Environmental LinksThe 2030 Challenge Environmental Links

Buildings are the major source of global demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG). Slowing the growth rate of GHG emissions and then reversing it is the key to addressing climate change and keeping global average temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. View the Environmental Links bleow.

To accomplish this, Architecture 2030 issued The 2030 Challenge, asking the global architecture and building community to adopt the following targets:

* All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 60% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

* At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 60% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

* The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings and major renovations shall be increased to:
o 70% in 2015
o 80% in 2020
o 90% in 2025
o Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).

Environmental Links

These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum) renewable energy.

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10+ things that each one of us can do to make the pledge to help reduce climate change

  1. Change a light: Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
  2. Drive less: Walk, bike carpool, or take mass transit more often. You’ll save one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you don’t drive!
  3. Recycle more: You save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half your household waste.
  4. Check your tires: Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere!
  5. Use less hot water: It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead. (50 pounds of CO2 saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year).
  6. Avoid products with a lot of packaging: You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%.
  7. Adjust your thermostat: Moving your thermostat just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer you could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment.
  8. Plant a tree: A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide a year over its lifetime.
  9. Turn off electronic devices: Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer where you’re not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
  10. Spread the word! Encourage your friends to watch, buy or read An Inconvenient Truth.

Find out more you can do: www.climatecrisis.net & www.liveearth.org

For our local community in Aldea, Santa Fe, New Mexico here is more you can do:

    1. Recycle: Trash Pick up service in Aldea : Ibarras Trash Service, office: 505.471.0873 Cell: 505.920.3264 . You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of your household waste.
    2. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket: You’ll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action.
    3. Buy a fuel efficiency Automobile: When it comes time for a new car, choose a more efficient vehicle. You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid!

 

Download the PDF of the 10+ things you can do to make the pledge to help reduce global warming: 10things_PDF»

 

Environmental Resources for Architectural Planning, Design & Building

cometEnergy Efficiency & Sustainability Issues

 

 

cometEnvironmental Organizations

 

 

 

If you have suggestions, comments, and or additions you would like to see on this page, please contact us. We want to be of service and a resource for Environmentally Conscious Architecture, Planning, Design, and Creativity.