nzc - thompson
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Net Zero CitiesIf we build them, will they come?
Bob ThompsonUS EPA
October 24, 2013
Why are we as a society interested in NZ?
Save energy?Save water?Save waste?
No … primarily for human benefit
Could Net Zero Resultin Zero Population?
Ensuring People Want to Livein NZ Cities
Buildings
Industry
Commerce
Spirituality A&E
Transportation
Education
Sports andRecreation
Focus is on Buildings … not infrastructure or transportation
or other city issues.
Why? I’m most comfortable with issues related to buildings, and …
Buildings“It is your greatest opportunity to increase your quality of life, improve your health and productivity, reduce the consumption of resources, and reduce costs.”
- Bob Berkebile, FAIA
Q: Isn’t this what communities want and need?
Green BuildingsProvide ready-to-harvest opportunities …
-The marketplace is primed and ready- Most of the critical infrastructure of systems, standards, and processes are in place- The driving forces for change are continually getting stronger (Climate Change, Energy costs, Demand for healthier environments, …)
Even with all the explosive growth in awareness and construction of green buildings during the past decade, the vast majority of new
and existing buildings are not yet green, much less NZ
Less than 1%?
Common misperception today …
Green buildings cost too much!
Why?
We’re using the wrong metric
Proposal
To get the 99% on board, we need to address their bottom
lines … a new metric
Metrics around energy savings, water savings, and recycling are
all important …
but are not the reasons that we build buildings
We build workplaces to improve productivity
We build homes to improve health and comfort
We build schools to improve learning performance
These are the bottom line reasons we build buildings
These metrics could catapult the remaining 99% into green
But the metrics for these reasons are missing
Can NZ be integrated with health and well being?
Absolutely!
Many natural connectionsMany potential complications
Whywill people want to live in NZCs?
Healthier and happier places to liveWorkplaces are more productive
Homes are healthier and more comfortableSchools enhance higher performance
Integrating NZ actions with health and well being …
Your biggest challenge
Your biggest opportunity