Seth Strongin

Climate Solutions and the Breaking Barriers Collaborative are hiring! Our new program aims to reduce climate emissions from the buildings sector, while making sure that the needs of marginalized communities most impacted by climate change are addressed. https://lnkd.in/gzxcmGJP

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The Power of Parks 🌳 “Power and hope emerge in surprising places. Envisioning, planning, creating, and stewarding a park exemplifies social infrastructure, enabling communities to address social issues on their terms and replace despair and frustration with hope and action.” In SSIR’s summer issue, read about how the Trust for Public Land is helping communities from Hawai‘i to Washington, DC, revitalize their parks and build community power in the midst of ongoing social crises: “To respond to the times, parks and public spaces must become not just passive spaces but catalysts in forming a healthy polity. In caring for the commons of parks and green spaces, we nurture social solidarity, civic engagement, and a thriving democracy.” Read the full story >> https://lnkd.in/e8bgMN3X #democracy #parks #community #power

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🎉⚡💵 So excited for the USDN members who won $3.5mil for the DOE's Resilient & Efficient Codes Implementation grant with wonderful partners New Buildings Institute! Shout out to Leslie Ethen of Tucson, AZ for her leadership in pulling this together. 🏢 The Resilient Southwest Building Code Collaborative is a partnership between local governments, states, nonprofit and academic institutions, and community organizations. Through an inclusive engagement process, they’ll adapt the latest International Energy Conservation Code for use in the Southwest and support adoption of these updated codes in local jurisdictions (and beyond!). These technical solutions will prioritize the needs of communities on the frontlines of climate change. That means people will have a say in how their buildings can be more resilient, and how the building industry can foster more high-quality, good-paying job opportunities. The Collaborative is committed to long-term trust building by creating feedback loops with historically disinvested communities that encourage genuine engagement. In turn, these more efficient and resilient building codes will reduce energy burden and environmental exposure for all residents, including those prioritized by the #Justice40 initiative. We’re pumped to collaborate with you and support this work. From Leslie: “Putting together a federal grant application with 36 partners was challenging, but we leveraged existing relationships between USDN members to build a coalition, connected through USDN with potential technical partners, and benefited greatly from the grant writing assistance USDN provided. This project demonstrates the incredible reach and value of collective action among communities that USDN exists to facilitate.” USDN members: here’s how Leslie stacked USDN support to go after this huge chunk of funding! 💡Leslie applied for an Emergent Learning Fund grant to support the initial organizing around the opportunity in AZ and NM. The initial city and county partners convened in person prior to the grant opportunity opening. This emerging coalition was able to develop a detailed project concept that formed the core of this successful grant application. 🧑‍💻 Then, she utilized our Federal Funding Technical Assistance to support the proposal development. Having a knowledgeable third-party grant reviewer evaluate both the concept paper and full application with respect to how well we met the evaluation criteria helped is fine-tune the proposal into a well-received grant application. ⭐ And, she had the support of our awesome colleague Brianne Fisher all along the way! To learn more about the Collaborative, listen to this recent podcast with Leslie from U.S. Green Building Council: https://lnkd.in/ebUCSFzx #InflationReductionAct

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Have you seen New Buildings Institute's UHI Factsheet: Policy Actions to Tackle Extreme Heat and Urban Heat Islands? This factsheet summarizes policy pathways and strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and urban heat islands (UHI) from NBI’s recently released code overlay. Check out the UHI Factsheet! https://hubs.li/Q02wsBGf0 View the entire UHI Code Overlay. https://hubs.li/Q02wsx9z0

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DIALOG partner Craig Applegath, FRAIC sat down with Medium writer Wes O'Donnell for an in-depth interview to discuss the urgency for climate adaptation interventions through design, and introduce the REACH Protocol DIALOG is developing to address these risks. In the article, the writer explores what building owners need to do to adapt their buildings to the escalating impacts of climate change. “I believe adaptation is an opportunity for positive change, and the ability to create impact is amplified when the whole problem is embraced, in a holistic manner,” Craig shares. “That’s why we created the REACH Protocol as a methodology for better understanding the impacts climate change will have on individuals, organizations, and communities — and developing effective strategies for adapting to those impacts.” Read full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gQBRRy5x   #DIALOG #design #thoughtleadership #climateadaptation

