Hot Spots for Global Warming, U.S. Top Offenders

PlusHot Spots for Global Warming, U.S. Top OffendersHot Spots for Global Warming, U.S. Top OffendersThe Associated PressCities are hot spots for global warming, but individual urban dwellers leave a much smaller carbon footprint than their rural cousins, a new study says. (May 28)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] Los Angeles may have the reputation for being a smog-filled city, but a new study says people who live in the metropolitan area have the second-smallest carbon footprint in the country. A Brookings Institution report says L-A's dense population, relatively low heating and cooling needs, and use of cleaner fuels make the difference.(SOT: MARK MURROW/BROOKINGS INSTITUTION)(11:18:00) OVER 25 YEARS CALIFORNIANS AND CALIFORNIA REGULATORS HAVE BEEN VERY ATTUNED TO THESE ENERGIES AND THESE ISSUES AND HAVE BEEN PURCHASING LOWER CARBON ENERGY FOR A LONG TIME. Only one city does better than L-A--Honolulu. The study looked at how much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere for every person who lives in a region. C-O-2 is considered a key greenhouse gas. On the other end--Lexington, Kentucky tops the list for largest carbon footprint. On average, each resident releases nearly three-and-a-half metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Indianapolis ranks second.(SOT: MARK MURROW)11:30:27 LEXINGTON AND MANY OF THE SOUTHERN AND MIDWESTERN METROS HAVE HAD TRADITIONALLY, VERY CHEAP ELECTRICITY. THEY'VE HAD TRADITIONALLY VERY CHEAP LAND. AND THEY DO REQUIRE HEATING AND COOLING.The study looked at emissions from vehicles and the energy used in homes. It does not take into account commercial or industrial sources. There are regional differences. Cities east of the Mississippi generally do worse than those west of the river. People living in cities south of the Mason-Dixon line generally have a higher carbon footprint that those to the south. The west was the only region that decreased it's carbon emissions over a five-year period. It grew in every other region--with the per person increase highest in Trenton, New Jersey.(SOT: JOSEPH FESTA/TRENTON NJ)(12:06:12) WE'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION. WE'RE SLEEPING IN THIS COUNTRY AND WE'RE JUST DEPLETING OURSELVES.(SOT: MARK MURROW)11:29:15 THE SOUTH IS USUALLY BUILT OUT AT LARGE LOT SIZES WITH TREMENDOUS LINEAR SPRAWL. OFTEN BY MANY MANY DEVELOPERS. THE WESTERN DRY SUNBELT STATES ARE BEING BUILT OUT AT OFTEN VERY SMALL LOTS, MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS BY LARGE DEVELOPERSSprawl makes it harder for people to reach mass transit--and makes people more reliant on cars. (SOT: JANET SMITH/TRENTON NJ)(12:15:12) IF PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE TO COMMUTE SO FAR TO COME TO WORK AND THEY COULD WORK IN LOCAL OFFICES YOU WOULD NOT HAVE THAT DOWN HERE. (SOT: ALEENE HATCH/LEXINGTON, KY)(11:21) TRAFFIC CONTROLS WOULD BE ONE THING. SMALLER CARS, PERHAPS HIGH GAS PRICES WILL TAKE CARE OF IT WHEN PEOPLE STOP DRIVING SO MUCH. (SOT: RENEE JACKSON/LEXINGTON, KY)(13:25) I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US TRY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WALK MORE. I THINK MAYBE. WE COULD REDUCE, IF WE HAD INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO PARK AND RIDE. A DOWNTOWN The Brookings report says solutions shouldn't be limited to driving less.(SOT: MARK MURROW)(11:28:10)PLACES NEED TO LOOK AT WHERE THEY'RE GETTING THEIR ENERGY AND WHETHER IT'S COMING FROM COAL OR CLEANER SOURCES. THEY NEED TO PRICE IT APPROPRIATE THAT IT CAN CHANGE BEHAVIOR.The report concludes metropolitan areas and the federal government need to work together to change policies to reduce carbon emissions.

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