A study of carbon dioxide emissions in Salt Lake City found that new suburban development emits significantly more greenhouse gas than similar population growth within an urbanized area.
The study on long-term urban carbon dioxide observations used a network of sensors maintained by the University of Utah that have been measuring CO2 in the Salt Lake Valley since 2001.
While it is not surprising that new development increases emissions, the finding that urban emissions did not grow suggests a strategy to limit global climate change.
The high level of greenhouse gas emission from suburban developments is mainly due to driving cars and large houses that require more energy to heat and cool.