Committee on the Environment

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
------------------------------

​Thank you, Susan. In addition to your request, I would like to also ask that COTE advocate for well-documented and communicated AIA Disaster Assistance programs and activities nationwide. It seems a bit quiet on the subject, and we could learn so much from one another.

------------------------------
Betsey Dougherty FAIA
Dougherty
Costa Mesa 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
------------------------------

Wouldn't it be good to have good science on this before attributing these storms to human-caused climate change? Where is the evidence, Susan? Everyone probably would like to know what has caused this season to be such a difficult one, but let's find out first, before trying to use these events to advocate for change. While it is clear that the ocean levels are rising (mainly as a result of thermal expansion), scientists estimate the rise at about 1/8" per year - likely the storm surges from the recent events were not significantly increased by sea level rise. 

It is certainly a good idea to study the impacts of these storms and their causes, and to better understand both things. This will then provide a fact-based knowledge base to allow action. The question will then be what options we might have for action, what impact those actions are likely to have, and at what cost...

Climate Modeling is notoriously complex, requiring tremendous computing power, and there are a great number of factors that have to be taken into account to understand causality for past events and project future outcomes with any level of accuracy. It is good to push for research and understanding - the question is whether there is yet any fact-based understanding of these events to report. I would doubt that meteorologists or mass media are holding out on us - I'd bet that they would gladly report findings if they had any. It may well be that they are not reporting anything because they either have nothing to report, or if they do, it may not be something that they think the public will be interested in. Science is often that way...

------------------------------
Andrew Cronan AIA
Senior Vice-president
Guernsey Tingle Architects
Williamsburg VA
------------------------------

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
------------------------------

Team:
One of the best sources for architects and planners to fulfill due diligence of  present and future public health, safety and criteria for design of materials and systems iwith  references to extensive science is: NOAA "U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit."  U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit  

Climate		remove preview
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Watch our three-minute video to learn about the purpose and components of the Climate Resilience Toolkit, or scroll down to explore features of the site. View this on Climate >

------------------------------
Don] Watson], FAIA
Donald Watson, FAIA Architect
Trumbull CT
DonaldWatson
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2017 09:34
From: Andrew Cronan
Subject: AIA Advocating for Truthful Media Storm Reporting

Wouldn't it be good to have good science on this before attributing these storms to human-caused climate change? Where is the evidence, Susan? Everyone probably would like to know what has caused this season to be such a difficult one, but let's find out first, before trying to use these events to advocate for change. While it is clear that the ocean levels are rising (mainly as a result of thermal expansion), scientists estimate the rise at about 1/8" per year - likely the storm surges from the recent events were not significantly increased by sea level rise.

It is certainly a good idea to study the impacts of these storms and their causes, and to better understand both things. This will then provide a fact-based knowledge base to allow action. The question will then be what options we might have for action, what impact those actions are likely to have, and at what cost...

Climate Modeling is notoriously complex, requiring tremendous computing power, and there are a great number of factors that have to be taken into account to understand causality for past events and project future outcomes with any level of accuracy. It is good to push for research and understanding - the question is whether there is yet any fact-based understanding of these events to report. I would doubt that meteorologists or mass media are holding out on us - I'd bet that they would gladly report findings if they had any. It may well be that they are not reporting anything because they either have nothing to report, or if they do, it may not be something that they think the public will be interested in. Science is often that way...

------------------------------
Andrew Cronan AIA
Senior Vice-president
Guernsey Tingle Architects
Williamsburg VA

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
------------------------------

Seems like a good tool, Don - thanks for posting the information...

------------------------------
Andrew Cronan AIA
Senior Vice-president
Guernsey Tingle Architects
Williamsburg VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-09-2017 17:45
From: Donald Watson
Subject: AIA Advocating for Truthful Media Storm Reporting

Team:
One of the best sources for architects and planners to fulfill due diligence of  present and future public health, safety and criteria for design of materials and systems iwith  references to extensive science is: NOAA "U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit."  U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit  

Climate		remove preview
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Watch our three-minute video to learn about the purpose and components of the Climate Resilience Toolkit, or scroll down to explore features of the site. View this on Climate >

------------------------------
Don] Watson], FAIA
Donald Watson, FAIA Architect
Trumbull CT
DonaldWatson

Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2017 09:34
From: Andrew Cronan
Subject: AIA Advocating for Truthful Media Storm Reporting

Wouldn't it be good to have good science on this before attributing these storms to human-caused climate change? Where is the evidence, Susan? Everyone probably would like to know what has caused this season to be such a difficult one, but let's find out first, before trying to use these events to advocate for change. While it is clear that the ocean levels are rising (mainly as a result of thermal expansion), scientists estimate the rise at about 1/8" per year - likely the storm surges from the recent events were not significantly increased by sea level rise.

It is certainly a good idea to study the impacts of these storms and their causes, and to better understand both things. This will then provide a fact-based knowledge base to allow action. The question will then be what options we might have for action, what impact those actions are likely to have, and at what cost...

Climate Modeling is notoriously complex, requiring tremendous computing power, and there are a great number of factors that have to be taken into account to understand causality for past events and project future outcomes with any level of accuracy. It is good to push for research and understanding - the question is whether there is yet any fact-based understanding of these events to report. I would doubt that meteorologists or mass media are holding out on us - I'd bet that they would gladly report findings if they had any. It may well be that they are not reporting anything because they either have nothing to report, or if they do, it may not be something that they think the public will be interested in. Science is often that way...

------------------------------
Andrew Cronan AIA
Senior Vice-president
Guernsey Tingle Architects
Williamsburg VA

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
------------------------------

Original Message------

Seems like a good tool, Don - thanks for posting the information...

------------------------------
Andrew Cronan AIA
Senior Vice-president
Guernsey Tingle Architects
Williamsburg VA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Seems like a good tool, Don - thanks for posting the information...

------------------------------
Andrew Cronan AIA
Senior Vice-president
Guernsey Tingle Architects
Williamsburg VA
------------------------------

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
------------------------------