On September 20, 2019 Mahlum staff in Portland and Seattle took part in the School Strike for Climate in support of over 4 million students and adults across the world demanding immediate and transformative climate action. While wet weather in Portland threatened to dampen the crowd, both cities saw record numbers of climate strikers contributing to the worldwide demand for immediate action. Students of all ages challenged adults to recognize the urgent climate crisis and act now to ensure that they have a just and livable future on this planet. Speeches and protest signs clearly communicated the fear and anger this generation harbors, unsure what their lives will be like after the year 2050. There was also optimism that the collective strength of our next generations can lead this change.

So how are we, as adults, professionals and government leaders going to respond? Estimates show that to meet our drawdown targets and avoid a global warming tipping point, we need to more aggressively reduce our carbon emissions in all aspects of our economy and we understand that the building industry is responsible for 30-50% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions on planet earth. This means that architectural practices worldwide have a huge opportunity to positively impact the direction of this crisis. It is our responsibility to leverage the technology and systems that already exist to bring our carbon footprint to zero by 2030 or sooner.

Thank you to all the brave and inspiring youth who are coming forward to demand action to sustain a just and livable planet. It’s our opportunity to listen to the next generation and ACT NOW.

To learn more about the local impact to Washington State, see No Time to Waste, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC and Implications for Washington State.

To learn more about the local impact to Oregon, the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute has published its Fourth Oregon Climate Assessment Report.

by Anne Schopf

“Our house is on fire — let’s act like it.” 
– Greta Thunberg

Mahlum Architects will join Greta Thunberg in a “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (“School Strike for the Climate”), a Global Climate Strike demanding an end to the age of fossil fuels. On September 20, millions of us will walk out of our workplaces, schools, and homes to join Thunberg and other student activists across the world who are demanding immediate action in addressing the Climate Crisis.

With offices in both Seattle and Portland, Mahlum will support our staff in joining the marches to City Hall in each of our cities. There are multiple events throughout the day in cities across the world. More information and the full listing of activities can be found here: https://globalclimatestrike.net/

We encourage you to join us in this simple yet powerful way to put pressure on our elected officials to approve new legislation that moves us closer to a carbon free economy.

Architects throughout the country are recognizing the impact the building industry has on climate. On Sept. 5, 2019, The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Board of Directors approved a landmark resolution, championed by AIA members, that defines immediate and long-term efforts to engage the architectural profession in the fight against climate change. The approved resolution sets into motion a prioritization of, and immediate support for, urgent climate action to exponentially accelerate the “decarbonization” of buildings.

“This is a defining moment for the Institute,” said 2019 AIA President Bill Bates, FAIA. “We are making this our top priority in order to address the crisis our communities face. Moving the needle on this critical issue—that threatens the future of our planet and humanity—requires our firm commitment to achieving carbon neutral goals in the built environment and our immediate action. It’s imperative that the industry acts today.”

Mahlum invites you to Stand With Us on September 20th for urgent Climate Action.