December 22, 2014
By Gretchen Waddell Barwick, MO Chapter Staff
Greenhouse gasses from human activities are the most significant driver of climate change. In the Midwest, heat waves are becoming more frequent and our winters are becoming milder – we know climate change is real and is already happening. The consequences of climate change affect our lives in very intimate ways including access to water, natural disaster and health problems.
This needs to stop. In the US, buildings account for 46.9% of greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting the current standard in energy efficiency building codes (IECC 2015), most communities in Missouri would see as much as a 40% increase in their energy efficiency—that is a significant reduction in greenhouse gasses!
Energy Efficiency profits our environment, our wallets and our health. When cities invest in energy efficiency, benefits include: the creation of local jobs, reducing energy costs for families and reducing health costs from respiratory disease such as asthma and allergies.
We know Sierra Club members care about this issue. In Columbia and University City 43 members and supporters joined together and convinced local leaders to adopt the then current codes standard (IECC 2012). Among those standing up for our future were: Carolyn Amparan, Terry Ganey, Andrew Linhares, Herbert Tillema, Bob Elgin, Neville Rapp, Carolyn Pufault, Jessica Freiberger, Harry Alper and Janet Cuenca. Thank you for your dedication!
Thanks to these Sierra Club members, Columbia adopted the 2012 IECC Codes in September of 2013 and University City adopted the 2012 IECC Codes in October of 2013.
Despite these successes, some Missouri jurisdictions are lagging. St. Louis County and St. Louis City are still using building codes from 2009. Springfield is using energy efficiency building codes from 2006 and in Independence there are no energy efficiency building codes at all. Now is the time to make a change. The future of our communities depends on it.
To learn more about building codes and how you can help, contact Michael Berg at (314) 644-1011 or by email at mo-michael@sierraclub.org.