Designing and Modifying Our Buildings to Reduce Climate Change

Designing and Modifying Our Buildings to Reduce Climate Change

Perhaps you already know that buildings account for more than a quarter of Washington State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, up 50% since 1990.  To meet our state’s GHG reduction goals, we need to change our energy systems significantly.  This will require, in part, using less energy more efficiently and switching to electricity for heat sources.

To learn more about what we, individually and collectively, must do, ECAM invites you to attend the April 20 meeting of 350/Eastside.  Court Olson, former East Shore member, will be the featured speaker at this event followed by Q & A and discussion. He served as project manger for East Shore’s last capital building project when the sanctuary got a new electrical heating system and other energy efficiencies.

Court has been a tireless advocate for green building.  Trained in civil engineering and construction management, he has spent decades designing, constructing and advocating for clean buildings.  A LEED Accredited professional, he has played key roles in passing WA State legislation requiring to upgrade State Energy codes every three years.  He has also led grass-roots efforts to educate and pressure local governments here in Washington state to address climate change (People for Climate Action, Shift Zero, NW Energy Coalition, Cascadia Green Building Council among others).

Having recently overseen the design and construction of the deep energy efficiency and electrification of his own residence in Bellevue, he is prepared to talk about both residential and commercial changes necessary to address climate change.  We can all learn a lot from Court!