ASHRAE Journal - August 2023 - 20

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Until we have affordable solutions for remote areas
of the globe where central power is not available nor
reliable. We are not going to be able to eliminate our
dependence on fossil fuels immediately, but we can look
at ways to reduce and accept the challenge of our day
regarding the impact of our buildings on the climate crisis
by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
For the last two years, ASHRAE has had the distinct
honor of being involved in the U.N.'s Climate Change
Conference with leaders from around the world, and
one of the most profound conclusions from these events
is that the world is currently not on track to limit global
warming to a 1.5°C (2.7°F) rise, but instead global warming
is estimated to rise by over 3°C (5.4°F) by 2100 at this
point. Researchers now say there's a 66% chance we will
pass the 1.5°C (2.7°F) global warming threshold between
now and 2027. Breaking the limit even for just one year
is a worrying sign that warming is accelerating and not
slowing down.
Mitigation efforts may slow the rate of increase but
are not likely to reverse the trend. Science tells us that
to keep global temperatures from rising by more than
1.5°C (2.7°F) consistently we need to achieve net-zero
greenhouse gas emissions in just two decades from
now, meaning our dependence on fossil fuels has to be
addressed in order to meet this challenge.
The climate crisis is here. Whether you believe we are
in a human-made crisis or experiencing a natural climate
transition, based on scientific evidence there is no
doubt that humans are accelerating the change in the
climate that we are experiencing.
But there is hope!
Through human ingenuity and determination, we can
find solutions to the global climate crisis. As ASHRAE
volunteers, this is what we do! We accept challenges, and
we solve problems!
Let me give you a quick snapshot of positive efforts that
have occurred in recent years, and what you can do as
ASHRAE members to accept the challenge of addressing
the climate crisis and decarbonizing the global built
environment.
* In 2022, China's total installed solar power was
1,180 gigawatts. China is the leader in renewable energy
installations around the world. The U.S. is second.
* In 2008, the government of British Columbia,
already well ahead of the national and global curves
with its carbon tax, began requiring local governments
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to include climate targets and plans in their community
planning and growth strategies.
* New York City and several other cities and states
throughout the U.S. are implementing building performance
standards with a focus on carbon reduction.
Renewable energy has been the largest source of new
electricity generation on earth since 2015. It will take the
combined efforts of ASHRAE engineers, architects and
other building professionals to address the challenges
of the building sector's impact on climate change. We
must augment the skills we have with new information
necessary to adapt to a climate-adjusted future with
resilient buildings.
An understanding of how climate change and the
resulting natural disasters affect building planning,
design, construction and operation is necessary to properly
execute projects going forward. ASHRAE's thought
leadership in the area of building decarbonization is
recognized now more than ever.
In 2019, the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
commissioned a Blue Ribbon panel to determine
organizational influences in addressing the challenges of
the future. In the panel's document, titled " Disruption,
Evolution and Change, " ASHRAE is cited as being " best
positioned to play a significant role in facilitating
transition to the higher performance levels proposed "
in their plan. The report goes on to say, " As a significant
provider of industry training and continuing education,
ASHRAE can accelerate the transfer of knowledge to
achieve the plan's goals. " Other organizations need us
and we need them.
In order to address the coming challenges to our
industry, we have to commit to action. ASHRAE has committed
to the following efforts:
* Equipping our members with sufficient knowledge
and tools to design resilient new and renovated
buildings so they can address the impact of the built
environment on climate change. We have accepted this
challenge!
* Expanding our efforts of designing energy efficient
buildings by being cognizant of all aspects of carbon
reduction in buildings, including embodied carbon,
refrigerant use and reduction and end-of-life carbon.
We have accepted this challenge!
* Providing meaningful leadership, action, resources
and advocacy to the global built environment
in response to the challenges of climate crisis. We have
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ASHRAE Journal - August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - August 2023
