Over the past several months at Doo Consulting, we’ve been working on two zero-net-energy (ZNE) schools in the City of Baltimore and have been asked to submit proposals for two more ZNE projects. We have already completed two small zero-net-energy projects and have facilitated design workshops on two others. With the recent new requests, I’m sensing the beginning of a very positive trend of ultra-high performance and net zero buildings becoming increasingly attainable.

During the same period of time, the news has presented the impacts of hurricane Florence in the Carolinas, super typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines, and the summer wildfires raging throughout the West. As I write this blog, hurricane Michael is bearing down on the Gulf Coast. Earlier this week, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a stern warning on the consequences of allowing global warming to exceed 1.5° Celsius. According to this recently published report, temperatures have already risen 1° C. Specific measures need to be taken by 2030, 12 years from now, to provide the best chance to avoid exceeding the 1.5° target.

How are these things related? Scientists maintain that the extreme weather we are experiencing is the result of human-caused climate change. A recent New York Times Magazine (issued August 5, 2018) recounts the efforts of scientists and politicians to raise the alarm about the dangers of climate change beginning in the early 1970’s. As it turns out, much of what scientists predicted forty years ago is coming true just as they said it would. Consequently, I take the warnings of the IPCC seriously. If we don’t act to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°, the world that we leave our children and grandchildren will be considerably less hospitable than the present.

Admittedly, it’s difficult to wrap one’s head around, “what can I do about it?” Even if one subscribes fully to human caused climate impacts. It’s been forty years since warnings were first presented to the public and to governments around the world. In aggregate, impacts have been significant from the events previously mentioned to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, regional droughts and other subtle changes like the small temperature rise that is wreaking all of this havoc. In the US alone, the cumulative value of climate and weather related disasters since 1980 exceeds $1.5 trillion. But, to most of us, we can still get the food we need, even though farmers may experience floods or droughts. We are still comfortable in our homes even though our region may be experiencing extreme heat. We can change our vacation plans if a prediction threatens the comfort or safety of our trip. Though we may recognize that others are experiencing climate related stress, ours is limited or non-existent.

For these reasons, I’m glad that policy makers are telling us what we should do. I’m grateful for mileage standards for vehicles and emission standards for pollutants. While we may argue about the effectiveness of individual regulations, I am generally in favor science-based and purposeful regulation. Thirty years ago, governments agreed to phase-out ozone depleting substances. The ozone layer prevents harmful ultra-violet rays from reaching the surface of the planet. By 2032, the ozone layer is predicted to be restored to its 1980 levels. Success!

I’m glad that many in the professions with whom my company is involved take climate science seriously as well; architects, developers, engineers, manufacturers, government and others. How we plan our communities and design and build our buildings can contribute significantly toward mitigating climate change. The International Code Council (ICC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and others have been developing regulatory standards targeting zero net energy building requirements by 2030.The chart above shows how far energy codes have come since 1975, the period of the first oil embargo and America’s first energy crisis. During the 70’s, North American architects and builders began to explore concepts of passive design. Lessons learned were used to develop Passive House standards in Europe and have now migrated back to the US. For a while, from the mid 80’s until 2006, building codes were not demanding very much from building professionals. But, things have changed and with not a moment to spare, according to the IPCC. In 2030, the building code will require net zero energy buildings by regulation. How broadly this code will be adopted and how it will be applied across project types will be interesting to watch. My earlier mention of the zero net energy building projects is to present a hopeful trend that we hope others in the building community are sharing. We are ready for the challenge and look forward to doing our part.

A bold new initiative is aiming to recruit 1,000 cities around the world to cease fossil fuel use and utilize 100% renewable energy by 2040. The 1,000 Cities in 2040 project wants to encourage cities to exceed the benchmarks set by the Paris Agreement by harnessing the power of citizens petitioning elected officials.

The 1,000 Cities in 2040 Project

This inspiring effort encourages citizens to sign an online petition to city leaders to stop the use of fossil fuels and commit to using renewable energy sources. Pathway to Paris, the overarching non-profit, connects artists, musicians, activists, academics, innovators, scientists and mayors around the central goal of combating climate change through unified action. Through the central program, there are resources to evaluate city plans, learn more about Green Building, understand environmental benchmarks and keep a list of cities who are working towards meeting the goals of the 1,000 Cities in 2040 mission. On an annual basis, there will be recognition of the cities working toward the target at a special concert.

