t). It is a neighborhood
of high-density single family homes close to the city center and accessible by
public transit.
The neighborhood of Whitby has the highest per capita emissions (13.02t)—it’s
located in the suburbs of Toronto with large, low-density single family homes
that are distant from commercial activity and public transit.
The affluence of the three neighborhoods is roughly equal, however when where
you live is relatively dense, well served by public transport, and many
destinations are within walking distance, per capita GHG emissions can be much
lower. The three neighborhoods are all within the Metropolitan Toronto area, yet
per capita emissions vary by an order of magnitude.
Emission reductions brought about by banning shopping bags, buying organic
food, or even encouraging more fuel efficient vehicles or higher rates of
renewable energy, although important, will never yield an impact similar to what
can be brought about by living in better designed, better served, and healthier
neighborhoods.
The numbers associated with the Toronto neighborhoods above are only for
residential emissions, and may not include other lifestyle impacts such as
emissions from employment and international travel, which are also important
contributors to GHG emissions. However these numbers do highlight the dramatic
importance that urban form has on our per capita greenhouse gas emissions. This
information is part of a paper submitted to
Environment and
Urbanization.