SO WHERE ARE WE NOW?

George Price, a physician at the turn of the last century, famously called the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic a "destroyer and teacher."  So, what about the COVID-19 pandemic?

What the COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us is that planning, preparation and preventive action are crucial, and complacency and indifference are dangerous and foolhardy. We were warned in consecutive Worldwide Threat Assessments by the U.S. Intelligence Community that such a pandemic was likely, that it was just a question of time before

 – 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment 

In the February 2018 Assessment we were advised that pathogens such as the MERS Coronavirus have pandemic potential, and the World Bank estimated that a severe global pandemic could cost more than $3 trillion-and cause more than 100 million deaths worldwide. Yet, we did not prepare ourselves.

Likewise, in these Assessments the threats of climate change were addressed in detail:

 – The Center for Climate and Security

Climate change has been a visible feature of the U.S. intelligence community's concerns since at least 2008. Yet many politicians and special interests, seeking to minimize or slow down the systemic change needed to address this threat, have labeled climate science as "alarmist."

Today we have unprecedented scientific knowledge to predict impending disasters as well as the technology and capacity to effectively address them, yet we've grown complacent about the future impacts of our current actions. We rush to prioritize and mobilize our resources once a crisis strikes, then scale back and return to complacency when it subsides, all at a terrible cost to human life and suffering, and economic and environmental wellbeing.

With the consequences of inaction on the COVID-19 pandemic becoming evident, it is clear that we must now accelerate our actions to tackle the serious challenge of climate change.

Make no mistake: the actions needed to successfully address climate change fall squarely on us – the architecture, planning and building community – as we are responsible for the majority of global CO2 emissions. Countries will not act unless they see a credible way forward, and we provide that way. While we have only days to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, we still have time, albeit limited, to flatten and dramatically bend down the curve of CO2 emissions.

SO HOW DO WE DO IT?

The targets, roadmap and vision for the systemic change needed to address climate change are clear. They were recently discussed at CarbonPositive'20, which took place weeks ago in Los Angeles. At this milestone event, current actions and opportunities were presented, the latest tools, technologies and advanced materials were exhibited, experiences and expertise were shared, and the future was imagined.

CarbonPositive'20 focused on the actions necessary to avert dangerous climate change and limit planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. These actions included (to name a few):

2030 IS THE NEW 2050!

To maintain a high probability of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, humanity must limit its total emissions to a "carbon budget" of about 340 gigatons of CO2 beginning in 2020. The numbers may be abstract, but the implications are firm: we must reduce global CO2 emissions 50% to 65% by 2030, and reach full decarbonization by 2040.

Edward Mazria's keynote presentation explained the new targets, the roadmap, and the embodied carbon strategies in the built environment needed to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius carbon budget. Many of the sessions at CarbonPositive'20, including Ed's keynote, were recorded and will be made available soon at no cost via Hanley Wood University.  Ed's keynote can be downloaded here.

Farhana Yamin educated us about the UNFCCC negotiations and her deeply personal journey from environmental lawyer and lead author of three IPCC assessment reports to climate activist and protester. Farhana's presentation can be downloaded here, and a recording will be available soon on Hanley Wood University.

There's nothing natural about "natural" gas, and it's clear that it is irresponsible to burn it onsite. The widespread electrification of new and existing buildings in tandem with grid decarbonization will remove gas in buildings and create healthier and safer spaces, as well as a steady and predictable market for renewable energy and further advancements in energy storage technologies.

Panama Bartholomy's fact-filled (everything you did not know about gas) and enlightening presentation "It's Electrifying!" will amaze you. His presentation slides can be downloaded here, and the recorded session with Panama and Cole Roberts will be available soon on Hanley Wood University.

Carl Elefante and Julia Siple's presentation "The Key to Zero Carbon" will open your eyes to the beauty and massive carbon reduction potential that exist within your own community. Their presentation slides can be downloaded here, and the recorded presentation will be available soon on Hanley Wood University.

ZERO-CARBON CONCRETE AND STEEL BY 2040

Just two materials – steel and concrete – are responsible for about half of all industrial sector CO2 emissions, and 20% of all global CO2 emissions. With the global building stock projected to double between now and 2060, addressing steel and concrete emissions to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius carbon budget – 40% reduction today; 65% by 2030; and zero carbon by 2040 – is a huge design, planning, and construction opportunity!

Dirk Kestner and Bruce King illustrated how the embodied carbon of concrete mixes can be reduced by 40% today using standard practices, and Margaret Hansbrough set out the technologies and industry initiatives leading the transition to low carbon steel. Their presentation slides can be downloaded here, and the recorded presentation will be available soon on Hanley Wood University.

SUSTAINABLE MASS TIMBER
TODAY!