Until this summer, there was no reason to know what “batophobia” was. Now, unfortunately, we must. Batophobia is the fear that the building you are in will crumble and you will be trapped in the rubble. With the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside — and the nearly 100 people it killed — we all now have a legitimate reason to worry the floor will fall from beneath us.
That’s America’s reality. Our buildings, lacking adequate integrity and resilience, are not ready for rising temperatures and severe weather. The heartbreaking collapse in Surfside could and should have been avoided. Unless we change track, we’ll say the same thing about the next building collapse.
While discourse varies on the extent to which climate change contributed to the condo collapse, it’s indisputable that rising temperatures will shrink buildings’ lifespans. Tomorrow’s buildings must be able to withstand a new, more turbulent climate. Mitigation and emissions reduction also must be integral for both building new and restoring old buildings. This is particularly important for structures on the front lines of Mother Nature’s wrath.
Forty years ago, builders didn’t factor climate change impacts into construction, and how that would shorten the lives of those using the buildings. We’re seeing the effects of this neglect in the very area surrounding Surfside, as coastline homeowners face erosion, and by effect, lower-income residents face climate displacement and gentrification in landlocked neighborhoods.
Environmentally resilient buildings protect the people inside them and around them. Strong structures withstand the test of time, requiring less maintenance. Buildings considered “green” (fitting with current environmental standards and codes) provide a better quality of life for the people working and living in them, with natural light, modern amenities, and wellness benefits. At the most basic level, good construction with environmental considerations keeps people safe.
Even those motivated by money over altruism benefit from the green building movement. Sustainable structures have huge economic benefits. Well-constructed buildings withstand the elements, mitigating the need for taxpayer-funded disaster relief when the worst occurs.
Construction of new green buildings and rehabbing of old ones to fit green standards creates jobs of all skillsets. An intelligently designed office space or apartment building brings new residents and revenue to town. New faces mean more new support for small businesses and public transportation. Revitalizing old buildings for a greener future breathes new life into blighted or outdated properties, making them profitable for the community again.
The green buildings of today present an even more exciting opportunity to not only withstand climate change but serve as deterrents against it. Buildings that go “beyond zero” have a negative carbon impact. Meaning, they actively create clean energy or take harmful emissions out of the atmosphere, reversing the effects of climate change.
Modern buildings can generate power as they use it, with solar panels and other forms of alternative energy. So, while they may look like buildings just “sitting there”, they’re not only prepared for natural disasters but play an active role in preventing future disasters from occurring.
The good news is we’re starting to see more of a focus on the built environment from a policy level. Energy-efficiency standards for buildings are included in the American Jobs Plan. The Department of Energy recently announced new energy codes for buildings. COP 26 added a full day to its 2021 agenda on decarbonizing the built environment. More can and should be done.
As the healing process begins following this tragedy, we must look to make our buildings better. As CEO and president of the U.S. Green Building Council and creator of the LEED certification program, I’m pushing for a proactive, forward-thinking approach. It’s the right philosophy, and one that could have prevented the tragedy at Surfside.
It will help us leave behind our newfound batophobia.
Mahesh Ramanujam is president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, the creators of the LEED green building system.
