Background on Carbon Footprint

"Climate change and urbanization are two of the most important
phenomena facing the world today; and they are inextricably linked.


Urbanization likely
presents the best chance for the world’s poorest, however up to now most
GHG emissions (and solid waste) are by-products of the associated increase
in affluence that usually accompanies urbanization. These emissions are
particularly worrisome when they exceed the earth’s assimilative capacity.
In a fast-approaching world with 9 billion people, 70 per cent(3) of whom
are expected to live in urban areas by 2050, cities must be efficient,
well managed and need to protect much better their most vulnerable
populations. They also need to emit far less GHGs.


80 per cent of the world’s anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to cities."

http://eau.sagepub.com/content/23/1/207.full.pdf+html