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After hearing Ed
Mazria's remarks at the AIA NYS convention in
Syracuse, I imagined a future news story with this
title. I immediately telephoned my wife to advise
her that although she had not married Albert
Einstein, Jonas Salk or Superman her husband can
possibly save the world. She promptly reminded me,
that upon my return I should first take out the
trash before explaining to her the details of my
plan. The AIA Central NY Chapter as well as the AIA
NYS office should be commended on the quality of the
programs, general sessions, tours and design awards
presentation. For architects of any timbre, so
much was available to inform, illuminate and
inspire.
Ed Mazria's presentation warned of the collision
course our planet is on due to its reliance of
fossil fuels with the resulting production of
carbon dioxide. Scenarios projected a 2 degree
Celsius increase in average global temperature by
the year 2050, with a 3-degree increase by 2075.
Environmental effects would be devastating. Rising
sea levels, melting of our Greenland ice shelf,
disappearing coral reef, and a significant loss of
species would result. However, Ed's doom and gloom
story can have a happy ending. We were told that
almost 50% of the world's CO2 production comes from
buildings, the rest is split almost evenly between
industry & transportation. By the year 2035 it is
surmised that over 75% of our building stock will be
new or substantially renovated. We have a chance to
rethink the way we design and build the primary
culprits of our global demise. Ed says it is
possible to create buildings that are carbon neutral
- absolutely no carbon dioxide production. He
presented two conservatories he recently designed,
both with no HVAC systems. Architects were awed by
the ability to create an all glass building with no
provision for heating or cooling. HVAC Systems were
designed for the first conservatory only because the
client, like most of us, did not believe this was
possible. After one year of successful performance
the client was convinced.
The science can be disputed. The Kyoto Accord, with
its 10 and 20 percent reductions fall short of what
is necessary, especially with the exemption for
pre-industrial nations to pollute at will. The
industrialized nations, including the US does need
to reduce CO2 emissions more drastically than
presently discussed. We also need to educate, and
assist the pre-industrial nationals so that they not
make the same mistakes we made. Even if the science
is off, there is no disputing the limitations of our
fossil fuel supply.
Saturday's closing luncheon was titled the Role of
Architects Building Sustainable Cities. It
highlighted the success of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Recently acknowledged for its transformation to a
"greener", more sustainable and livable city,
Honolulu was on a path to self-destruction. Mayor
Jeremy Harris, AIA told the ironic tale of how an
island of pristine natural beauty was destroying the
very element that made it so popular. Designing for
people rather than vehicles and allowing higher
density, and spot zoning in some places so that
other areas can remain undeveloped are some of the
secrets of Honolulu's success. All in all the
conference helped me feel good again about being an
architect. Even if I can't convince my wife of the
potential of my profession, I am happy that my new
hybrid SUV emits half the CO2 as my old vehicle and
the improved gas mileage doesn't hurt either. |
