Maternity Leave Highlights

2024, you have been life changing.

I’m ending a six month maternity leave period and heading back to work. It has been a transformative experience… to say the least. Every single day of the last six months has been about my newborn. I haven’t been apart for him for more than a few hours! It’ll be a little tough emotionally but I can proudly hold up my growing baby and say that he is the ‘project’ I’ve been working on!

Raising a baby has been one of the most challenging yet dynamic experiences of my life! The rapid development of the baby has lent itself to emotions of joy, motivation, surprise, stress and more. Regardless of how taxing being a new mom can be, I feel immensely grateful to have another piece of my soul walking around me, giggling, and exploring the world with his curious eyes and hands.

What have I gained from this experience?

• I have a newfound motivation to push forward harder in my career. Everyday I will go to work knowing that I am building a future for my son.

• I have learned to prioritize tasks and become efficient during the day. Multi-tasking when feasible is the name of the game. Progressing forward slightly on tasks routinely accumulates to success long term.

• I will learn to say no and accept only those opportunities that provide self-growth and value.

I would strongly encourage new parents to maximize their leave. The time needed to rest and to bond with a newborn child is so critical to their development. With my child growing so quickly and developing so many ways to communicate and explore, I felt that being by his side all the time was extremely helpful to learn and adapt to all of these changes while responding to his needs effectively.

My tips for new moms in the profession are the following:

-Before baby is born, finish all your personal housekeeping items (renew that driver's license, complete your annual medical appointments, etc).

-Use feeding time on your leave to complete your continuing education credits. I earned my LFA credential during baby's naps!

-Speak with your employer about reasonable accommodations during prenatal care or after childbirth. Hybrid or remote work circumstances may be available for you. Similarly, select a medical provider that can accommodate early morning, evening or weekend appointments to avoid disruptions to your work schedule.

-Share your passion for the profession with your baby. There are plenty of awesome.age appropriate reads about architecture! There’s a ‘building code for babies’ book on my shelf!

-If you've wanted to engage in freelance work, this is the time to seek out opportunities! Rehash your old connections and see what creative collabs you can work on.

I'm a Planning Official!

This week, I was sworn in as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for my town!

I have always held a desire to exercise my position in architecture to simply do more. So when I had the opportunity to engage in civic advocacy for my community in New Jersey, I applied right away.

Becoming a citizen architect is not just about acquiring a professional title; it's a commitment to using your skills, knowledge, and passion for architecture to make a positive impact on society.

I hope my training and experience can bring forth fresh perspectives that will enhance community planning.

I’m also looking forward to learning the ins and outs of planning and zoning in New Jersey.

Citizen Architect

Green Building Expert Farah Ahmad Discusses HVAC + Household Plug Loads

In this episode, our host Scott and Green Building expert Farah Ahmad dive into the topic of plug loads and discuss practical strategies to reduce energy consumption in your home.

Plug loads account for a significant portion of a home's energy usage, and Scott and Farah share insightful tips on identifying and managing these energy-consuming devices. They cover the importance of using energy-efficient appliances, smart power strips, and standby power reduction techniques to help you save energy and lower your utility bills.

Green Building Expert Farah Ahmad Discusses Energy Efficient Household Lighting

We're joined by Green Building expert Farah Ahmad and our host Scott as they discuss energy-efficient lighting options for your home. In this episode, Scott and Farah explore the different types of energy-efficient household lighting, including LED, CFL, and halogen bulbs. They share tips on how to choose the right lighting for each room, the benefits of energy-saving lighting, and how to make the switch to eco-friendly options.

Expert Insight On Windows and Doors with Green Building Expert Farah Ahmad

This 5-part podcast series, featuring Green Building expert Farah Ahmad, is designed to help homeowners make eco-friendly choices for their homes. In this episode, we're talking about the importance of windows and doors for energy efficiency and potential savings.

We cover the basics, such as properly latching windows and ensuring double-hung windows are fully closed. Additionally, we discuss methods to detect air infiltration around windows and share expert advice on window replacements. Most importantly, we dive into the financial incentives available in 2023 for upgrading your windows and doors!

