"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Waste Management
02/05/25
“How do we classify the processes for managing waste?”
People produce waste every day. Methods for collecting, transporting, treating, and disposing of waste must be developed. These actions are grouped under the umbrella of Waste Management. If proper waste management is not undertaken, major public health issues can ensue.
Parametric Insurance
02/04/25
“Can we have insurance that only pays out when a certain threshold is reached?”
Insurance usually pays out when a loss is incurred. But a special type of insurance, Parametric Insurance, pays out after reaching a certain threshold. Example parameters for disaster parametric insurance include earthquake magnitude size, wind speed, or flood level.
BREEAM Communities
02/03/25
“How can we certify communities that achieve high sustainability using the BREEAM framework?”
LEED for Cities and Communities allows us to certify places that achieve high sustainability. But this is not the only metric. BREEAM Communities uses the BREEAM framework to evaluate places.
Why U.S. States Will Have to Lead on Climate Change Over the Federal Government for At Least the Next Four Years
02/02/25
“Why will U.S. states have to lead on climate change over the federal government for at least the next four years?”
The new U.S. administration is destroying federal climate initiatives. Whether it be ordering the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take down references to the climate crisis, deleting the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s climate and economic justice screening tool, embracing fossil fuels, and (re)exiting the Paris Agreement, the U.S. Federal Government is relinquishing its role in moving forward on climate. However, States such as California and Massachusetts are fighting back. For at least the next four years, these states must show Americans how to act to stop climate change. This is Why U.S. States Will Have to Lead on Climate Change Over the Federal Government for At Least the Next Four Years.
Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Plans
02/01/25
“How can we create plans to reduce construction activity pollution?”
Construction activity generates pollution through soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust. Construction and development professionals can create Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Plans by considering how to control debris and material generated from construction activity. This is an important component of LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities.
LEED for Communities
01/31/25
“How can we certify communities that achieve high sustainability?”
Places with a governing jurisdiction can apply for LEED for Cities to certify their sustainability. But what about communities without a formal governing body, like a neighborhood or college campus? Well, they can apply for LEED for Communities instead! Leed for Communities can be pivotal for pioneering places to achieve recognition for their sustainability efforts.
UV Air Purifiers
01/30/25
“How can we use UV lighting for air purification?”
HVAC systems often recycle air inside a building. When one person is sick, they can spread their bacteria and germs throughout the ventilation system and make others ill. How can we use our engineering mindset to solve this? Well, we know that UV lights can kill harmful pathogens. What if we were to use UV lighting as in the air filter? This is exactly how UV Air Purifiers work.
Image credit statewideconditioninginc.com
LEED for Cities
01/29/25
“How can we certify cities that achieve high sustainability?”
Buildings that achieve high sustainability can apply for LEED certification. But can cities do the same? Well, cities (or any place with a governmental jurisdiction such as a county or town) can evaluate themselves using LEED for Cities. LEED for cities uses criteria ranging from energy and greenhouse gas emissions to water efficiency to quality of life to quantify a city’s sustainability.
HVAC Supply Subloop
01/28/25
“How can we model the energy supply sections of an HVAC system?”
HVAC systems typically use energy to produce heat. There are components of an HVAC system where energy is supplied, such as chillers or heating coils. We can model these as part of the HVAC Supply Subloop in an HVAC loop system.
Isaac's Science Blog 