ABSTRACT
Climate change, widely recognized as disrupting the natural environment, also presents very real threats to public health. Built infrastructure must weather the environmental changes that climate change is fueling. Wise design and upgrading multi-family affordable housing to be more energy efficient can limit greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. Assuring that the materials used on upgrades and retrofits are chosen for low toxicity and high safety can help protect public health and strengthen health equity in especially vulnerable communities. Adapting buildings to be more resilient to the effects of climate change includes planning for more frequent heat waves and associated greater demand for cooling, for more frequent extreme rains and flooding events that can damage homes and businesses and compromise indoor air quality and health. The building sector is central to improved health and equity, and advancing climate resilience with long-term, multidisciplinary planning can ensure we support those outcomes. A holistic approach that links climate resilience and the building sector can lead to a more resilient social safety net that reinforces equity and improved health outcomes. For example, promoting investment in more affordable housing, and in particular ensuring that affordable housing is built quickly post-major storm events. While society contends with uncertainties around what future weather extremes different localities can anticipate, the building sector’s role will be critical to provide infrastructure that is responsive to community needs. Building planners and communities need to collaborate on practical, resilient responses to climate change that are just and healthy for all.