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Heating Water the Smart Way: Energy-Efficient Tips from Green Building Expert Farah Ahmad

In this informative and engaging episode, Green Building Expert Farah Ahmad joins Scott Thomas Fischer from Ciel Power LLC to discuss practical ways to lower household energy consumption related to hot water usage.

From simple behavior changes to advanced technology upgrades, Farah and Scott cover a range of energy-saving solutions that will help you make your home's hot water system more efficient and eco-friendly.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn valuable tips and insights from industry experts that will not only reduce your energy bills but also contribute to a greener environment. Be sure to watch the entire episode to make the most of your hot water system!

Transform Your Home with Insulation: A Ciel Podcast Special with Green Building Expert Farah Ahmad

In this episode of the Ciel Power Podcast, join our host Scott Fischer, Managing Member of Ciel Power LLC, as he talks with Farah Ahmad, Green Building Expert, about the incredible benefits of insulating your home. They dive deep into the world of insulation, discussing its importance, different types, and how it can improve energy efficiency and comfort for homeowners. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and transform your home!

Guest Bio:

Farah Ahmad is a renowned Green Building Expert with a passion for creating sustainable and energy-efficient living spaces. Farah holds a Bachelor of Architecture from The City College of New York of the City University of New York. Her expertise spans residential and commercial sectors, making her a sought-after consultant in the industry.

Over the course of her career, Farah has contributed to numerous high-profile green building projects and has garnered a reputation for her innovative approach to sustainable design. Her professional experience includes working with the International Code Council on green buildings technical standards development and project sustainability compliance reviews. Farah is a LEED Accredited Professional and licensed architect.

Farah's commitment to promoting energy efficiency and environmentally responsible practices extends beyond her professional work. As an active member of various green building associations and a regular speaker at industry conferences, Farah strives to share her knowledge and inspire others to embrace sustainable living.

In her personal life, Farah enjoys exploring photography, travel, and a passion for journalism. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world by helping others create more sustainable, comfortable, and efficient living and working environments.

Connect with Farah at:

Farah Ahmad LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/farahleedap

Farah Ahmad Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/RENEWABLEFARAH

Farah Ahmad Twitter: https://twitter.com/Farah_Arch

Host:

Scott Fischer is the Managing Member of Ciel Power LLC, a company dedicated to providing energy efficiency solutions for residential and com

mercial customers. With a background in energy audits and building performance, Scott has devoted his career to helping people save money, reduce their environmental impact, and create more comfortable living spaces.

Connect with Scott:

http://www.scottthomasfischer.com/

Scott Thomas Fischer LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/pub/scott-fischer...

Scott Thomas Fischer Instagram: http://instagram.com/scottfischnj

Scott Thomas Fischer Twitter: http://twitter.com/scottfischNJ

About Ciel Power LLC:

Ciel Power LLC is a leading provider of energy efficiency solutions for New Jersey households. Their services include insulation, heating, air-conditioning, and hot water system upgrades, as well as comprehensive energy audits. Ciel Power's mission is to help customers save money, improve comfort, and reduce their environmental footprint through cost-effective energy-saving solutions.

What are all the hats an architect wears?

I recently polled my Twitter community of architects and other sustainability-driven design and building professionals on the [hard] hats an architect wears!

When I’m asked what I do as an architect, it’s never a simple answer.

Yes, my work absolutely informs design, but there are so many supplemental nuances- some obvious, and some not so obvious.

So, I had to pose the question and my fellow architects really brought these answers home! My tweet went viral and I could not have anticipated the passion and diversity this prompt evoked. I had to share the responses with you all.

Some are witty.

Some are creative.

…They are all on the mark.

This post is:

For those aspiring to get into the field of architecture.

For those in the field of architecture still trying to find their niche.

For architects who may not work in the traditional role or who juggle many responsibilities.

Twitter Credit: https://twitter.com/hooka321

ARCHITECTS ARE…..

• Post-disaster specialists / humanitarians

• Communicators/Specifiers

• Activists

• Design-thinkers, futurists, philosophers, systems-theorists, inventors, writers, story-tellers, planners, developers, imagineers

• Risk Managers

• Alchemists

• Master procrastinators

• Life changers

• Renderers

• Relationship Builders

• Technicians, Technologists

• Process Architects

• Mediators

• Orchestrators

• Strategists

• Preservationists

• Advocates

• Facilitators, researchers, advocates, reviewers, visionaries, movement-builders, framers, equalizers

• Optimists

• Craftsperson, builders, creators, technical specialists, designers, programmers, information managers, coordinators, makers, thinkers, project managers (today’s task)

• Coordinators

• More and more often, programmers. Technically sometimes, strategically in others.