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Public land management agencies are caught in a balancing act: how can we develop urban areas while protecting vital green spaces? Current asset management practices often prioritize development over conservation, failing to account for the immense, hard-to-quantify, value of preserved natural spaces. This can lead to decisions that erode ecosystems and compromise public well-being. Adopting frameworks like Parks Canada's ecological integrity model can help cities better value green spaces and make more informed decisions that prioritize sustainability. Discover why we must rethink how we value green assets and advocate for a shift in perspective on land use. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gfpSSvZA #GreenSpaces #PublicLandManagement #Sustainability #ParksAndRecreation #EcologicalIntegrity #UrbanDevelopment #Conservation #Environment #GreenInfrastructure #Toronto

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Achieving economy-wide decarbonization demands a targeted approach to reducing emissions from buildings. This comprehensive framework outlines four key policy pillars:  1️⃣ Equity and Workforce: Fostering community empowerment, inclusive workforce development, and clear metrics/goals.   2️⃣ Cap-and-Invest: Implementing clean heat standards, carbon reduction obligations, and funding mechanisms like cap-and-invest programs.   3️⃣ Codes and Standards: Establishing building energy codes, appliance efficiency standards, and equipment emission regulations.   4️⃣ Climate-forward Efficiency: Promoting clean heat and decarbonization programs, long-term planning, and utility regulation aligned with climate goals. Our new brief written in collaboration with NESCAUM and Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) outlines this multi-faceted strategy which offers a roadmap for states to drive building decarbonization. Read the full table brief here: https://lnkd.in/g5MfkhEX

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As climate change continues to affect the US, it's vital to find new solutions for our communities. Abt Global is working with HUD to improve climate resilience by implementing new technologies in transportation, housing, and other parts of our infrastructure. "Cool roofs" and other climate-friendly tech could soon be a part of your community! #AbtGlobal #HUD

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The built environment is crucial in restoring biodiversity with regenerative design practices. Check out our newest member-exclusive report, "Nature's Blueprint: Enhancing Biodiversity Through Design," to learn about incorporating biodiversity. Learn more and view the key insights. https://bit.ly/3ALSrIN

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The built environment is crucial in restoring biodiversity with regenerative design practices. Check out our newest member-exclusive report, "Nature's Blueprint: Enhancing Biodiversity Through Design," to learn about incorporating biodiversity. Learn more and view the key insights. https://bit.ly/3ALSrIN

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California is leading the fight against climate change with ambitious goals like net-zero emissions and zero waste. But true progress requires health equity and environmental justice. At PSR-LA, we focus on equitable building decarbonization to create healthy, resilient homes for all. Check out our Prescription for Action: Equitable Building Decarbonization series, where we explore why decarbonization is essential for Californians' health and our state climate goals! https://lnkd.in/g5Z6fVWj

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Join Jim Simon at next Tuesday’s California League of Cities webinar about climate resilience districts one of 10 TIF tools available in California today.

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We're in the final stretch for speaker abstracts for Building Innovation 2025! The conference theme is Thrive: Strategies for Resilient Communities. NIBS seeks speaker abstracts for topics, including: Functional recovery Sustainable design and construction practices Retrofitting for resilience Climate adaptation strategies for buildings and infrastructure Community resilience and engagement in urban planning Innovative materials Technologies for resilient design, construction, and planning Policy frameworks that support resilient development Adopting resilient projects and strategies; case studies Integration of green infrastructure and ecosystem services Risk assessment and management in the built environment Innovative investments and insurance in resilience Workforce View the submission guidelines: https://hubs.ly/Q0314v6Y0 #buildinginnovation #resilience #BI2025

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The SBCC is soliciting Comments on an Embodied Carbon Study Required by 2024 Supplemental Operating Budget Section 151 (15) (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950). Please visit the Embodied Carbon Study Page found in the link for additional information. Additional information found here: https://lnkd.in/gmJuf55p What you can read there: This study was conducted by the non-profit Carbon Leadership Forum for the State Building Code Council (SBCC) as per the proviso in Section 151 (15) in the 2024 Supplemental Operating Budget (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950). The suggestions, recommendations, and comments in this study will help inform future policy and code development and will be used as one of many useful tools to assess the appropriate embodied carbon policy that could be adopted in Washington state through its building codes. The proviso language indicates that the council must provide opportunities for comment from design, construction, and building industry stakeholders regarding the study. All comments will be collected and compiled into an appendix that will be included with the study. To provide comments on the Embodied Carbon Study to be included in the appendix, please use the Contact Us Page. This page provides the opportunity for stakeholders indicated in the proviso and the public to comment on the study and will continue to have this opportunity until December 1, 2024, when the study is delivered to the Legislature (Letters and other documents can be attached to comments that are sent in through the Contact Us Page or they can be sent via email at [email protected]). When commenting, please include your name, (title and company if applicable) and indicate if you are with the design, construction, or building industry, or an interested party or public. This information will be included with comments in the appendix. Again, all comments received will be collected and compiled into an appendix that will be included with the study delivered to the Legislature.

