aps
According to the World Green Building Council, “cities account for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, consume 60% of resources and generate 50% of waste. An urgent response to climate change and it’s impact on humanity requires efforts by stakeholders across borders and sectors to accelerate a human- and eco-centric response to environmental solutions.”
Services include:
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- green infrastructure planning
- collaborative partnerships
- program development support
- community engagement
- marketing support
- project management
- placemaking strategies
Community – Human Focused Solutions
The need to improve environmental equity and resilience within our communities is vital. It requires a wholistic perspective and strategic planning focus on increasing equitable access to resources while addressing problems related to climate change. Our goal is to provide consulting and project support to organizations actively addressing issues around environmental and climate justice.
A focus on placemaking and green infrastructure are aspects of this wholistic approach. For instance, the absence of greenery combined with the prevalence of heat-absorbing materials creates heat islands, where temperatures can reach up to 7 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding non-urban areas. Higher temperatures, in turn, lead to higher levels of energy required for air-conditioning and higher GHG emissions overall.*
Adding placemaking in community design and development serves in “creating public spaces that people love and feel connected to. It is a growing global movement that aims to improve not only the physical elements of a space, but also the way people think and feel about the world around them.” – Placemaking Education
Climate incidents affect communities that face systematic inequities such as quality housing and public services, affordable energy, reliable transportation, and access to quality healthcare. Heat, for instance, affects health and quality of life, local economic activity, energy and water use, wildlife, vegetation and landscaping, infrastructure, and agriculture. These negative consequences disproportionately affect communities of color denying them climate and environmental equity.
