Dear Susan and Betsey,
I whole-heartedly agree that advocacy on these issues is important. I would encourage you to write an op-ed in your local paper, your voice is one that needs to be heard by a larger audience! As architects, our voices carry extra weight; we live and breathe these issues every day and are experts on the subject.
Last year COTE went to Capitol Hill to meet with representatives and deliver letters signed by hundreds of firms, making the business case for programs within the DOE and EPA that are necessary to protect the environment and our businesses:
https://network.aia.org/committeeontheenvironment/advocacy
We also posted a webinar on this page, to educate members about advocacy and formed a task force of local architects to meet with representatives during summer recess in August. Christina Mason, previous AIA Director of Federal Advocacy was instrumental in helping us achieve these goals. Unfortunately, she is no longer with the AIA and her position will need to be filled, as it is a much-needed role in our ability to be effective.
Jon Penndorf, FAIA, COTE AG member, recently wrote an article that appeared in the Washington Post of the need for cities to plan for disaster resiliency, also posted on COTE's KnowledgeNet webpage:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/where-we-live/wp/2017/08/29/hurricane-harvey-reinforces-need-for-cities-to-plan-for-disaster-resiliency/?utm_term=.ad5094e02023
and organizations such as Transform Global http://www.transform-global.org/, founded by Betsy Del Monte, FAIA, are actively working on issues of resiliency.
COTE's new Top Ten Measures incorporate issues of resiliency and they can be used as a 'tool kit' for firms: http://info.aia.org/blast_images/kc/Measures_tool.pdf so that hopefully in the future the best advocate can be a great example!
------------------------------
Angie Brooks, FAIA, Chair-Elect COTE AG
Principal
Brooks + Scarpa Architects Inc.
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2017 22:04
From: Susan Rainier
Subject: AIA Advocating for Truthful Media Storm Reporting
After two mega storms hit the US and a third hit US Puerto Rico, all in close succession, there has also been a mega storm of silence as to what causes these type of "never seen before" storms.
It is unconscionable that major media and weather people are not explaining why these mega storms are happening.
It is irresponsible to not call Harvey, Irma and Maria a direct result of changes to the climate. This is a call for Meteorologists to explain to the US public the reasons for these types of storms:
1. Raised sea levels = worse storm surges and flooding in general - this is due to the ice melting in the Arctic.
2. Warmer Oceans = Stronger Winds
3. Warmer Air Temperature = More Humidity in the Air, holding more water causing heavier precipitation (atmospheric rivers).
All three of these known climate change phenomena cause intense storms to worsen and come more frequently.
This is a call for AIA COTE to advocate for calling on Mass Media and Meteorologists to accurately report the reasons for these devastating storms. This seems to be a good way to educate people and get them on board to transform a clean energy economy and bring about real change.
PS The massive amounts of highly toxic chemicals released by these storms into water systems, soil and air is not being talked about either.
------------------------------
Susan Rainier AIA, Living Future Accredited, LEED BD+C
AIA Central Valley COTE Chair, Sacramento, CA
------------------------------