More Environment, Energy & Transportation Policy Plays

Nearly one-third of all the carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere in the United States comes from our transportation sector. And two-thirds of those greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in turn, come from cars and trucks. Sprawling residential and commercial development is the chief problem. For many Americans, cars are the most practical, and often the only way, to get to work, stores, or grandmother's house for the holidays.

In recent years, Baltimore, Atlanta, and over 35 other urban and suburban cities have embraced "smart growth" development practices that reduce residents' need to drive. By building housing in closer proximity to jobs, stores, and entertainment, and by expanding transportation options, they have improved the quality of life for their citizens and cut the vehicle emissions that cause smog. Now cities are beginning to recognize that those same policies and practices can be equally useful tools to fight global climate change.

"Portland's long track record of achievement in the fight against global warming is directly related to strong partnerships among our local businesses, citizens and city employees. We are working together on common sense solutions to create a healthy, prosperous, thriving city where everyone wants to live, work and play." -- Mayor Tom Potter, Portland, Ore.

Portland, Ore., is on the cutting edge of this trend. In 1993, as a founding member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, the city pledged to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. Portland is explicitly looking at smart growth as a way to reduce its emissions.

The city has built a light rail public transportation system and worked on regional strategies to give commuters viable alternatives for auto travel. Planners estimate that the rail system eliminated the need to construct eight new proposed parking garages and add additional lanes to major highways. Meanwhile, acting in concert with the state of Oregon's strong land-use policies, Portland has also championed regional efforts to channel new construction away from outlying open spaces and toward existing development, though the ongoing efficacy of such efforts is now in question owing to Measure 37, a ballot approved by voters in 2004, which weakens Oregon's landmark state land-use law.

Although the population of Multnomah County, which includes Portland, increased 15 percent between 1990 and 2004 and vehicle-miles-traveled in the region rose by 38 percent, total GHG emissions in the county are less than 1 percent above 1990 levels. During the same period, per-capita GHG emissions in Multnomah County dropped 12 percent. Planners attribute at least part of the emissions decline to more compact regional development and expanded transportation options. For example, ridership on the light rail system has grown by 75 percent since 1990, and bicycle commuting into downtown Portland has more than quadrupled. In 2001, Portland completed construction of the first modern streetcar line in the United States, and ridership has exceeded projections on the seven-mile downtown loop route. Fuel price increases have lead to increased ridership across many of the 27 light rail systems in the country. Such is the case in Minneapolis where transit ridership rose to 7 percent in 2005.

Metro Region 2040 -- a comprehensive growth-management strategy for 24 cities and urbanized portions of three counties in metropolitan Portland -- is designed to direct new development toward areas where public transportation exists. The strategy funds efforts to promote greater use of carpools, bicycles, and shuttles. Plans are underway for more alternatives to car travel, including streetcars.

While Portland's efforts are working, they remain the exception to the rule. By highlighting such efforts, policy advocates can introduce many more local and elected officials to this promising set of tools in the fight against climate change.

Resources For Action

Metro Regional Center (metropolitan Portland, Ore., regional government)
www.metro-region.org

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
www.iclei.org/us/ccp/

Smart Growth Online (a service of the Smart Growth Leadership Network)
www.smartgrowth.org/

The LUTRAQ Project
www.onethousandfriendsoforegon.org/
resources/lutraq.html

U.S. Department of Transportation's Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting
http://climate.dot.gov/

Center for Clean Air Policy
www.ccap.org/

Additional Reading

Portland's Global Warming Plan and Updates
http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41896

Solving Sprawl, an NRDC publication, F. Kaid Benfield, Jutka Terris and Nancy Vorsanger, 2003

Minneapolis: Boosted by 33% rise on light rail, transit ridership jumps 7% in 2005, 31 March 2006 lightrailnow@lightrailnow.org
www.lightrailnow.org

Contacts

Michael Armstrong
City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development
721 NW 9th Ave., Suite 350
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 823-6053
(503) 823-5311 (fax)
marmstrong@ci.portland.or.us
www.portlandonline.com/osd