The Greenovate Awards recognize climate action leadership and environmental sustainability excellence in the City of Boston. Read this blog series to find out more about this year’s winners in the Climate Preparedness and Resiliency Category.
Although climate change will inevitably shape our city in big ways, our response can make sure it is for the better. We can do that by using climate preparedness and resiliency measures to spur economic development, create jobs, invest in public green space, and improve our air and water quality.
About Climate Action Business Association
Climate Action Business Association (CABA)’s mission is to help solve the climate crisis by organizing local business leaders to be more effective advocates for climate change action within their communities. CABA provides participating businesses with the resources and tools needed to work on climate change and sustainability efforts.
What makes Climate Action Business Association an outstanding leader in creating a green and sustainable future for the City of Boston?
CABA is working with over 60 local business owners to educate them about climate change and help create their individual climate preparedness strategies. CABA is also connecting these business owners among themselves to promote community engagement and spirit of collaboration.
CABA is spearheading its very own Boston Acting on Rising Seas (BARS) campaign for the second time this year. The main goal of the BARS campaign is to get the best available information on climate change resiliency planning and adaptation out to the Massachusetts local business community. The campaign is organized in such a way that the CABA team can engage with businesses that are located in neighborhoods that will be under most threat from the rising sea levels. Last year, CABA was able to reach over 250 businesses with their outreach program about climate preparedness. This year, CABA is planning to reach out to and educate 500 businesses in Massachusetts, in Boston, Cambridge, Scituate, Glocester, Revere, and on the Cape.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY, FENWAY/KENMORE
About Boston University
Sustainability at Boston University is broad in scope, with a mission to integrate sustainability into the culture and structure of the institution. Initiatives are focused on reducing the University’s environmental and climate impacts, while preparing its campuses for the effects of climate change. Sustainability@BU supports the efforts of the University, effecting change on campus and supporting the integration of sustainability into existing programs from education and research, to planning and operations.
What makes Boston University an outstanding leader in creating a green and sustainable future for the City of Boston?
In 2014, Boston University completed a vulnerability assessment for its two Boston campuses, exploring three climate change impacts: rising seas, stronger storms, and higher temperatures. The report provides an inventory identifying BU buildings that will be effected at five flooding depths based on GIS modeling the University conducted. These GIS data expand upon the 2013 report Preparing for the Rising Tide by The Boston Harbor Association.
BU’s 2014 assessment includes recommendations on all three climate impacts to begin planning now for 2030, 2050, 2070, and 2100. An example of these recommendations is the Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering, a new research facility currently under construction. The research program and site lent itself to a facility that could be designed without a basement. The primary electrical and mechanical equipment has been raised up to the second and third floors, keeping them out of harm’s way, and reserved the upper stories of the building for research faculty and student use.
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