Southface Institute: Blog

World Environment Day

Events

World Environment Day has developed into a global platform for raising awareness and taking action on urgent issues affecting our planet. This year’s theme is biodiversity, which reminds us that we are intimately connected to all species on this planet. The coronavirus pandemic encourages us to appreciate all the ways that we are dependent on nature and our environment. Here are some ways you can participate this year!

Tags: COVID-19, Conservation

Southface Stands in Solidarity Against Racism

Blog

I am heartbroken by the recent tragic deaths of George Floyd and, closer to home, Ahmaud Arbery, losses that add to incalculable others and underscore a structure of racism in America. As we stand alongside those making their voices heard through leadership and peaceful protests, I feel the gravity of the work to help create equity and equality across our communities more powerfully than ever. The importance of striving for a regenerative future that gives back more than it uses, …

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Global Emissions Have Plunged, but Will They Continue To?

Climate Change

Government shutdowns and economic inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic have caused sharp declines in greenhouse gases. Over 1 billion tons of carbon emissions have already been reduced, and it is projected we will see an overall annual decrease between 4-7%. Although these reductions are remarkable, scientists warn that more structural changes to the energy system need to be made for long-term success.

Tags: COVID-19, Carbon Footprint, Energy Efficiency

Emotional Well-Being and the Built Environment

We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, making it important to understand the emotional benefits of our everyday spaces. Incorporating biophilic design into our buildings engages our senses and allows us to be more mindfully present. Some ways to more successfully support our overall well-being in the built environment include integrating diverse space types, fostering a sensory experience and celebrating the passage of time.

Tags: Biophilia, Interior Design

Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal

Renewable Energy

In April, for the first time, renewable energy from solar, wind and hydropower generated more electricity than coal every day for the entire month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In comparison, renewables beat coal only 38 days in all of 2019. This shift is tied to many reasons, including the economic slowdown from COVID-19.

Tags: COVID-19, Hydropower, Solar, Wind Energy

How Will the Way We Interact With the Built Environment Change?

The threat of COVID-19 poses many new questions and uncertainties about what the future might look like, and the field of engineering and the built environment are no exception. Read this article on how engineers can adapt design approaches to protect the most vulnerable and shape design process to be more resilient in the future.

Tags: COVID-19

Boys & Girls Clubs Come to the Rescue of First Responders

Green Building

Always on the frontline of communities in need, nonprofits are now struggling more than ever to provide for those who depend on them, with competition for donation dollars fierce in the COVID-19 environment. Even so, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, a grantee of Southface’s GoodUse program, immediately saw the need and partnered with other organizations to help first responders and their families by providing urgently needed childcare in the wake of school and daycare closures. Southface Institute …

Tags: Boys and Girls Clubs, COVID-19, Gooduse

Creating a Sustainable Future

Renewable Energy

The future of the global economy remains uncertain due to COVID-19, and like many other industries, the energy sector has been hit hard. As governments refocus on reviving the economy, IRENA just published its first Global Renewables Outlook which draws a connection to advancing renewable-based energy with boosting the economy. By making the energy transition part of the overall recovery, governments can make strides in creating a more resilient future.

Tags: COVID-19

Is Development Without Displacement Possible?

Communities
Events

Challenges like gentrification and rising housing prices have long troubled large cities like Atlanta and created significant inequalities in our communities. Development pressure threatens long-standing communities within those cities, their cultural character and access to affordable housing.

Tags: Equity, Gentrification, Urban Sprawl

COVID-19 Proves That the Economy Can Adapt to Climate Change

Climate Change

Harvard economist, Rebecca Henderson, has spent the last 15 years encouraging companies to prepare for climate change. The coronavirus pandemic is proof that if there is a natural threat to the economy, organizations can change the way they operate. Henderson emphasizes that businesses need to apply the same methods of response to tackle climate change.

Tags: COVID-19