The heat wave, which lasted for several days, brought with it a surge in temperatures that reached unprecedented levels, exceeding the historical average by a significant margin. This unprecedented heat wave served as a stark reminder of the severity of climate change and its potential consequences. The heat wave’s impact extended beyond just rising temperatures.
Such severe weather patterns demonstrate that climate change isn’t a problem for the future, but rather an already pertinent problem in the present day. Still, both candidates in the 2024 presidential election have expressed hesitancy toward holding private organizations accountable for environmental harm. During the latest debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, Harris doubled down on her support for fracking, and Trump expressed his loyalty to the domestic oil industry. These commitments imply that neither presidential candidate currently plans to hold the oil industry accountable for its damage to the environment. Consequently, ensuring net-zero — and hopefully, net-positive — greenhouse emissions in the future will require innovative sustainability methods.
A key contemporary strategy to achieve sustainability progress is green building, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as “the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to … deconstruction.” Green building research conducted in 2022 by the United Nations Environment Programme suggests that buildings accounted for a little over a third of international power consumption, while the World Green Building Council similarly found that buildings cause almost 40% of energy-related emissions. These findings emphasize that the construction process and life cycles of buildings greatly — and at the current state of building methods and requirements, negatively — impact the planet.
The first step, retrofitting existing buildings, involves making improvements to the energy efficiency of these structures. This can be achieved through various methods, such as installing energy-efficient windows, upgrading insulation, and utilizing renewable energy sources like solar panels. These measures can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Moreover, green roofs also benefit people’s mental and physical health. Studies by the Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture of Konkuk University, and researchers from the University of Virginia and Curtin University respectively indicate that increased human interactions with nature through green roofs can improve productivity and satisfaction, as well as decrease hospital visits and blood pressure problems. Creating green buildings with such roofs could also improve social equity. Analysis by Los Angeles Forest Equity revealed that 20% of the City of L.A.’s tree canopy exists in only four neighborhoods, with the lasting effects of redlining being a major factor.
This approach aims to prioritize areas with the greatest need for tree canopy, ensuring that the most vulnerable communities are not left behind. **Key Points:**
* **Tiered Approach:** Los Angeles utilizes a tiered system to prioritize tree canopy expansion. * **Infrastructure Changes:** The tiers are based on the level of infrastructure changes needed to accommodate more trees.
The University should similarly commit to sustainability — following the standard set by Ginsburg Hall, USC’s first-ever LEED Platinum-certified building — for implementing Facilities Planning and Management’s 2030 Master Plan, which includes campus area expansions and new facilities construction. When planting greenery, USC should also grow vegetation that is native to USC’s unique biodiverse location for the best sustainability outcomes. Ultimately, both L.A. and USC should embrace the practice of green building, helping counter the climate crisis while simultaneously enriching their residents’ quality of life.