• Enablers

• Emailers

• Advisers/Advocates

• Psychologists

• Underpaid People

• Peacemakers, Diplomats, Dreamers, Therapists, Hope-makers.

• Listener, thinker, life evaluator, life safety expert, HERO

• Concerned Citizens

• Problem solvers; project managers; creators; writers.

• Workers

• Storytellers

Sustainable & Functional Design- Building for Today and Tomorrow

The beauty of moderating a panel discussion is being able to steer the conversation to shed light. 🎤

As an Architect and green building writer, I pay special attention to broadcasting issues or stances in the profession that need attention. ✔️

In this particular discussion, we went beyond the traditional lectures on design to discuss how architects can become the true agents of sustainability, their roles on engaging clients, and where the industry could benefit from improvements.

So, check out the recording of the panel I moderated this week! I promise there is some valuable information throughout this discussion.

#buildingindustry #designtalks

Scroll through the gallery above for glimpses from the event!

Sustainability Spotlight Series

ReSustainability Spotlight Series: Reynard Architectural Designs + RenewableFarah

1. October 2022: How to reduce the cost of home ownership with passive design
   In this premiere episode, we chat harnessing your microclimate to save energy and costs in your home operation through careful planning: siting, orientation, glazing + building materials all play a role. Read the full interview here.

2. November 2022: What is greenwashing?

   For our next By Design episode, Sustainability Spotlight's Renewable Farah and Jack of Reynard Architectural Designs discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing, learning how to be a smart consumer, how to verify that custom home building products are actually certified by a reliable third party. Read the full interview here.

3. January 2023: Trends in Residential Energy Consumption

   Jack Baldwin of Reynard Custom Homes (http://reynarddesign.com) and Rewnewable Farah discuss green building trends in custom home design and architecture and how it's affecting energy consumption. What are some ways you are thinking about sustainability with your custom home design? Read the full interview here.

Farah Naz Ahmad is an Architect on a Mission for Sustainability

Thanks to Jack Baldwin of Reynard Architectural Designs for engaging me in this conversation ranging from subject to translating codes for the public to gaining homeowner buy-in on the value of an architect/builder. I appreciated his curiosity on my industry perspective from New York City and I enjoyed hearing about his perspectives as co-founder and managing partner at Reynard in Georgia. He has also extended his reach on social media, connecting with like-minded individuals who also enjoy creating content on the building world. Check out Reynard’s website content and YouTube series (linked below) for diversity on discussion in the building and residential arena!

You can view our conversation below!

Via Reynard Architectural Designs

Zero Waste Offices

Drawing from my efforts to lead a sustainable office culture at my agency and frustrated by the amount of paper waste generated by the AEC industry, I set out to pitch this piece and interview other New York City firms to understand their waste management practices.

What ensued was an even more compelling narrative about the ways in which Architects can become empowered to take on a waste as a design issue- not only in their own companies, but in cities as well.

I hope this story empowers and educates you as much as it did me, and I hope I did justice to the incredible efforts of those who continue to uphold the best practices mentioned in this piece...

This is a story that I truly felt needed to be told.

Click below to access the story published by ARCHITECT Magazine:

Recruiting Architects to Local Government

Click to listen

Farah Ahmad joined the podcast to talk about green building standards and sustainability. She shared some of the trends in the architecture and design fields as well as initial steps into implementing sustainable building design. She also shared her career path into local government and how organizations can do a better job recruiting architects.

Check out this episode

All views expressed are personal views of her own and do not represent any entity.

Pandemic Reflections: NYC Green Building Progress + Prosperity

With a global pandemic slowing down the operations of the world, it’s seemingly become easier to BE DISTRACTED BY the chaos of interruption and lose sight of the progress of the last two years. However, as I sit at my new work-from-home station and retrospectively review New York City government and building legislature, I can’t help but admire the progress we have made as a leading city and be inspired to keep chipping away!

