U.S. population set to hit 300M on Tues.

America's population is on track to hit 300 million on Tuesday morning, and it's causing a stir among environmentalists.

People
in the United States are consuming more than ever — more food, more
energy, more natural resources. Open spaces are shrinking and traffic
in many areas is dreadful.

But some experts argue that
population growth only partly explains America's growing consumption.
Just as important, they say, is where people live, what they drive and
how far they travel to work.

"The pattern of population growth
is really the most crucial thing," said Michael Replogle,
transportation director for Environmental Defense, a New York-based
advocacy group.

"If the population grows in thriving existing
communities, restoring the historic density of older communities, we
can easily sustain that growth and create a more efficient economy
without sacrificing the environment," Replogle said.