As much of the US boils under an oppressive heat wave, discussions about climate change have yet again moved to the forefront. But despite rising concerns about climate impact, Americans appear to be increasingly opting for suburban "fringe" counties, where the average household carbon footprint is 18 percent higher than in more central regions.

"Housing is inextricably linked to the climate, and the way that we organize our cities has a profound impact on our carbon footprints. In densely populated urban areas – in which individuals occupy less space and are less reliant on cars – per-capita emissions are significantly lower than they are in the surrounding suburbs, where cars are typically the dominant commute mode and residents often bear long drives in traffic to access jobs in the city," researchers from Apartment List note in a new analysis. "Given this dynamic, it is crucial that we grow our nation's population centers in ways that prioritize dense, transit-oriented development. Unfortunately, the pandemic appears to be pushing us in the opposite direction."

They point to the rise of remote work, which has made proximity to the office less of a priority, and rising rents and home prices across the board as primary drivers of this trend.