New York City’s green building policy, including the largest bundle of sustainable building policy in 2019, have set the stage for ADVANCEMENT for years to come. The Climate Mobilization Act in 2019 brought with it sweeping reform for building emissions.

I would like to highlight some of the more impactful policy in New York City, many of which will undoubtedly dictate trends for the rest of the country as we continue to monitor their outcomes on building performance with increasing data each year. So, check these out, and keep an eye out for similar legislation in your jurisdiction. I’ve carefully selected the more pressing policy for you so you can stay updated.

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SOLAR PV AND GREEN ROOF

Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019 enforce a Sustainable Roofing Zone provision for new residential and commercial buildings and roof assembly replacements that include the structural roof deck. I have seen a few integrated PV and green roof products at trade shows, most notably at Greenbuild 2019. These might become more useful for areas like New York City now!

Sustainable Roofing Zone- So, what’s the concept?

The Sustainable Roofing Zone makes cool roofs cooler, with more stringent solar reflectance index (SRI) values (or compliance with a combination of prescribed thermal emittance and initial solar reflectance values) for both low slope and high slope roofs. More prominently, this law mandates the implementation of either a PV system or green roof system on every feasible square footage, given of course exceptions of various rooftop obstructions, clearance access pathways, etc. It’s an ambitious law that is buckling down on maximizing roof space for the benefit of the environment.

Where else have we seen solar PV policy?

Across the country, we’ve seen the adoption of various solar PV requirements, including Solar Ready provisions adopted by some jurisdictions as part of local energy code (modeled after IECC). While this hasn’t picked up nationwide and is sadly still considered innovative in many parts of the country, some notable jurisdictions to have adopted the solar ready provisions for either residential or commercial projects (or both!) include: Seattle, Orlando, Tucson, St. Louis, and various cities in Texas. These Solar Ready provisions require buildings to dedicate roof space and incorporate infrastructure (conduit + electrical capacity) that would allow for future installation of PVs. New York adopted this provision in its 2016 Energy Conservation Code but has now eliminated it in its 2020 code due to the more stringent local law requirement detailed above. California has also advanced solar PV legislation and mandated the actual installation of PV panels for all single family residences and residential projects 3 stories or less.

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BUILDING ENERGY GRADING

Local Law 95 of 2019 is the country’s first building energy grading law.

We’re grading buildings on energy performance?! How?

Yes, and we’re not the first to do it! The European Union implemented a similar system back in 2002, but their assessment mechanisms vary. NYC’s local law requires buildings that are greater than 25,000 SF and city buildings greater than 10,000 SF to use the Energy Star benchmarking software tool (which requires input of data such as energy and water consumption, project location, number of occupants) and to generate a score which will yield a grade from the city’s Department of Buildings. The grade must then be visibly posted by the building owner for occupants and visitors to see. Such public prominence of the Building Energy Efficiency Rating label will hopefully spur building operational reform since it will place building performance in the limelight and hold owners accountable. A building’s grade will set the tone for its market value too- there is a lot at stake!

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BUILDING EMISSIONS CAP

Local Law 97 of 2019 sets caps on annual greenhouse gas emissions for the city’s buildings that are greater than 25,000 SF, beginning in 2024.

Hold existing buildings accountable!

This is truly the largest single piece of green building legislation for an existing building stock! And, it will force owners to commit to energy retrofits beginning now, since monetary penalties will be issued for every metric ton of CO2 that is exceeded. Building owners will be required to submit an emissions intensity report each year in order to document the building performance. Surely, this law will accelerate the city’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2050.

The next two policies are not a part of the Climate Mobilization Act release, but are crucial green building updates for the City of New York:

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BIRD FRIENDLY DESIGN

Local Law 15 of 2020 went into effect this year (2021) in New York City and is certainly a trendsetting law for jurisdictions nationwide, so keep an eye out! San Francisco was the first major city to adopt bird friendly design requirements, but several jurisdictions have followed suit since, including Oakland, Chicago, and the state of Minnesota.

How will design change to accommodate birds?

