Episode CO2: The Empire Strikes Back

We need all the highly visible symbols of sustainable change we can get these days, and we also need to transform the existing built environment which is responsible for such a massive amount of inefficient energy use.

So good to see The Empire State Building, an icon of 20th century architecture if every there was one, planning to Plug Out a but more and cut energy use by nearly 40% by adding insulation to 6.5k windows and behind radiators as well as upgrading the aircon.

While this change won't be visible from the outside - although lights will turn the skyscraper green for things like St. Patrick's Day and Christmas - it will save over 100k tonnes of CO2 a year and sends a strong signal about the importance of investing in improving existing building stock even in times of recession.

Perhaps Alain Robert could be persuaded to climb up in a gorilla suit to mark the ocassion.

[Seen on The Guardian]

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