When the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire, I called up a researcher who studies fire risk in structures. He told me about how years of neglect, ongoing renovations, and age contributed to the fire that destroyed much of the cathedral’s roof. Our excellent graphic designed Javier Zarracina also whipped up some excellent visuals of the structure.
Do more with less
With the Clean Power Plan on hold, the Obama Administration is pushing on other fronts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most important strategies is increasing energy efficiency, especially in retrofitting buildings with better compressors and tighter insulation. Buildings consume about 40 percent of energy in the United States and the majority of structures standing today will still be around for decades.