**7.1 Individuals**

Individuals generally have the greatest concern for saving fossil fuel, as they may be concerned about what happens in their own lifetime, the lifetime of their children, or their children's children. There is general consensus, that consumers of today should have reduced consumption so that there is more fossil fuel left in the coming decades, and for future generations. The interest of individuals to conserve energy cannot be left entirely to companies or even governments for implementation. Efforts to save energy must include participation by conscious citizens, and academia.

Modern Transitions in Saving Energy and the Environment 205

These SUVs and large cars alongside more efficient cars today, are examples that there is great scope of improving energy conservation by implementing policies to discourage this

Another area with great scope for improvement of fuel consumption is what is popularly known as Urban Sprawl. Urban sprawl is the outwards spreading and development of a city and its suburbs (Wikipedia, 2011). It is characterized by low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land. It also has high segregation of uses (e.g. stores and residential), and various design features that encourage car dependency. Residents of sprawling

Urban sprawl is controversial, with supporters claiming that consumers prefer lower density neighbourhoods, with a suburban lifestyle with two or more cars. An opposing viewpoint is that urban sprawl forces residents to drive to conduct daily activities. Whatever the preferences of residents, it is clear that urban sprawl, and its car-dependent culture are

Employment sprawl is closely associated with urban sprawl and car-dependent communities. This is where jobs are located in areas of urban sprawl. This leaves employees little choice but to participate in the urban sprawl, by relocating to close to their suburban offices. Employment sprawl is prevalent both in cities with and without mass transit such as subways. Companies have set up employment centers well outside the subway system of Toronto, Canada. Employment sprawl causes the interesting phenomena, where residents living near city centers, must reverse-commute outside the city by cars. The mismatch of

Accompanying urban sprawl is the use of large housing that usually exceeds the physical needs of residents. Large housing costs more in heating and cooling costs. According to StatsCan, housing costs a further 30 per cent of disposable income of Canadians (Times

Compared to North America, urban and employment sprawls are less prevalent in Europe and Asia. The International Association of Public Transport policy indicates that in European and Asian counties 5-8 % of GDP is spent on transportation, compared to 13 % in

The causes of urban sprawl are acknowledged to be mainly zoning laws. Sprawl generates much revenue for real estate, automobile and oil companies. A small number of policymakers have spoken out about urban sprawl, but at this time, they are a minority (NZ

Simply reducing urban sprawl by allowing employment and residences to be located close to city centers would greatly reduce fuel consumption by reducing dependence on cars, and

"size race" by consumers in their pursuit of safety in collisions.

neighbourhoods tend to consume more fossil fuel per person.

residences with employment areas is known as spatial mismatch.

**9. Urban sprawl** 

very much unsustainable.

**9.1 Employment sprawl** 

**9.2 Housing** 

Colonist, Dec. 18, 2011)

Herald, Dec. 17, 2011).

North America.