To combat the hundreds of millions of birds who die annually from building collisions, NYC now mandates that all building envelope surfaces within 75’ above grade must be constructed of bird friendly materials, ie with a maximum threat factor of 25. While there are minor exceptions, you can expect that all new construction and entire envelope alterations will be doing alot of R&D before specifying glass, steel, etc. Essentially, the law is stringent on glazing and reflective metallic surfaces, while non-reflective surfaces like brick, concrete, and stucco surfaces will easily comply. Additionally, areas adjacent to a green roof (which attract birds), and any fly-through conditions creating a line of sight through that element, must all comply.

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ENERGY CODE

The 2020 NYC Energy Conservation Code saw plenty of changes since the 2016 ECC, but I will highlight just a few.

I’m thrilled to see these implemented:

A) Air barrier commissioning and testing requirements have expanded to cover more commercial buildings in New York City. This means more thorough documentation of envelope seams and joints, more accountability for air leakage testing and more quality control during construction.

B) New 1 or 2 family dwellings and townhouse developments with parking will now be required to be electric vehicle ready! This is super exciting for the boroughs of New York City, where charging infrastructure has seen limited growth for private property. Either an outlet OR conduit + panel capacity for the future installation of an outlet is to be provided.

C) Another exciting update for residential energy code is that exhaust-only ventilation is prohibited and only the following may be provided: a balanced ventilation system with specified air flow rates OR supply and exhaust ventilation equipped with either a heat recovery ventilator or energy recovery ventilator.

New York City continues to raise the bar for energy code compliance and its code updates speak volumes to industry needs.

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So what’s next for New York City? While I continue telecommuting until the pandemic subsides, I can’t help but be hopeful for the changes that are coming and will continue transforming our urban center!

• NYC is gravitating towards net-zero energy new construction by 2030.

• The city expects to increase its EV (electric vehicle) charging infrastructure capacity.

• New York State is committing to 100% clean electricity by 2040, which means NYC will undoubtedly serve as a leader for our vast state. This will mean electrification of buildings, increased production of renewable energy and expansion of energy storage to meet these goals.

• With increasing fluctuations in climate change, I am certain New York City will look to mandate its current recommendations in place for climate resiliency, the Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines.

• Buildings will look to improve indoor air quality, addressing occupant safety and ventilation, in response to the pandemic.

Let’s get to work, 2021!

Going Green with Greenbuild 20-Nineteen

HANDPRINTS OVER [CARBON] FOOTPRINTS

After being so consumed with working towards my professional license as an Architect, 2019 became the year I carved out the time to attend some of my favorite industry conference. Truly, building industry events are one of a kind, as it is an opportunity to check out the latest trends and technologies, as well as hear the perspective of other jurisdictions in design and construction decision making.

In 2019, I attended three major conferences: Climate Reality in Atlanta with Al Gore, AIA’s Conference on Architecture in Las Vegas, and to round up the year, Greenbuild in Atlanta with Barack Obama.

The last time I attended Greenbuild was in 2013. I was just over a year out of Architecture school, and a LEED Green Associate eyeing Environmental Sustainability in the building world as my niche. To return six years later was a flood of nostalgia. This initial venture to Greenbuild was my first conference as a professional. Truly, an experience like no other. There was a special camaraderie amongst the 2013 Greenbuild Scholarship Recipients in exploring Philadelphia and the small city we had created within Greenbuild inside the walls of the Convention Center. I credit that conference for further propelling my intrigue for green building, boosting my confidence, and affirming (to me) the vast limits of my profession.

My second experience at Greenbuild did not disappoint. 2019 themes in the green building industry revolved around resiliency in design (building to prepare for future natural disasters as a consequence of climate change), and interior health and wellness (creating healthier spaces with better quality for occupants).

What are my 2019 observations in green building trends?

• There is an increasing focus on carbon as a metric measure for building performance.

• Cities incentivize resilient design and/or integrate it with building code. Other jurisdictions simply dictate guidelines. Check out New York City’s latest guidelines here and regulatory requirements for flood-resistant construction here.

• While our focus is largely on operational carbon in building emissions, embodied carbon makes up the majority of the carbon buckets of building. Pay closer attention to the ‘red list’ of building materials for interior retrofits during a building’s lifecycle.

• Architects need to listen to their clients and assess what they truly need, in order to make the best use of resources. Bigger usually isn’t always better. One of my favorite sessions “Personal Homes of LEED Raters - Their Paths to LEED Platinum” really illustrated the benefits of compact homes and the consequential minimal impact of building systems in design (hello smaller HVAC distribution systems, and goodbye heat loss!).

