It's the today times.

Welcome to Climate Positive and welcome to the "ber months"! If you are here to doom scroll, you're in the wrong place. This newsletter pulls together top headlines supporting a narrative that climate action is actually happening and making a real difference.?

When we talk about solutions to the biggest climate problems and set deadlines for 2030 and 2050 to meet climate goals, it often feels like we’re discussing innovations that are years or even decades away. The reality is we don’t have to look that far to peak into the future. In this week's issue, we look at "today times" examples of ways the world is already evolving to a post-climate-crisis era, from buildings built to cool themselves, to car-free events, to identifying new renewable energy sources like waste heat, to building built for non-human species. ?

Passive design.

Have you heard of "passive design"? As highlighted by a recent AP story, passive design focuses on using a building’s structure and surrounding environment to regulate temperature naturally. By tapping into natural elements like sunlight, wind, and insulation,?buildings using passive design can maintain comfortable temperatures without relying on external energy sources, reducing the demand for fossil fuels. For example, passive design strategically places windows in order to capture sunlight in colder months and block heat during warmer periods, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems.? In Germany, passive houses have already proven successful in cutting energy usage by up to 90%. Countries like Australia and the U.S. are also beginning to adopt these principles for both new builds and renovations.

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Every Event is Sustainable.

Music festivals aren’t often seen as beacons of sustainability as they produce enormous amounts of waste and pollution, but step into the today times with me. A recent piece in The Guardian reported on how the band Massive Attack?is using renewable energy sources to power live events, promoting public transportation and using electric vehicles for event logistics, eliminating single-use plastics and promoting reusable materials. Additionally, Massive Attack is funding research to better understand the carbon footprint of the music industry, which could lead to broader, systemic changes. These efforts serve as a model for other artists and industries, proving that climate action is possible now and can create a significant positive impact on the environment even in energy-intensive industries like entertainment.?

A Ban on Cars.

While an F1 race is an unlikely place for a sustainable transport revolution, this post from Chris Bruntlett at the Dutch Cycling Embassy speaks to the surprising effectiveness of the Dutch Grand Prix’s ambitious climate policy. In 2019, its organizers announced the goal of going car-free, and encouraging spectators to walk, ride or bike to the event. Given the coastal setting, planners were worried fans would hesitate to cycle long distances in wind and rain. When the event’s 110,000 daily attendees were prohibited from arriving by car, 98% of fans traveled by foot, bike or public transport. The success inspired the Paris Olympic Organizing Committee to visit the site in Zandvoort in 2023 to investigate how they could apply this aspirational model during the 2024 Games.

Repurposing Waste Heat.

I'm seeing more and more discussion around capturing waste heat and repurposing it as a renewable energy source. Vancouver is one city where this is already happening. Super.cool reports on the city’s sewer heat recovery system, which captures waste heat from wastewater and repurposes it to warm homes and buildings. The system also helps reduce the strain on the city’s power grid, particularly during colder months, by providing a renewable energy source that operates consistently. Furthermore, the system contributes to Vancouver’s goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2050, setting an example for how cities can rethink energy use in innovative ways. Beyond heating, it also underscores how cities can integrate circular systems that recycle energy and increase energy efficiency, contributing to long-term urban sustainability.?This approach could be replicated in other cities, making it a scalable model for reducing urban carbon footprints.

Non-Human Design.

The built environment is made to prioritize human needs, but what about the other species that share our planet? A recent ArchDaily story explores how universities, architects, farms and more are designing structures for non-human species -- and reporting the positive climate impacts such as biodiversity and enhanced ecosystems.

The piece notes that by creating habitats for wildlife, such as birds, insects, and bats, design is helping maintain natural ecosystems that play a critical role in regulating the climate. For instance, incorporating green roofs and vertical gardens provides food and shelter for pollinators, which are essential for healthy ecosystems and agriculture. This integration of the natural world into urban areas also helps with carbon sequestration, cooling, and improved air quality. Designing spaces that support non-human species also contributes to reducing urban heat islands, where cities become significantly hotter due to dense infrastructure. Additionally, by supporting local biodiversity, these projects enhance the resilience of ecosystems to climate changes and disruptions. Architects are also exploring materials and structures that mimic natural systems, creating buildings that are more energy-efficient and aligned with sustainable practices, making cities more climate-resilient and nature-friendly.?Super cool.

?That's it for this week. Please do share any positive news/stories you see that would be a fit. The more positivity and awareness we can build around progress, the more action we can inspire through hope. Like and follow if you'd like to see more. And if you'd like my team to help tell your positive climate story, ping me at [email protected].???

See you next week with more climate-positive stories. Until then, let’s keep the momentum going!?

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