Category: Policy

When I first got interested in sustainability, one of the simplest and most empowering definitions I ran across was from the Brundtland Commission Report, “Our Common Future,” published in 1987. The full report is available on-line. The definition reads:”Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Found in Chapter 2 of the report.)

I am thrilled to see that my alma mater, University of Virginia School of Architecture, is bestowing the University’s highest honor on the commission’s chairwoman, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland. As part of the award ceremonies for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture, she will speak on the campus on Friday, April 11, at 3:00p.m.

Her bio is impressive. She has long been a world leader in sustainable development and health, and was the youngest and first woman prime minister of Norway. The University of Virginia’s press release has a good overview.

It is striking that the ideas and recommendations contained in “Our Common Future” are just as relevant today as they were - twenty! - years ago. They were truly ahead of their time, although leading scientists and experts knew then what the rest of us are only now waking up to. Rather than fret about “it’s too late,” we should all re-read this powerful document and renew our commitment to doing what we can.

It’s full of thoughts like these (remember - written twenty years ago!): Continued

It was a thrill to vote for Barack Obama on Tuesday during the (I prefer to call it) Chesapeake Primary.

I came to my decision about Obama suddenly and with absolute clarity about a month ago, after reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s wonderful book about Lincoln and his cabinet, “Team of Rivals.” I was so inspired by Lincoln’s example of brilliant, strategic, and compassionate leadership. The man reached out to his rivals, knowing that they were critical to the work that lay ahead. He readily gave others credit and always took responsibility for anything that went wrong. Because he cared so profoundly about this country, he was unremitting in his drive to prove that self-governance is not an absurdity. He had an easy way with people, was a great storyteller, and could relate in a genuine way to any person.

I know it sounds crazy, but - Lincoln was from Illinois (didn’t quite make Senator), was considered an underdog, and initially underestimated by many. Sound familiar? Just to test my theory, I also read “Dreams From My Father,” Barack Obama’s fascinating memoir of his childhood and early adulthood. He tells of his search for identity and meaning with great candor - Continued

“The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.” They seek to educate and mobilize local citizens in a way that encourages a swift societal switch to clean energy and energy-efficient products.

As a long-time member of the green building community here in Maryland, I am joyous to read articles like this one in today’s Baltimore Sun. Timothy Wheeler writes about proposed legislation that would require state buildings to be energy- and resource-efficient. While recent years have been challenging at best for green building legislation, the support of Governor O’Malley will help tremendously. Even though the state is facing fiscal woes, the long-term financial savings of energy efficiency alone should be attractive to most lawmakers. I recently participated in the Maryland Green Building Task Force, which recommended policy initiatives to encourage private green development. The Green Building Council is responsible for policy related to state-owned properties.

Megaphone Project is a non-profit organization that “produces low-cost documentaries that amplify voices for social and economic justice in Maryland.” They specialize in making “short, inexpensive, issue-based productions for advocates to show to community members, decision makers, and opinion leaders as part of organized campaigns for change.” Their productions have “helped advocate for reform in the criminal justice system, public housing, predatory lending, real estate development, public transit, and day labor.”