Creating 'greener' buildings will help address climate change... right?

Green buildings can make a difference, but only if we start asking the right questions, argues designer Bryn Davidson in this recent TEDx talk.
If we can start to see the whole story of how our buildings impact the climate then we can start to make strides toward real 'net-positive' change. The technology isn't new, the strategies aren't rocket science—the hard step is shifting our thinking about what it means to build 'green.'
Bryn Davidson wears many hats. Sure, he’s a LEED-accredited building designer, sustainability consultant, and small business owner with degrees in Architecture (UBC) and Mechanical Engineering (UC Berkeley). But he doesn’t stop there. He’s also one of the co-founders of Lanefab Design / Build, a Vancouver-based design and construction company that built the city’s first laneway house in 2010. Since then, Lanefab has continued its specialization in energy efficient green homes and infill ‘laneway houses’ by completing over 40 of the small infill homes.
In this 18 minute talk, Bryn expands on his experience with energy efficient homes and infill, to ask three key questions: How good is your building? Where is it located? What does it replace?
Through these questions, and the "Net Positive Lens," we can start to see the real impact of our buildings and can start to create projects that have a measurably positive impact on the climate. The great thing is, we can do this while also supporting the growth of our communities and economy.
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, TEDx - Renfrew Collingwood, produced independently of the TED Conferences.
FULL STORY: The Coolest Buildings Aren't Green

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service