35 making significant changes in the industry can seem daunting, but with such vast potential for improvement, those working in the industry have the opportunity to lead out and walk the talk of sustainability, both through individual efforts and approach to project design. Setting this example — void of any form of moral superiority — within the industry, throughout communities and neighborhoods, and even within one’s own circle of family and friends can have a significant impact. It might also draw attention to the most pressing issues facing a community. The visual impact of a water-wise landscape in a front yard can remind neighbors of the ongoing drought, encourage others to save water, or prompt a phone call or email to government representatives demanding action on water issues. Other simple yet effective personal actions might include making a strong effort to reduce waste, especially single-use plastic, while diverting as much as possible to recycling or composting bins. Supporting local farmers or growing a backyard garden can help improve food security and reduce emissions. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances in homes and workplaces will reduce overall energy consumption, and using public transportation or cycling helps improve poor air quality. Sustainable architectural design is becoming more prevalent, more achievable, and more affordable. In fact, “green” buildings are around 15% less expensive to operate and maintain. Design teams understand the many benefits of sustainable buildings and have the opportunity to communicate these benefits to owners. Additionally, they have the opportunity to play a role in enabling individual sustainability efforts. For example, a sustainable building design might encourage building users to minimize waste by making recycling and composting more accessible, automating the process, or even finding a way to help increase the building users’ trust in the recycling process. Another project might benefit from visual reminders to occupants of sustainable building components that could be repeated in their own homes, such as a small section of solar panels placed within public view or a rooftop vegetable garden tended by the building users. The challenge for design teams is to embed sustainability within every project and to do so in a way that shows sustainability to be simple and accessible for everyone while moving the industry toward a collective mindset shift that will become part of a sustainable revolution. Why The Building Sector? – Architecture 2030. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://architecture2030.org/why thebuilding-sector/ Water Scarcity | Threats | WWF. (n.d.). World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/ water-scarcity World’s worst air pollution slashes seven years off life expectancy in Bangladesh. (2022, June 16). Mongabay Environmental News. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://news.mongabay.com/2022/06/worldsworst-air-pollution-slashes-7-years-off-lifeexpectancy-in-bangladesh/ Singapore Green Plan 2030 | Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/key-focus-areas/ overview Lee, L. (2022, August 17). Baby boomers in Singapore more environmentally conscious, leading greener lifestyles than younger generations: Study. TODAY. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://www.todayonline.com/ singapore/baby-boomers-singapore-moreenvironmentally-conscious-leading-greenerlifestyles-younger-generations-study-1970726 Elizabeth Currey has more than 15 years of experience in the AEC industry and holds a master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. She leads sustainability efforts at VBFA, a full-service MEP firm specializing in sustainable, energy-efficient MEP systems engineering. Design teams understand the many benefits of sustainable buildings and have the opportunity to communicate these benefits to owners. Additionally, they have the opportunity to play a role in enabling individual sustainability efforts.
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