California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is soon expected to sign a law that will funnel vital state and federal subsidies to high-density communities where people live close to offices and stores. The bill, recently passed by the Legislature, is the first in the U.S. that ties greenhouse gas emissions to urban planning. California — the world’s 12th-largest source of greenhouse gases and home to 38 million people — is renowned for its suburban sprawl and car culture, and the bill is aimed at reversing that trend. Under the legislation, 17 major metropolitan planning organizations must set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. The planning organizations will provide housing and transportation funds for high-density communities; by 2012, projects that encourage suburban sprawl are unlikely to receive state or federal funds.
California Law Seeks to Cut Suburban Sprawl and Greenhouse Gases
More From E360
-
INTERVIEW
Pakistan’s Solar Revolution Is Bringing Power to the People
-
Food & Agriculture
In Uganda, Deadly Landslides Force an Agricultural Reckoning
-
Energy
Why U.S. Geothermal May Advance, Despite Political Headwinds
-
Food & Agriculture
In War Zones, a Race to Save Key Seeds Needed to Feed the World
-
Climate
Lightning Strikes the Arctic: What Will It Mean for the Far North?
-
RIVERS
A Win for Farmers and Tribes Brings New Hope to the Klamath
-
Solutions
Deconstructing Buildings: The Quest for New Life for Old Wood
-
NATURAL DEFENSES
How Restored Wetlands Can Protect Europe from Russian Invasion
-
Solutions
Birds vs. Wind Turbines: New Research Aims to Prevent Deaths
-
Biodiversity
Cambodian Forest Defenders at Risk for Exposing Illegal Logging
-
OPINION
The ‘Green’ Aviation Fuel That Would Increase Carbon Emissions
-
Solutions
Out of the Wild: How A.I. Is Transforming Conservation Science