Every fraction matters: confronting the climate crisis before it’s too late

The world is on a knife’s edge. 2.7°F (1.5°C) isn’t just a climate target—it’s the line between serious disruption and outright crisis. The difference between 2.7°F and 3.6°F of global warming might not sound like much, but the effects are exponential:

• 70% vs. 99% of coral reefs gone – a near-total collapse of marine ecosystems
• Pollinators face twice the risk of habitat loss – threatening food production worldwide
• The Arctic could be ice-free every decade instead of once a century – accelerating global warming
• Sea levels could rise an additional 3 feet – putting coastal cities and infrastructure in jeopardy
• As many as 16 million people could be displaced – turning climate migration into a humanitarian crisis

These aren't abstract projections—they're happening now. And the clock is ticking.

This isn’t normal climate change

Yes, Earth’s climate has always shifted over time, with ice ages and warm periods driven by natural cycles. But what’s happening now is different. The rate of warming since the mid-20th century is unprecedented in thousands of years.

• Atmospheric CO₂ levels have skyrocketed from about 280 parts per million (ppm) before the Industrial Revolution to over 420 ppm today—a level not seen in at least 800,000 years
• Human activity is trapping more heat in the atmosphere, oceans, and ice sheets, causing widespread and accelerating change
• The past nine years have been the hottest on record, with 2023 now the hottest year ever recorded globally

The science is undeniable. And so is the urgency. But within this crisis lies an opportunity to act—fast and effectively.

Data source: NASA, NOAA, Copernicus Climate Change Service

The built environment: a massive lever for change

One of the biggest (and most underutilized) opportunities for reducing emissions lies where we live and work: our buildings.

The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions, including both the energy used to operate buildings and the embodied carbon from construction materials and processes (International Energy Agency). Efficiency in the building sector isn’t just good for the planet—it’s also smart business.

In the United States:

• Commercial buildings spend an average of 10–15% of operating costs on energy
• Energy-efficient buildings consistently report lower vacancy rates, higher net operating income, and stronger asset valuations
• Upgrades like smart metering, fault detection, and all-electric HVAC systems can slash both emissions and maintenance costs

In Australia, where the government is leading by example, new federal leasing standards will soon require a minimum NABERS Energy rating of 5.5 stars for office buildings leased to federal government tenants. Properties that fall short are already facing pressure to retrofit or risk losing tenants and long-term value.

Efficiency is climate action

Reducing emissions doesn’t always require breakthrough tech or massive investment. In many cases, the cleanest energy is the energy we don’t waste.

Whether it’s retrofitting a commercial office, digitizing building operations, or simply sealing energy leaks, small upgrades add up fast—especially across a national or global portfolio.

• For policymakers: Strengthen efficiency codes and lead by example in public buildings.
• For owners and operators: Start benchmarking, monitoring, retrofitting, and rethinking how your buildings consume energy.
• For businesses: Recognize that energy efficiency isn’t a trade-off—it’s a growth strategy that aligns environmental impact with bottom-line returns.

We still have time—but not much

The climate crisis is not a distant threat. It’s here. But so is the solution. Every fraction of a degree matters. And every decision can help pull us back from the edge. The time to act is now.