Climate Resilience

A soundly built environment is key and so are strong communities.

At USGBC-LA we recognize that our buildings and communities are vulnerable to a wide range of short- and long-term risks, especially from climate change. We are taking a leadership role to share national best practices and provide guidance for communities to achieve greater climate resilience at the local level. Keep reading to learn more about our climate resilience work across California.

This report by ULI provides a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) that focuses on delivering resilience through real estate development and associated activities, with a particular emphasis on the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory (BHAC) in Los Angeles. The aim is to develop community-led resilience hubs and networks, ensuring climate resilience is accessible to all residents. The report acknowledges the urgent need for increased community support and safety due to climate change-induced stressors and shocks like extreme heat and flooding. It also highlights the importance of addressing historic injustices in communities facing environmental burdens such as air pollution and contamination. The proposed resilience hubs and resources will empower residents to organize and respond to localized climate change issues, enhancing their ability to not only survive and recover from disasters but also thrive in the face of challenges.

We acknowledge that many underserved communities are the first to experience the impacts of climate change, while simultaneously having limited resources to address it. The U.S. Green Building Council-LA has joined forces with the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory (BHAC), in collaboration with Climate Resolve, the City of Los Angeles, and The American Red Cross, to establish an impressive new resilience center within the Conservatory. Upon completion, this facility will be powered by solar energy and equipped with battery storage, boasting a top-tier HVAC system featuring HEPA filters, as well as backup water provisions. These measures ensure the center’s ability to operate and provide essential services to the community under any circumstances, including natural disasters. USGBC-LA and its partners have secured grants and donations to offer emergency drinking water, install a rooftop solar system for backup power, deliver first aid and CPR training, and implement air quality monitoring. To learn more and access real-time indoor air quality data, please visit the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory Indoor Air Quality Monitoring website.

A smog-eating mural

With the support from The Energy Foundation, local artists at the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory and U.S. Green Building Council-L.A. have developed a mural envisioning a clean energy future for the Boyle Heights community!

This smog-eating mural focuses on themes around climate change, environmental justice, and equitable transition to a more sustainable future designed and developed by Boyle Heights community residents!

In developing this mural, artists learned how to use and apply environmentally friendly, non-toxic paint that actively purifies the air by capturing harmful pollutants around the mural. A vision for a healthier, more resilient East LA that is doing a small part in actually making it happen today!

This initiative includes a broad coalition of leading experts from across the resilience spectrum, including academics, scientists, building owners, local government, architects and engineers, emergency managers, and community advocates.