Green Cities
John Kerry and Denis Hayes Discuss Energy Future at Greening Embassies Forum
October 31, 2013
Tuesday’s Greening Embassies Forum at The U.S. Department of State proved we have both great potential and great challenges in creating a sustainable energy future. A collaboration between the D.C. Greening Embassies Forum, Earth Day Network and the U.S. Department of State, the event brought together high-powered, influential energy leaders from all sectors to discuss the issues, share insights and formulate solutions. The event focused on renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings, with a particular emphasis on greening our embassies and consulates around the world. As many speakers noted, our diplomatic facilities overseas say something about our country’s priorities. It’s essential that we put our best foot forward.
Opening remarks were made by EDN Board Chair Denis Hayes, father of the modern environmental movement and one of Time Magazine’s “Heroes of the Planet.” Hayes highlighted the potential of green buildings in his remarks and offered the Bullitt Center in Seattle—built by Denis Hayes to be one of the greenest buildings in the world—as an example. In addition to a large solar roof, this building acts like a living organism, responding to the environment around it to maximize energy efficiency. He discussed how today’s technologies can be used to build smarter, more environmentally integrated buildings and improve the efficiency of our current buildings.