Buildings

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a weather-damaged home with a "For Sale" sign, illustrating the impact of rising insurance costs and climate-related property devaluation

The Great American Insurance Retreat: Climate Change, Uninsurable Homes, & The Future Of Real Estate

The United States insurance industry is in crisis. And if you’re a homeowner or business owner in certain parts of the country, your ability to get coverage — let alone afford it — may soon disappear entirely. This isn’t some far-off projection for the 2040s. It’s happening now. From 2017 … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic cartoon image of an inefficient hydrogen for energy cityscape, with hydrogen-powered cars, heaters, pipelines, and visible waste and emissions throughout the scene.

Cranky Stepdad vs Hydrogen For Energy: How To Respond To Enthusiasts

Hydrogen for energy has been the subject of extravagant claims for decades, and they keep being repeated. When you run into a hydrogen for energy enthusiast and they start saying things that make it seem as if hydrogen for energy is a slam dunk, have a look through this. Some … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of an electric cement truck covered in circuitry delivering cement to a construction site.

Cement Decarbonization Policy Makers Need To Understand All Levers

The global cement industry, long recognized as a backbone of infrastructure development, faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Responsible for approximately 7–8% of global carbon emissions, cement production is one of the most carbon-intensive industrial processes. Yet, as climate policies tighten and innovation accelerates, the industry stands at … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image illustrates the metaphorical concept of a heat pump's significant impact compared to building efficiency, depicted through the contrast in size between a large, advanced heat pump and smaller buildings.

Want To Help The US Government Become More Productive? Increase Appliance And Building Efficiency

With climate change becoming an ever-pressing issue, the demand for building efficiency has taken on new meaning. A global emphasis on sustainability had dominated the building industry in recent years, and a green building focus seemed to be the norm for new construction. But then the Trumpsters, with Project 2025 … [continued]

ChatGPT generated image of panoramic image of a Los Angeles canyon filled with homes and a big question mark hovering overhead

Los Angeles’ $150 Billion Fires Have Lessons For All Urban Planners

The United States, and indeed much of the rest of the world, has been transfixed by the devastation in Los Angeles over the past week. As of January 12, 2025, multiple wildfires are still burning across the Los Angeles area, consuming around 40,000 acres or 62.5 square miles. At least … [continued]