ARCHITECTURE 2030

Architecture 2030, an initiative by Ed Mazria and adopted by AIA, is concerned with the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. Caught up in the storm of humanity, we have lived on the earth as though we do not belong here. We have abused our home. As we begin to see the effects of our storm, the storm of sustainability is becoming stronger in our society. Unlike many green architecture and design programs, Architecture 2030 is more interested in reducing the carbon footprint of already existing buildings, since using already built structures will always have less of an impact than any new construction. The ultimate goal is to be entirely carbon neutral, meaning that whatever is taken and consumed is put back into the environment. The challenge is to reduce fossil fuel by 60% by 2010, 70% by 2015 and on and on until carbon neutral is reached in 2030. Because many would be reluctant to do this and would put it off for extended periods of time, many organizations are trying to get building codes passed that will enforce these guidelines to become carbon-neutral. Once we realize that changes must be made, we can see beauty in the human storm, in the world around us, and allow the storm of sustainability to grow, thus making our world more beautiful and livable.