Climate Literacy/Education

Tuesday, January 5

• 1:30-3:00 Engaging the Public in Climate Literacy (Lead: Dave Jones)

Amy Philipson, Research Channel

Sheril Kirshenbaum, Duke University

• 3:15-3:45 Science in the City: Scientific theory vs. Political Campaigns (Lead: Doug Cohen)

Fred Blood, Environmental Program Co-ordinator,Austin Energy, Austin, TX

The Process of enviromental Decision Making thru the lens of City government is a difficult process. Public engagement on complex issues such as utilities can be arduous. Several case studies will be looked at to compare and contrast the Anatomy of Decision Making Water Treatment Plant IV - 1984 and Water Treatment Plant IV - 2007 Bulk Storage Plant - 1994 State Highway 130 - State Highway SW 45 Future Generation Plan 2009

These decisions can be successes and failures. An analysis of this process will be discussed along with the compromises and broad consequences that need to be looked at in this context.

A regional advocate for clean air, green buildings, performance/smart growth, resource conservation, environmentally preferential purchasing, alternative fuels (DOE Clean Cities Program), and cradle-to-cradle (reuse, recycling, haz-mat collection) material controls. Helped start the local CNU and USGBC chapters in Austin, have participated in ULI functions 2000-2004 – Sustainability Officer - Transportation, Planning and Sustainability Department Responsible for the water conservation group, the long term transportation planning group (early toll road discussions) and the air quality group. Re-obtained the Clean Cities Program for the region. Accomplishments included negotiating the regional Early Action Compact (for the 8-hour NAAQS ground-level ozone) with 5 counties, 6 cities and a variety of other entities to piece together an air quality plan to address ground level ozone. Part of the plan required changing a State regulation and negotiations with the TCEQ Commissioners. Final product, the Clean Air Action Plan was acknowledged as the best plan in the US. Austin Energy 2004-2009 Sustainability Officer National Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Campaign visited 13 states, 28 cities and made approximately 50 presentations in an effort to educate the public and obtain partners. Currently involved with striving to stay in attainment with the new ozone standard and the implementation strategies for the City of Austin’s Climate Protection Program, with a goal of having municipal operations carbon neutral by 2020. Major components include determining total footprint and appropriate cost effective approaches towards reduction of emissions. Austin Energy 2009 – Present –Environmental Program Coordinator Contributed to ARRA grant applications – block grants for energy conservation and electric transportation. Taking over responsibility for Hazardous Material permitting and communications. Involved with new ozone reduction activities.

Wednesday, January 6

• 2:3:30 Climate Literacy Network - CLEAN NSDL Pathway (Lead: Tamara Ledley)
• Environmental Information for the Green Building Industry (Lead: Doug Cohen)

• 4:00-5:30 'The Digital Design Ecosystem - Towards a Pre-Rational Architecture'

Speaker: Paul Seletsky, Sr. Manager - Digital Design, SOM New York

The traditional design process in architecture has entailed the development of forms and surfaces based on metaphor or overt utilitarian needs. Energy and performative validation are typically applied after building forms have been developed, as a means to determining their ability to withstand a variety of environmental conditions.

The Digital Design Ecosystem seeks to invert this process, injecting a holistic approach to the development of buildings such that a variety of performative challenges can be applied as environmental feedback through a visual dashboard; simultaneous performance metrics tied to any given set of site, programmatic, or design conditions. This approach doesn’t ignore key aspects of design influence but can provide a greater range of options currently missing from traditional architectural practice and education. The architect becomes an interpreter, rather than mere implementer, of building conditions. This might then confer a new type of professional significance where “neutral” product information and environmental data, delivered freely over the internet, become the central platform for ongoing environmental information exchange - displacing existing modes of design, construction, and operational collaboration. Estimated energy use versus real-time energy monitoring are incorporated throughout the building lifecycle - from the earliest design concepts through all subsequent operations.

Paul Seletsky is the Senior Manager of Digital Design for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP in New York. He presides over research and development efforts, implementing building information modeling and other new strategic processes in design. His professional work and writings have helped engender discussion and awareness of Digital Design and its potential impact on the future of architectural practice. In 2003, he began organizing a monthly technology lecture series at the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, highlighting technology’s widespread impact on architectural practice. He has also served on several national AIA technology committees. A 1982 graduate of Cooper Union’s Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture in New York, Mr. Seletsky has managed Digital Design in both the public and private sectors, and has lectured at numerous national and international academic and professional venues.

Thursday, January 7

• Joint Session (morning) with Environmental Decision Making Breakout
• 1:30-3:00 Upstream Requirements for Downstream Data Use (session to be confirmed)