• I attended several sessions on waste management and building tenant engagement which really highlighted the role of building staff- building owners, managers, and custodial staff- and the ways they can effectively implement sustainable practices. Get them involved. Check this resource out!

• There was more diversity in the products showcased on the expo floor. EV Charging Station infrastructure, integrated solar PV and green roof, and a broader array of interior furnishings/finishes made from recycled materials, stood out to me. Check out my Sustainability instagram for more in-depth coverage of the expo floor.

Federal Leadership

What makes an effective team?

“Having diversity on your team and people smarter than you”

-Barack Obama:

Obama’s keynote was a bittersweet reminder that there demands a quicker response time to the climate change disaster-”I know of no issue that is more urgent than [climate change]”- and that the nation needs to build a culture of integrity and not edge “close to the line of betraying public trust.” Because the 2016-2020 political administration had turned its back on the most threatening life crisis, it is important to recognize that the solution is a grassroots movement that has to be bottom up. “We didn’t live and breathe it [sustainability] the way this generation does,” explained a hopeful Obama. And while it is important to work individually (Obama cited simple actions- turning the lights off when not needed), the former President also acknowledged that building codes and environmental regulations will help us to work collectively and effectively.

Another prevailing theme of Greenbuild 19 was the celebration of origin stories of Sustainability. Why should and do we care about the growing impacts of this industry? Obama spoke of growing up in Hawaii, and recognizing that there is such a finite amount of land. What exists in itself is beautiful, and he appreciated at a young age its beauty. “That makes you want to sustain it because it is nice. Even as a young kid you appreciate and recognize that you don’t want to destroy it.” Each of us has that special place we call our home or our escape, and so we by default want to preserve and protect it.

Obama also recognized an inherent flaw in American culture. Simply put, our lifestyle emphasizes big everything. It’s the reason our carbon footprint has expanded, Obama explains. Larger cars and homes aren’t helping. “The question is, how much space do we need?” Obama jokingly referenced his stays at presidential suites in hotels, where it was difficult to navigate through all the unnecessary rooms, and that it would be much more efficient to stay in one room that houses all necessities.

All in all, the best part of Greenbuild has always been reconnecting with my industry friends (and making new ones!) from around the country. Greenbuild has become a precious hub for our green building community professionals. At the time of this post, the next Greenbuild event information will take place in 2021 in San Diego.

Climate Reality with Al Gore: Atlanta

“THE ATLANTA TRAINING: CREATING A ROADMAP TO CLIMATE JUSTICE”

When I signed up for Climate Reality, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. In the months leading up to the leadership corps, a social media group emerged on Facebook to connect attendees. It brimmed with the excitement of attendees in previous years, and the successes citizens have had in their local neighborhoods. I can now confirm that the atmosphere of Climate Reality is one of a kind.

The conference, echoing the theme of environmental justice throughout, was held in Atlanta, Georgia, at the LEED certified Georgia World Congress Center. The South is the perfect setting for environmental equity, given the political and economical turmoil around fossil fuel usage. Moreover, it was a pivotal time to hold the training since next year, 2020, congressional issues for climate change will be up for debate.

“We should set a goal of planting one trillion trees on Earth.” - Al Gore

As Al Gore stated in his keynote to 2300 attendees on day one, we would “draw on the history of the civil rights movement.” Throughout the course of the three days, I fully embraced the diversity of attendees: from architects, engineers, animal rights activists, and scientists, to parents who simply wish to see their children grow up in a better world. At my table sat a retired EPA lawyer who received a buy-out from the Trump administration!

“Early to bed and early to rise, take hell and organize.”

Missed out on the training? Don’t fret. With approx. 100 Climate Reality chapters, and 29 on campuses, it’s easy to find a local chapter to get involved in. Additionally, conference locations rotate each year, both domestically and internationally, so there’s a good chance it will be held close to you!

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DID YOU KNOW??

