Blueprint for Better, Labor 4 Sustainability, The Climate Daily Crowdfunding Reforestation Campaign!

 THE AIA “BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER”

According to architect Julie Hiromoto, “Architects don’t just design buildings. We design systems that can work equitably for cities and regions.” We all know the reality. Human activity is warming our climate to dangerous levels, and carbon pollution is the primary culprit. Buildings contribute about 40% of that carbon pollution. The harm that results affects us all but doesn’t impact us all equally. Architects have been called the “Authors of the built environment.” As such, they play a crucial role in addressing and mitigating the damage. That’s why the American Institute of Architects, AIA, started the “Blueprint for Better” campaign.

This campaign is a call to action. AIA  is asking architects, design professionals, civic leaders, and the public in every community to join efforts To Help transform the day-to-day practice of architecture, and achieve a zero-carbon, resilient, healthy, just, and equitable built environment. And because architects can’t make change in a vacuum, the campaign is also aimed at civic leaders, with a goal of influencing them. After all, according to Blueprint for Better campaign materials, ‘Architects don’t just work on single projects. They’re community leaders, trusted advisors, and valuable partners who can help you make smart, informed decisions that can achieve the future you want for your city and save taxpayer dollars.’

Why does Blueprint for Better matter to us building users, not building designers? Architects have more influence on designing for climate action and equity than nearly any other profession. Blueprint for Better is a grassroots campaign that shows how architects are designing the change our world needs, working alongside mayors, civic leaders, and clients. AIA says, It’s natural for us to help government leaders tackle big challenges like infrastructure, public health, security, and the environment. We apply the same design methodology, but on a larger scale.

DEEPER DIVE: Blue Print for Better, AIA

MEET THE LABOR NETWORK 4 SUSTAINABILITY

The group Labor Network 4 Sustainability was formed in 2018 as a vehicle through which its members could press for bold climate action in ways that address labor concerns WITHOUT sacrificing what science is saying, while also addressing income inequality and the rights of workers. Its mission statement is to be “a relentless force for urgent, science-based climate action by building a powerful labor-climate movement to secure an ecologically sustainable and economically just future where everyone can make a living on a living planet.”  

Why does the Labor Network 4 Sustainability matter to us? Mostly because of the Statement of Principles the organization developed: 

Statement of Principles of the Labor Network for Sustainability 

1. We seek a sustainable future for the earth and its people. We believe that all people have a right to make a living on a living planet. 
2. Climate change represents a mortal threat to working people, the labor movement, and society at large. 
3. We have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions fast. 
4. Minimizing climate catastrophe requires a planned elimination of coal, oil, and natural gas emissions, as well as emissions from agriculture, waste, and other sources. 
5. As the threat of climate change mounts, the rich continue to get richer, the poor get poorer, and working people get slammed. 
6. Climate protection must serve as a means to challenge environmental, racial, and gender injustice. 
7. Labor’s climate policy should insist on the basic principle of fairness that the burden of policies that are necessary for society—like protecting the climate—shouldn’t be borne by a small minority who happen to be victimized by their side effects. 
8. Full employment and economic security for all must be a central part of a labor program for climate protection because the threat of unemployment forces workers and unions to accept any jobs, even those that are destroying their own futures. 
9. We recognize that the changes that are necessary to provide a secure future for people and planet challenge the structures and values of our society. 

DEEPER DIVE: L4S

THE CLIMATE DAILY 50/100 REFORESTATION CAMPAIGN, OR, THINGS JUST GOT SUPER REAL

For many years, scientists have been warning that the rise in global temperature must be kept to below 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial levels in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change. It’s so important a benchmark, it’s been a rallying cry in the climate activist community since the Paris Accords of 2015.

According to a report released last week by the World Metrological Organization, that limit is about to be breached. It estimates there is a 66% chance that global temperatures will breach the 1.5⁰C limit by 2027. Depending upon who you talk to, that’s either three or thirteen years sooner than predicted. That’s not good. But there is hope. In the form of trees. Trillions of them.

The reality is trees are currently the best technology for capturing carbon dioxide, that greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming. It’s possible human beings will develop and scale up a technology that can rival the efficiency of Nature. But until then, our best hope is to plant a trillion trees by 2030, or sooner. That’s why we’re asking you to join our crowdfunding campaign—and our 30 tree planting partners to plant 10,000 trees at one time in one of seven regions around the world. Of course the tree-planting professionals will do all the planting.

That’s right. Join our other 201 crowdfunder partners and make a one time donation of $50 or $100 and become a climate champion. Go to www.theclimate.org, and at the top of the page, click on the words, “Climate Champion” and donate today. What’s a climate champion? A Climate Champion is someone who sees the impacts of climate change, experiences those changes themselves, and knows we cannot continue the way we have.  They’re someone who loves our green, blue and beautiful planet and wants the things they love about it to be there – just as green, blue and beautiful – for their children and their children’s children. 

A climate champion is one willing to take action to help change the current direction – so our fears don’t come to pass. Yeah, like two-time donor and two-time climate champion, Vicky Bonasera! We’re proud to be a champion for the earth and for the climate.  Come join us! Donate today. Go to www.theclimate.org, and at the top of the page, click on the words, “Climate Champion” and donate today

DEEPER DIVE: WMO Report,  50/100 Campaign, Trillion Tree Project