Imagine where homelessness is tackled as a public health crisis, not a moral failing, and by the end of the decade, there are enough public homes that nobody goes without.
Where our aging stock of homes are retrofitted to replace failing or toxic components, modernized for better energy efficiency, and upgraded for resilience to climate disasters.
Welcome to our vision of a Green New Deal for Buildings and Housing.
Across America, the cost of housing is skyrocketing. In cities and towns alike, the dream of homeownership or even a secure rental is becoming increasingly elusive. It doesn't have to be this way. Under a Green New Deal, we'd prioritize the construction of new public housing that is affordable and rent-controlled.
Each new housing unit would be built to high environmental standards, eliminating toxic building material, reducing carbon emissions, and incorporating renewable energy sources. Think solar panels embedded in the roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and walls insulated to reduce the need for artificial heating or cooling.
And these new homes wouldn't be isolated on the fringes of cities, necessitating long, carbon-emitting commutes. Instead, they'd be built near convenient mass transit options, reducing our reliance on cars and freeing up millions of square miles of parking lots to be replaced with green community spaces.
Our children are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but they are also the custodians of the planet we'll pass on to them. So, isn't it only fair that the buildings they spend most of their time in reflect the sustainable principles we hope they will champion?
As part of the Green New Deal, we need to decarbonize our school buildings. This could mean installing solar panels on rooftops, implementing geothermal heating systems, and making sure each building is energy-efficient, from the classroom to the cafeteria.
Imagine the learning opportunities such initiatives would provide — students could monitor energy generation, calculate savings, and see first-hand the tangible impact of sustainable practices. Through this, they'd learn that sustainability isn't just a lofty ideal, but a practical, achievable goal.
Libraries, post offices, courthouses — these buildings are the backbone of our communities. They should also be at the forefront of our transition to a greener future.
With the Green New Deal, these buildings would be retrofitted to become paragons of energy efficiency, utilizing renewable energy sources, and serving as benchmarks for other establishments. Imagine walking into a library where the books are illuminated by energy-efficient LED lights powered by solar panels on the roof, or going to a post office heated by a geothermal system.
Researchers, administrators, and public health officials — government employees provide crucial services that contribute to public health and well being. These services become even more crucial during crises when communities need deeper support, such as during COVID-19 when the federal government invested in recruiting medical professionals to serve underserved communities. As our government evolves to provide more resources, services, and funding into our communities, the federal workforce will also expand alongside infrastructure needs. In providing more jobs, our government would also invest in sustainable, healthy, and modern public buildings.