Important messages reiterated by Al Gore + Climate Reality team

• The US government often targets rural communities of color. For instance, they have unnecessarily installed compressor stations along gas pipelines to facilitate movement of gas, specifically in these communities! Al Gore: “This pipeline is reckless, racist, and a ripoff.”- Al Gore

• Environmental racism: 78% of African Americans live 30 miles or less from a power plant. The death rate of African American children from asthma is twice as high.

• Toxic coal ash waste was dumped at a low income community in Uniontown, Alabama. Residents of Uniontown have complained about the health impact of such a landfill, a claim that has NOT been supported by the EPA!

• Taxpayers are paying for pipelines, voter suppression efforts and ballot bias for people of color!

• Global systems are vulnerable to crisis: food supply, water, global health. This is a trickle down effect that impacts all walks of our life- scary!!

• A baby born in Warsaw today will inhale the equivalent of 1,000 cigarettes in the first year of his or her life.

• India has the worst air pollution in the world.

• Grid parity- when it’s cheaper to install renewable source of energy than to burn fossil fuel.

• Wind turbine technician and solar installer —> fastest growing number of jobs in the USA!

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Q+A Session: Al Gore + panel take in questions from Climate Reality leaders

1) What are three strategies to fighting climate change?

• The IPCC Report states that we have twelve years to mitigate climate change. According to climate scientist Dr. Kim Cobb, “We don’t even have twelve years.”

• 3 strategies to fighting climate change:

a) Accelerate the decarbonization of the economy with an emphasis on electricity generation and transportation- employ a high percentage of renewables + electric vehicles. Establish a price on carbon.

b) Create a change in land use focused on agriculture and forestry. CO2 sequestered in topsoil is due to the large use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.

“Stop using fertilizer as a steroid.”

c) Revitalize democracy so that the priorities of people are first.

2) What is the environmental impact of renewable energy technologies- is there a trade off to using nuclear energy?

• One complaint about wind turbines is the death of birds. However, when you look at the numbers, bird deaths are not that huge.

• Some metals (mercury) used in renewable energy technologies are used in conventional internal combustion engines.

• Nuclear energy- Nuclear power plants do cost a lot of $$$, and no one seems to know about it.

3) What individual behaviors will make the most impact?

• Do whatever makes you feel empowered- whether it is individually or collectively.

• Reduce red meat, food + waste. Buying green/organic sends a message to manufacturers. We need to change our consumption patterns- 5 pounds of waste per person per day, in America!

4) How can we challenge elected officials to listen to people?

• Policymakers can alert their constituents.

• Get rid of voter suppression efforts.

• Did you know? The average congress representative spends FOUR HOURS a day asking for MONEY from special interests + the wealthy!

5) Is there a maximum amount of CO2 that can be sequestered by the ocean?

The absorption of CO2 has caused ocean acidification. Extreme temperatures also threaten ocean. As the ocean gets warmer, it absorbs less CO2.

6) How can we help long term crisis while being sensitive to short term needs?

Emphasize the creation of jobs, put a tax on CO2, and reduce payroll taxes by same amount —> become revenue neutral.

7) What are some best practices for talking about climate change communities?

Know your audience and speak to them from their perspective. Recognize that you may be communicating science to non-scientists.

8) Discuss the role of scientists in the climate movement.

Climate scientists have not risen to the challenge of engaging beyond scenes from partisan attack, and need to evolve their roles to do such!

9) How does Agriculture play a role in emissions, including animal agriculture?

• It takes 7 to 8 lbs of plant protein to make 1 lb of beef protein.

• Plows devastate the landscape- breaking up soil makes it susceptible to erosion.

• Carbon credits + reforestation link- we need a way to build up soil carbon.
  

“The most powerful technology for taking CO2 out of the air is called a tree.”

10) What is Carbon Pricing?

• The solution for bringing down CO2 emissions is to put a tax on them, so that the economy, through all of its operations, integrates signals.

• Currently, people are paying more taxes and giving money to fossil fuel companies.

• Subsidies to fossil fuel sector are frequently made by China, Japan + Republic of South Korea -> these are subsidies for coal plants. Politics has swayed towards funding for dirty fossil fuels due to selfish interests.

NCARB Architect Spotlight

Thank you to NCARB for the homepage feature! I am grateful to share my industry perspective with other licensure candidates and licensees! Click below to read my personal story:

https://www.ncarb.org/blog/architect-spotlight-farah-ahmad