To say these are unprecedented times is by now cliché, but alternative descriptions escape me. The worst global pandemic in a century still rages, and the resultant economic crisis could rival the Great Depression. Simultaneously, we are experiencing what may be the most significant tipping point in the civil rights movement since the 1960s, with national protests sparked by outrage over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other victims of systemic racism and oppression. We are also threatened by extraordinary natural disasters (likely exacerbated by the climate crisis), including the recent 140-mph hurricane-force winds from a derecho storm in Iowa, and at this writing, record-breaking wildfires in California (300 fires, including two of the largest in the state’s history), and two tropical storms tracking toward the same area of the Gulf Coast within days of each other.
The underlying causes and the effects of these events are interrelated:
- While the specific mechanisms that caused the SARS-CoV-2 virus to jump from animals to humans are still under investigation, we know that climate change and associated habitat destruction are increasing the frequency of zoonotic pathogen transmissions, and that economic inequity can drive people into closer contact with wild animals (hunting “bush meat,” illegal logging, etc.).
- We also know that environmental injustice in the form of poor air quality (connected with climate change) increases respiratory stress and other health impacts that disproportionally impact disadvantaged communities. Likewise, economic injustice predisposes these same populations to poor health (diabetes, heart disease, etc.). Both of these conditions increase COVID-19 morbidity.
- The pandemic shutdown has resulted in significant reductions in air pollution and carbon emissions, but we will likely experience a rebound. Increasing ventilation rates in buildings to reduce virus transmission risk can increase energy use and associated carbon emissions, and concerns about infection may shift more commuters from public transportation to private automobiles.
- Much of the environmental movement was born of privilege, independent of racial and social justice issues. That movement is now waking up to the fact that successfully battling the climate crisis depends on solutions that address diversity, equity and inclusion. For example, Project Drawdown estimates that improving education and economic opportunity for women and girls globally has greater CO2 equivalent reduction potential than widespread deployment of distributed solar photovoltaics.
While I believe that there are moral and ethical imperatives that justify meaningful action on all these issues, differing political and ideological perspectives can prevent agreement on the need for and approach to meaningful solutions. Independent of these differences of opinion, there are many practical reasons to collectively seek integrated solutions to public health, racial and social justice and climate change. A plethora of evidence exists that early, proactive action is less expensive than late reaction, and that addressing the root causes of problems is cheaper than treating symptoms. Let’s look at a few examples.
Cutting emissions saves more than it costs – According to the U.S. EPA, the estimated cost of 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments was $65 billion, and the economic benefits resulting from reduced air pollution totaled $2 trillion. Beyond current regulations, there are many more opportunities to reduce air and water pollution, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and increase resilience, domestically and abroad. The Global Commission on Adaptation estimates that a $1.8 trillion investment in climate resilience could net $7.1 trillion in benefits. Because pollution and climate change do not recognize borders, collaborative international solutions are needed.
Investments in green infrastructure provide big returns – Post-pandemic economic recovery efforts will likely include funding for infrastructure projects. According to the Economic Policy Institute, public investments in infrastructure have an output multiplier of 1.5, boosting the Gross Domestic Product, creating living-wage jobs, reducing demand for public assistance and increasing tax revenue. If those investments were focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation projects like energy efficiency retrofits, renewable energy systems, transportation electrification, afforestation and wetland restoration (flood control), we would create green jobs, stimulate the economy, improve public health and environmental justice, and reduce climate change risks. The current concerns about reopening schools during the pandemic provide an example. The Center for Education Statistics reported that roughly half of U.S. schools have indoor air quality issues. An investment in HVAC retrofits in schools would make them safer and healthier, improve energy efficiency (saving operating costs), boost employment, and increase equity (deficient school buildings tend to be in disadvantaged communities).
Public health approach to social issues gets results – Addressing problems like substance abuse and mental health crises as public health issues rather than criminal activities yields better results at a lower cost, while enhancing social justice. The long-running Crisis Assistance Helping Out on Our Streets (CAHOOTS) program in Eugene and Springfield, Ore., offers a compelling example. Police non-emergency and 911 calls involving behavioral health issues are diverted to a crisis intervention team that responds with staff trained in de-escalation practices and the provision of social services. The program handles over 20% of police calls but costs only $2.1 million annually (~2% of police budget), saving the two cities over $15 million per year in direct costs, with additional tangible and intangible benefits. Broad adoption of this model by municipalities would yield significant social, economic and environmental benefits through improved social outcomes and community reinvestment of the cost savings.
The holistic approaches illustrated above are summed up perfectly in economist Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics model, a tool based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals that sets an inner social foundation and an outer ecological ceiling that bound the socially just and ecologically safe space for economic activities. The model links human wellbeing to planetary health and provides a concise visual assessment of the current state, while guiding transformative action to improve on it. Out of the many challenges we currently face, we have a unique opportunity to design and deploy integrated solutions that are sound investments in a healthy, equitable and sustainable future.
Alan Scott, FAIA, LEED Fellow, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, WELL AP, CEM, is an architect with over 30 years of experience in sustainable building design. He is a senior consultant with Intertek Building Science Solutions in Portland, Ore. To learn more, follow Scott on Twitter @alanscott_faia.