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Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus: a model of collaboration in post-Paris reality

By Thomas Jacobs AIA posted 06-20-2017 11:17 AM

  

rsz_tom_jacobs_for_aia_cote_364a8723z_1final.jpgIt is hard to imagine a more anachronistic action than the recent US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Never in history has it been more clear that what sets humanity apart is our ability to collaborate, and never has it been more urgent that we meet the global and complex challenges of our time by connecting and coordinating.


Politically, we no longer collaborate because of the deep, seemingly irreconcilable partisan divide, the breeding ground for science denial. However, in this context, one political development stands out: the Climate Solutions Caucus of the US House of Representatives.


The caucus was founded in February 2016 by South-Florida representatives Carlos Curbelo (R) and Ted Deutch (D), not coincidentally two congressmen from a place that is experiencing a sharp increase in nuisance or “sunny day flooding”. The most innovative aspect of the Caucus isn’t its content, but rather its procedural rules for membership: representatives must find a colleague across the aisle—they can only join in pairs of one Democrat and one Republican. Today, the caucus consists of 42 members, 21 Republicans, and 21 Democrats.


This model—organizing first in a bipartisan way, committing to reason and prudence second, and getting into the specifics of policy last—represents a beacon of hope in Washington, DC and is a powerful guide for urgently needed rethinking within our profession towards an embrace of responsible political engagement.


For too long, we have been confusing being political with being partisan. Partisanship, which puts party over issues, is a cancer we must rid ourselves of. Being political, on the other hand, is tied to our place in the world: I believe we are human beings first, citizens second, and architects third. Engaging responsibly in politics is a citizenship duty required of all of us. We have forgotten that the roots of the word politics are city and community, the very heart of what architects are in the business to design and improve.


To its credit, and in recognition of the dangers of current national environmental policy, AIA National has issued a strong position statement on climate change and a dissenting press release immediately after the Paris withdrawal. It is in the process of expanding its online Advocacy Action Center; in case you don’t know who represents you in DC and in your state, a few clicks will show you names, photos, and contact details. In this way, AIA is playing the role it is best positioned to do, providing organizational brawn, resources, and tools for the people it represents: us architects.


Dear reader, we urgently need you.


According to a recent survey in Architectural Record, 93% of you said action on climate change is urgent, and 74% of you said architects need to do more. AIA National, AIA components, COTE, 2030 Commitment, Architects Advocate, and others, are now coordinating more tightly than before how to empower you to be more effective in standing up and speaking out for healthier and more prosperous communities. In line with the survey, our goal is for three-quarters of the 90,000 AIA members to take action. Imagine if we had had a statement signed by 66,000 architects, stating the reasons to remain committed to Paris.


At Architects Advocate, the nonpartisan grassroots network that is run by a handful of people out of our firm in Chicago, we are focusing our efforts on support for the Climate Solutions Caucus by launching an open letter to all members of the US House of Representatives. Please join the over 670 individuals from 39 states who have signed already, and share with all members of your companies as well. Signing on means we are getting organized—we don’t know of a better way to work on behalf of responsible and prudent progress.


Most importantly, there is always the next election. In our lifetime appointment roles of boss to the elected officials who represent us, we discharge our duty by voting. Let’s hold politicians from all parties accountable for collaboration.


Tom Jacobs is Co-Founder of Architects Advocate, a nonpartisan grassroots network for Action on Climate Change, Principal with Krueck + Sexton Architects in Chicago, and Adjunct Professor at the College of Architecture at IIT.

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