Global Warming is 2004’s Reality:
Sustainable Building Practices are
Critical to Mankind’s Survival
Evidence accrued and presented by Santa Fe Architect and
Building Designer Ed Mazria
 seems
ominous: global warming and its consequences are a reality now,
but hope for the future lies in the immediate implementation of
sustainable, carbon fuel-free building design practices.
Speaking before a combined meeting of the New Mexico Facility
Managers Network, the New Mexico Association of Energy
Engineers, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration,
and Air-conditioning Engineers in Albuquerque, Mazria
systematically presented the indicators that support the premise
that global warming caused by carbon dioxide emissions is not
just a threat for the distant future.
The
world’s exponential population explosion has placed demands on
carbon-based fuels for most sources of energy, including those
to run facilities and additionally for transportation
applications. The resultant impact is an increase in the number
of parts per million of carbon dioxide
being dumped into the
environment daily.
The
planet is becoming increasingly unable to neutralize these
poisons. More C02 equals higher global temperatures. The net
effect is an already measurable change in the climate of the
earth.
This change of +1 degree Fahrenheit is already documented and
will raise the sea levels and cause changes in fresh water
currents in the world’s oceans. This in turn affects the
survival of animal species, triggers severe weather events,
sparks uncontrollable wildfires, and ultimately will facilitate
the spread of pestilence and disease.
“A
new Ice Age is possible,” Marzria stated.
“NASA has documented that huge polar ice shelves are melting
now,” he said. “We are looking at a process which is not
gradual, as once suspected. It is abrupt. At this rate, we can
expect to add a catastrophic +10.5 to +11 degrees Fahrenheit by
the year 2050. The impact will be enormous.”
“FEMA says that by 2050 all buildings within 20 to 50 feet of
coastlines will be gone and the U.S. alone will lose 10,000
square miles of shoreline property,” Mazria summarized.
“Climate change is real, it is here now, and it is getting
worse.”
To
compound the problem, recent policy changes supported by the
Bush Administration have seriously set back the 1992 “Global
Climate Change Treaty” which sought to mandate reduction of
global CO2 pollution. Voluntary compliance rather than
mandatory adherence is the current stance.
Is
there any good news? “Climate change is reversible.” And
Mazria thinks that architects must start a building design
revolution to wean the planet away from the fossil fuel
emissions which are feeding the global warming trend.
What is included on the blueprint for change?
“Get the word out! Architects pollute! Few teachers even
teach the relationship between architecture and the
environment!”
“Buildings are the main global source of carbon fuel
pollution. They must be designed in a way to dramatically
reduce or eliminate the need for these fossil fuels. Initially,
start by designing buildings with materials that do not require
carbon fuels to make.”
“Today’s building design practices are no longer valid or
relevant. Correct building design can reduce energy consumption
by 60% to 80%.”
Then, reach out to the rest of the world: “Make governments
accountable. New building projects and /or major renovations
must meet an engineering standard of a 50% reduction in carbon
fuel consumption.”
“Finally, our goal must be to become carbon neutral by 2025 to
ensure a 50% reduction in the rate of global warming.”
“If
we don’t, our kids will bear the brunt,” he concluded.
Meeting
Humanities Greatest Challenge
Edward Mazria
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Fall,
for many of us, is a time of renewed energy and recommitment.
Maybe it’s a carry-over from when we were kids going back to
school, or maybe the cooler weather makes it easier to focus.
Now’s the time to get back in the swing of things. With NMFMN
it’s easy—come to a meeting of friendly folks, and hear a
presentation on a topic that increases your professional
knowledge.
The
New Mexico chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers has
recognized outstanding individuals and organizations for their
efforts in energy conservation, planning, and training The
awards were presented at the September 15th New
Mexico Facility Managers Network meeting.