The following article was written by an award winning, experienced, LEED accredited, green building architect based on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The purpose of this post is to educate readers on the facts about:

Climate Change And Reducing Carbon Dioxide Pollution

We are not doing enough, and we are not doing it fast enough. 

The climate of the planet is changing, and we are mostly responsible for the changes that are occurring, at least since around 1750. As a species, we can measure the carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. Right now we are at about 400 ppm (parts per million) of CO2. We also have ways to measure CO2 levels in our atmosphere in the past. I often hear about the idea that CO2 in our atmosphere has always fluctuated up and down naturally, so there is nothing to worry about. 

It is true that there have been natural fluctuations in the levels of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere. For about the past 400,000 years, CO2 has been fluctuating from about 180 ppm to about 280 ppm.  But something is different, and we can see it. Since the start of the industrial revolution in the late 1700’s, the graphs charting CO2 levels have not turned downward. In fact, they have shot through the roof. For the past 20,000 years they have been climbing from 180 ppm to the 400 ppm that we are at now. The climb from 180 ppm to 280 ppm took about 19,000+ years (perfectly within the predictable fluctuations of 400 millennium), the climb from 280-400 ppm has happened in less than 200 years.

Are we surprised that CO2 levels climbed since the dawn of the industrial revolution? Is the world a little different than we were when the United States came in to existence? Though Americans make up just 4% of the world's population, we produce 25 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel burning, (by far the largest share of any country). We need to take responsibility for that. We also need to take responsibility for the fact that we are leaders on this planet, and developing countries look to be like us. There are those who would make this a political issue. Don’t let them. It is about science. It is about people who care about each other. The planet will be fine. We will choose to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, or the planet will force us to do so.

We need CO2 levels to be at 350 ppm, and the current levels are going to go up before we see our good actions then start to bring them down. There is momentum in the natural systems. There are many things we can do. Coal-burning power plants are the largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution. Automobiles are the second largest source. Buildings are responsible for about 39% of CO2 emissions in the US. (directly related to their use of energy, created at power plants). Buildings that use less energy create less CO2 emissions.  Our new and existing buildings need to become more efficient. In buildings, conservation is first: Green building techniques like efficient air conditioning equipment and appliances, good windows, passive low tech stuff like porches, overhangs, insulation and caulking. Technology can help: Solar heat for hot water and using electrical energy from the sun. Find out what you can do at your house at www.greenhomeguide.org/. Get involved in the local US Green Building Council Chapter at www.sustainabletampabay.org. Buildings need to use 50-70% less energy than the codes allows right now, not 20 years from now.

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How To Save Money & Make Your Business More Energy Efficient:

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On April 17, 2009, after a thorough scientific review ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed finding that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.

Locally, Sarasota County Government has signed the 2030 Challenge for carbon neutrality by the year 2030 www.architecture2030.org. The City of Sarasota has signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, promising to “to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012” and “to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets”. These are targets that require real change. Change we have not yet seen be implemented. While they are currently voluntary, they should not be considered optional. Why should we care? Take a look on the 2030 Challenge web site and see what 1.25 meters (49”) of sea rise will make Sarasota’s Coast line look like, and start looking for that future “waterfront” property.

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How To Save Money & Make Your Home More Energy Efficient:

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Below are just a few of the many other resources available. Check them out and learn how you can help.

The EPA Website: http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html

The Center For Climate & Energy Solutions: http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/

The 350 Org Website: http://www.350.org/