WorldChanging argues that more leadership from architects, landscape architects and planners is needed in a review of progress on Ed Mazria's 2030 Challenge, which calls for all buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030.
"As Ed Mazria and others have noted, the building sector accounts for some 50 percent of global C02 emissions (see earlier post on his plan). Mazria provided a vision for green building development. World Changing argues: "his message became a rallying cry that professional groups, politicians, designers and journalists could stand behind: If we want to fight emissions, we must fundamentally change the building sector, the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide." World Changing argues that the technology and tools already exist for making this vision happen, it's really just a matter of implementing on a wider scale.
World Changing argues for the importance of: new energy policies to encourage the inclusion of renewable energy components in buildings (so buildings can generate their own energy); greater involvement by designers in policy making through letter-writing, running for office, and working with local chapters of major design organizations; new continuing education focused on sustainability to dramatically change current practices among the design professions; and the active involvement of local designers in local zoning boards and government."
Read the full story: Leadership Needed from Architects and Designers
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