What Cities Are Participating?

The list of cities participating in the 1,000 Cities by 2040 project is growing every year. Some of the highest-profile locales involved include:

• Seattle
• London
• Halifax
• Calgary
• San Francisco
• Vancouver
• Edmonton

Aggressive Changes Already in Progress

Beyond the 1,000 Cities in 2040 project, there are many other cities taking aggressive steps to limit fossil fuel use. 12 major cities, including London, have pledged to remove fossil fuels from the streets by 2030. A whopping 33% of greenhouse gas emissions from C40 cities come as a result of traffic and transportation, and the cars and buses lining the roads are the main culprits. Starting in 2025, participating cities will only purchase zero-emissions buses. In 2030, cities will have a significant portion of the city designated as a zero emissions area. London is leading the way with new public transportation options, radical measures to clean up the existing bus fleet and creating new bicycle lanes throughout the city.

Green Building initiatives are also taking aim at the impacts that traditional commercial buildings have on the environment. Buildings account for a whopping 39% of all primary energy consumption and 72% of all domestically-consumed energy in the United States. Electricity is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and by following efficiency standards and established Green Building techniques, the cities of tomorrow will be more sustainable from the ground up.

A Greener Future with Doo Consulting

Doo Consulting offers a comprehensive range of green building design services as part of our commitment to advancing sustainable Green Building practices across industries. We look forward to working with cities throughout the area to achieve a sustainable future through Green Building practices. If you are interested in learning more about sustainability and building practices, please contact us using the form below or by calling (443) 653-3792.

New Jersey is the newest state to join the exclusive 50×30 club. Earlier this summer, Governor Murphy signed a landmark clean energy bill into law cementing its status as a state at the forefront of environmental innovation. In addition to the bill, another executive order was signed to develop a new Energy Master Plan (EMP) for the State of New Jersey to achieve 100% clean, renewable energy by the year 2050.

The 50×30 Club

The 50×30 club is composed of states pledging to source 50% of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2030. Currently, the states in the club are New York, Hawaii, California and Vermont. Two additional states, Iowa and Colorado, could reach the goal anyway as a result of utility company actions in their states. However, New Jersey is the most ambitious state of the bunch thanks to the new bill. As a result of environmentally-friendly legal provisions, many of the states in the 50×30 club have experienced tremendous economic growth and developed some of the largest clean energy job workforces per capita in the country.

New Jersey’s Renewable Energy Bill

The energy bill, A-3723, includes a wide range of steps designed to create new renewable energy programs and expand ones already in existence. Some of the notable programs include:

• Renewable Energy Standard: This aggressive standard requires that 21% of the energy in the state be purchased from Class I renewable sources by 2020, 35% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. This standard also provides a cap for costs to prevent residents and business owners from being financially impacted.
• Solar Energy: New Jersey will be expanding the solar program so that it is more sustainable. The state will also be adding a community program so that all residents can benefit from the positive effects of solar energy.
• Offshore Wind Energy: The current goal of reaching 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030 is cemented in this bill, along with a previously-expired program offering tax credits for offshore wind manufacturing.
• Efficiency: Every utility must implement measures to reduce total electricity usage by 2% and natural gas usage by 0.75%.
• Energy Storage: The bill also cements New Jersey’s goal of reaching 600MW of energy storage by 2021 and 2,000MW by 2030.

The Economic Benefits Anticipated in New Jersey

New Jersey’s new bill falls in line with record-low solar energy and wind power costs. Two of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States are solar installers and wind turbine technicians, creating a new workforce ready for the 50×30 club. The aggressive wind power goal will also generate billions in new investments and create over 36,000 full-time jobs in the greater region.

The Latest 50×30 Club News from Doo Consulting

Doo Consulting offers a comprehensive range of green building design services as part of our commitment to advancing sustainable Green Building practices across industries. If you are interested in learning more about sustainability and building practices, please contact us using the form below or by calling (443) 653-3792.