I think you're mixing up economic growth and population growth. Those are not the same, although they're not completely independent of each other.
All this uses a ton of energy and creates a lot of pollution. Pollution which has drastically increased in the last 20 years or so.
Economic growth leads to per-capita carbon emission growth. The US emmits the second most carbon into the atmosphere, only beat out by the place that makes all the things purchased in the US, in a way, an extension of the consumption of the US.
When economic growth makes consumption cheaper, there is a countering effect of waste, pollution, and over-extension. Dense cities use far less energy and resources than suburbs. Its a fact.
The constant quest for growth, economic or otherwise, has put us in a very precarious position. Summer 2024 is going to be one hellova ride.
Look at how 100 year old suburbs are structured compared to newer ones.
Typically a lot tighter, designed to walk to nearby destinations, mixed use so you can live near a store, not drive 10 miles to a parking lot the size of a small village.
You cannot deny that older, "streetcar" suburbs are very distinct from modern suburb design.
If they were basically the same, I wouldn't be complaining.