Southface Institute: Blog

Nonprofit Partnerships Provide Safe Outdoor Spaces And Green Education Opportunities

Blog

Since its inception, Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center has believed in the power of outdoor education. Now, with workforce help from green|spaces and grant funding through Southface’s GoodUse program, the center aims to be a safe haven for students throughout COVID-19 and beyond. Thanks to a partnership with green|spaces and grant funding from The Lyndhurst Foundation and Southface, the Nature Center was already on its way to becoming more energy efficient and environmentally friendly prior to 2020’s unexpected quarantine, said …

Tags: Gooduse

Tracking Global Carbon Emissions in Real-Time

Climate Change
Green Technology

Tackling the problem of climate change has been a difficult task because carbon emission data is collected after the fact, not as it happens. Climate TRACE, an initiative led by Watt Time and supported by former Vice President Al Gore, aims to track pollution in real-time so researchers can see exactly where it comes from.

Tags: Carbon Footprint, carbon, pollution

Reduce Energy Burden with Rooftop Solar

Policy
Renewable Energy

Rooftop solar is one clean-energy solution that can help address the energy burden in low-income areas and communities of color. Research shows that most solar panels are found in majority-white communities, so even as solar use increases, not all communities can reap the cost-saving benefits on their energy bills.

Tags: Solar

Georgia Audubon Installs Bird-Friendly Film at Southface Institute

Blog

(ATLANTA, GA.) August 12, 2020 – Visitors to Southface Institute on Pine Street may notice some new, tiny dots adorning the glass on the building. These dots are special window treatments designed to prevent birds from flying into the windows, an all too common problem. The project was made possible thanks to a partnership between Southface and Georgia Audubon, with a grant from the Disney Conservation Fund.

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Creating a Regenerative South

Events

Just as the upheaval of this year’s pandemic and social unrest is reshaping so much of our social and civic life, it also set the tone for Southface Institute’s 2020 Greenprints conference, which took place for the first time completely online August 6. A gathering of architects, engineers, developers, academics and top sustainability professionals, from Georgia and beyond, Greenprints took on this year’s challenges at the nexus of the built environment, health and equity and how they relate to the …

Tags: AEC professionals, Andrea Pinabell, Greenprints

The Product Lifespan in a Circular Economy

Regenerative Design

The lifespan of a product is often driven by short-term business choices, not by production abilities. From a business standpoint, it may make sense to design products that are cheap and replaceable, but this approach hinders the development of a sustainable future.

Tags: Circular Economy

Building Sustainably for Gen Z

Green Building

Each new generation brings new trends. Studies show that members of Generation Z (those born after 1997) are more concerned with environmental issues than previous generations. As they enter the housing market, Gen Zers are making sustainable amenities a top priority, despite possible cost increases.

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Social Moves to the Forefront of ESG

When thinking about sustainability, people often refer to the environmental aspect. This is also true when thinking about the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors used to evaluate companies’ sustainability efforts.

Tags: COVID-19, Corporate Social Responsibility

Growing Number of Chief Sustainability Officers

Having a chief sustainability officer has shifted from a want to a necessity. As the view of sustainability continues to evolve, so do the responsibilities of people in this role. It has evolved from an environmental focus to helping companies also think about the economic and social implications of their decisions.

Tags: Jobs and Careers