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A coalition of climate, labor, and advocacy groups is calling for the inclusion of new climate investments in the fiscal year 2025 budget, including greater funding for Local Law 97. Environmental, labor groups call for more climate funding in city budget | https://lnkd.in/eNbCMC8b #LocalLaw97 #Buildings #NYS

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Seth Strongin, building decarbonization planning director, will be participating as a panelist at an upcoming AIA Los Angeles event on August 8th titled, “Advancing Decarbonization: Embodied Carbon Reductions Enter California Building Code,” held at the AIA Los Angeles HQ.   A pioneering update to California’s building code will require reductions in Embodied Carbon for commercial building projects. Seth will join a panel of experts to discuss the implications, strategies, opportunities and tools required to advance embodied carbon reduction, relative to the CALGreen code update.   The reduction of embodied carbon is a critical component to advancing a net zero future for the built environment. On July 1st, 2024, California became the first U.S. jurisdiction to mandate the disclosure and reduction of embodied carbon for commercial building projects in its building code.   In addition, the CALGreen update will introduce three compliance paths for reducing embodied carbon in commercial construction. The panel will present work and experiences from a range of experts in embodied carbon and decarbonization considerations in architectural project delivery. Tickets can be purchased on the AIA Los Angeles website: https://lnkd.in/gmDi646Z   #CALGreen #NetZero #Decarbonization #Engineering #BuiltEnvironment

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While we all continue focusing on global emissions reductions, planning for climate #adaptation can also save lives. This requires you to look ahead and understand how the environment will change in your local area. This new tool from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science uses different #emissions scenarios to model those anticipated changes in the coming years. https://lnkd.in/gRHxucje

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Cities are both significant contributors to climate change and disproportionately affected by climate impacts, just as they are sites of innovative economic growth while also being areas of profound income disparity. Addressing these challenges requires a new generation of leaders. The Master of Engineering Leadership in Urban Systems offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates engineering, urban planning and architecture. Courses are taught by world-renowned experts from UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science and cover topics in urban systems planning, infrastructure asset management, urban systems engineering, urban systems and society and urban systems project delivery and economics. There are endless opportunities for practical experience within the Urban Systems curriculum. For example, in the project delivery and economics course, students learn how to deliver a public sector project by exploring various procurement models and project delivery options. Students also complete a capstone project where they propose ideas for the redevelopment of a 546-acre development in Edmonton, Alberta, that meets the site’s environmental, social and economic goals. Graduates of the MEL in Urban Systems are in high demand. Take Stephanie Dalo who is now a sustainable design engineer at DIALOG, or Gabriela Mercado who works as a Sustainability and Resilience Advisor for BC Housing, or Stephanie Tsui who is now a planner for TransLink’s Bus Priority Program. For those who are ready to accelerate their career growth and launch their future as a leader in urban planning, the MEL in Urban Systems offers a proven path to gain cross-disciplinary technical knowledge, business insight and industry connections. Want to learn more? Read the full article and join us for Virtual Open Day, linked in the comments. #UBCMEL #UBCMELURSY #UrbanSystems #ProfessionalLeadershipMasterDegrees #cityplanner #sustainablecities #civilengineering #UBC #vancouver

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As climate change risks escalate, it's crucial for cities to enhance their resilience and address systemic inequities. USGBC has developed the Equity Guide to complement the LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities: Existing Cities rating system. This innovative tool applies an equity lens to each credit within the rating system, offering case studies, guiding context, and questions to help local governments integrate equity more effectively into their sustainability planning. By centering equity in sustainability efforts, we can ensure that every action and goal considers equitable outcomes, achieving a just distribution of resources to protect all communities from climate-related hazards. You can explore how the Equity Guide can support your city in advancing climate action rooted in equity. Let's work together to create more resilient, equitable, and sustainable cities for all! 🌍 https://bit.ly/467pu5r #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Equity #USGBC #LEED #Cities #Communities #ClimateChange #Resilience

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