Habitable

On Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the wisdom that has sustained our planet for millennia. ?? At Habitable, we're inspired by Indigenous communities' deep connection to the Earth. Their teachings remind us that true prosperity and environmental harmony can—and must—coexist. As we face global challenges, we're committed to amplifying Indigenous voices and integrating their invaluable knowledge into our work. Together, we can forge a path to a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Join us in honoring Indigenous wisdom and building a world where both people and the planet thrive. ?? "Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.” ―?Robin Wall Kimmerer,?Braiding Sweetgrass #IndigenousPeoplesDay #Sustainability #EnvironmentalJustice

??? At Habitable, we believe that every child deserves a healthy start. As we celebrate #ChildrensEnvironmentalHealthDay, we're reminded of our bold mission to create science-based solutions that eliminate pollution, mitigate climate change, and foster a more equitable future--for ALL children, everywhere. Children are the dreamers, innovators, and leaders of tomorrow. Let's work together to gift them a vibrant, healthy planet where they can thrive and grow.??? #HealthyFuture #SustainableInnovation #Habitable

What a great day for affordable housing!??? ?? Thank you to everyone who attended our Minnesota workshop last week. We had an incredible time convening local leaders to hear from Danny Desjarlais about the Lower Sioux Indian Community's #hempcrete innovations. Attendees rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with Habitable's Informed? product guidance, charting a roadmap to healthier building products. A heartfelt thanks to our brilliant partners and presenters who made this event a catalyst for change: Richard Graves, FAIA Chris Herndon, MBA NEOO Partners Inc. Kevin Walker LHB, Inc. Riverton Community Housing MSR Design Mary Novak Rhys MacPherson Michelle Baltus Pribyl Your expertise and passion lit up the room!??? ?? Together, we're not just building houses but healthier, more sustainable communities. Let's keep the momentum going! #AffordableHousing #SustainableBuilding #MinnesotaInnovation

"The final piece of this is to show the solutions, that solving the climate boundary is no longer fantasy or utopia...Technologies are available and they are scalable." We hear you Johan Rockstr?m! Loving this post from the World Economic Forum: solutions that can reduce climate impacts are available *today.* ?? Part of our work at Habitable is innovating solutions to reduce harms caused by the built environment. Our Informed product guidance is one solution that practitioners can use today to prioritize human and planetary health. ?? Learn more: https://bit.ly/3zB2gJ7

Annnnndddd, that's a wrap! ?? What an incredible time at #ClimateWeek2024 - so thankful for energizing conversations with built environment leaders about the sector's role in influencing climate outcomes. We look forward to working with new and existing partners to further this work.??? #BetterTogether Gina Ciganik Priya Premchandran Bill Walsh Stacy Glass Safer Chemistry Impact Fund Sydney Mainster The Durst Organization Jonathan F.P. Rose Lauren Zullo Jonathan Rose Companies Sheena Zhang Autodesk Bethanie Carney Almroth Krista Egger Enterprise Community Partners Rachel Hodgdon International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) Sarah Doll Kizzy Charles-Guzman Center for Environmental Health

For years, Habitable has researched and reported on the toxic impacts of vinyl chloride on human health and our environment. The Ohio rail disaster brought attention to the dangers of vinyl chloride, but its use in everyday products still continues. As consumers and professionals in the built environment, WE have the power to advocate for safer alternatives. ??? ??? ??? Sign Toxic-Free Future's petition to ban #PoisonPlastic - link below!

??? New Podcast Alert - Tools for a Habitable Future: Rethinking the Materials Economy ??? ?? https://bit.ly/3z9AAum The AEC industry's impact extends far beyond buildings. Every decision we make affects our lives, health, and the world. Join Positive Energy host Kristof Irwin, P.E. and Habitable CEO Gina Ciganik as they explore: -- Shifting the materials economy to protect people and the planet -- Habitable's Informed approach - a simple red, yellow, green ranking system that simplifies material decisions Shocking facts: -- An estimated 58% of ocean microplastics come from paint! -- Annual carpet waste in the U.S. outweighs all single-use bags, straws, and water bottles combined Ready to revolutionize your approach to materials? Listen now to start making informed choices for a healthier planet! #SustainableAEC #MaterialsEconomy #HealthyBuildings #Podcast How do you think we can reimagine the materials economy? Share your thoughts below! ??

"An exciting, beautiful innovation in flooring technology...linoleum was once the stuff of dreams." ? If you're looking for a healthier alternative to LVT, look no further than linoleum because--according to Vox--it's cool, actually. https://bit.ly/4dPIYOK ?? Learn about linoleum's fascinating history in this video, and check out its material health ranking in our flooring product guidance: https://bit.ly/3YWTyyR

The Lower Sioux Community is building with hemp - and we got to see how! The Habitable team had a great time touring the Lower Sioux Community's hempcrete facility in southwest MN to learn how this plant- and mineral-based material is being used to insulate homes and drive economic development for tribal members. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XpBEUw #GreenBuilding #HempcreteHousing #SustainbleInsulation

Companies have made strides in carbon reduction, but chemical hazard reduction has lagged behind. Why? As the saying goes: "You can't manage what you can't measure." ?? The Safer Chemistry Impact Fund's inaugural report addresses this challenge head-on. Key takeaways include: -- Standardized approach to measure progress towards safer chemistry -- "Metric Zero" baseline characterizing chemicals in major sectors -- 5 key metrics tracking data quality, innovation, and adoption This science-based, data-driven approach shows that chemical hazards are knowable and manageable - and it's a crucial step towards aligning our use of chemicals with planetary boundaries and fostering healthier life on Earth. ?? ?? Congrats to the SCI Fund and all stakeholders involved in this vital work! ???? Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3MjJUio #SaferChemistry #PlanetaryHealth #Sustainability