While cities cover only 2% of the world's surface, they accommodate 50% of the world's population and consume 75% of its resources. Paradoxically, however, in their compactness and density, cities present a substantial opportunity for alleviating the global warming crisis. Recognizing that in the United States, buildings account for 48% of the nation’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the American Institute of Architects has pledged to reduce new buildings to zero fossil fuel energy use by the year 2030, a position endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

New England has a challenging environment in which to build, with a wide range of geographic and climatic conditions and a high proportion of existing and underperforming building stock. As a coastal region substantially dependent on ‘out of state’ fossil fuel energy sources, Massachusetts has the incentive to accept the Mayors’ and AIA challenge to become more energy independent, and in particular to mitigate the anticipated rise in seawater levels on some of the most valuable and historic real estate in the country.

With vision and the right set of strategies, Boston has the material and intellectual resources to become an exemplary 21st century sustainable global city. The region’s universities, medical facilities and research and policy institutes, combined with leading practitioners in energy systems, transportation engineering, public health and policy-making, as well as leading architects and urban designers, are collectively capable of making a significant change in the way we use our natural resources.

While the nature of what constitutes a sustainable city is complex and demands an inter-disciplinary approach, architects, planners, engineers and the construction industry bear special responsibility for synthesizing and implementing appropriate strategies. The BSA, as the leading organization of design professionals in the region, and the School of Architecture and Planning at MIT, a major international center of research and education, will convene speakers from nearby and around the world who can bring knowledge, inspiration, innovation and research to the challenge of climate change in the city of Boston and its region.