Signature Series is Designed to Educate Public on Innovative Climate Action Initiatives and Drive Substantive Action in the Building Industry to Mitigate Climate Change
// Key Topics Include Carbon Emissions Reduction, Urban Regeneration, Adaptive Reuse, Rainwater Recapture and Decarbonized Development //
On November 16, The National Building Museum will launch a new signature program series, Climate ABC (Action/Building/Community). The series will focus on three essential aspects to addressing climate change: Actions by individuals, businesses, nonprofits, policy makers, and civic entities; examples of Building, both physical structures and landscapes, as well as coalitions of stakeholders; and Communities at every scale that are working to reduce carbon emissions. This new program series will offer dynamic programs designed both to educate the public about climate action, and to drive for substantive solutions in the building industries to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
As a primary driver of global warming, carbon emissions impact everything from the future of coastal cities to the record flooding that threatens communities across the country and around the world. At the onset of a decade that may determine the future of our planet, the built environment is responsible for nearly 40% of carbon emissions worldwide. The Museum recognizes the critical role the building industries can and must have in addressing climate change — and is committed to offering programs that educate and empower innovative and positive action.
The program goal is to promote a spectrum of solutions to support environmentally safe, healthy and resilient residential neighborhoods and business districts across the country and around the world. With Climate ABC, the Museum seeks to raise awareness about how the built environment impacts the quality of our lives and communities, and how rapidly evolving industry practices can contribute to a sustainable future. The ongoing series will highlight innovative new technologies and best practices from around the world being implemented by communities, governments, nonprofits, and businesses, to accelerate climate solutions. These public programs will be paired with smaller Round Table forums designed for more targeted B2B discussions and problem-solving. Offered live online, the programs will address key topics that can positively influence climate change — including urban regeneration, adaptive re-use, decarbonized development, and rainwater recapture. Together, these public programs and industry Round Tables will serve as an incubator to guide policymaking, sustainable development standards, and community action. Engagement priorities include appealing to a broad audience, including students and young climate activists.
As part of the November 16 initiative launch, the National Building Museum will present the signature series’ inaugural public program, “Reinventing Cities”, presented in partnership with C40 Cities — a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. Beginning at 11 AM EST, this program will discuss how the organization’s Reinventing Cities initiative seeks to transform underutilized sites around the world through sustainable and community-focused building projects to drive decarbonized and resilient urban regeneration. Two timely case studies of sustainable future developments in Chicago and Paris will be explored as part of this event — Assemble Chicago, Chicago’s first zero-carbon apartment building, and Porte de Montreuil, the first net zero-carbon neighborhood in Paris. Assemble Chicago will be presented by the Chicago-based architectural firm Studio Gang, and Porte de Montreuil will be presented by its architect, Paris-based Atelier Georges. This conversation will be moderated by Susan Piedmont-Palladino, architect and director of the Virginia Tech’s Washington Alexandria Architecture Center. She is joined by Thorsten Johann with Studio Gang, and Yvan Okotnikoff and Aurelien Delchet with Atelier Georges. These projects will provide real-time examples of ground-breaking developments that are designed to meet the urgency of building industry climate action. One week later, on November 23, the Museum will host its first Climate ABC Round Table discussion on the topic for an exclusive corporate audience.
Climate ABC programming is offered to advance the Museum’s mission to inspire curiosity and understanding of the built environment and its impact on our lives and communities. The program joins the upcoming exhibition and story-telling experience The Wall/El Muro, opening November 6, about the US-Mexico border, the evocative resident installation Gun Violence Memorial Project, as well as the traveling exhibition Evicted in offering visitors opportunities to engage and reflect on critical issues facing the nation through the Museum’s unique lens.
“The National Building Museum’s mission is to educate and engage people about the built environment and its impact on lives and communities,” stated Aileen Fuchs, the Museum’s President and Executive Director. “The Museum, with its deep network and reputation in the building industries, is in a unique position to convene international thought-leaders and host critical conversations that inspired Climate ABC. We hope to connect the public with this ground-breaking new initiative and to challenge our industry constituents to engage and collaboratively problem solve.”
Climate ABC is made possible, in part, by the generous support of Holcim, Ltd., the global leader in building materials and solutions. “Holcim is pleased to join the National Building Museum as the Lead Sponsor of Climate ABC,” said Josep Maset, VP Strategy and Commercial Excellence, Holcim in the US. “We believe this series will provide an effective platform to educate the public and raise awareness about the importance and urgency to combat climate change. The format also offers a working forum to develop and share specific and actionable solutions to reduce carbon emissions and build in a sustainable way.”
Holcim’s program sponsorship is part of their broader research and development efforts to introduce and promote high-quality and sustainable building materials and solutions to its customers worldwide. The company signed a net zero pledge with science based targets and also champions key sustainability best practices — including enabling smart design to build more with less as well as doubling the amount of materials it will recycle to 100 million tons by 2030.
Tickets to the live online Reinventing Cities program November 16 are available here and students are invited to attend for free. Full program recordings are accessible to the public free of charge on the Museum website — nbm.org — 10 days following the live presentation. To inquire about program sponsorship opportunities and participate in corporate Round Tables, please contact CapitalSociety@nbm.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Baratz, karen@baratzpr.com, 240-497-1811
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM
The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. We believe that understanding the impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design is important for everyone. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events, we welcome visitors of all ages to experience stories about the built world and its power to shape our lives, our communities, and our futures. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448, info@nbm.org, or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.