Pandemic Death: A shortretort

Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 2:05PM

A few follow-up comments . . . 1. I admit it, maybe the "pandemic" blog is too far afield, or as some said, "too dramatic" or "too tabloid-esqe," for sustainable development professionals. My personal focus and that of the Institute is on sustainability in the 'as built' environment and I will try to focus more narrowly on this topic in the future and keep my intellectual wanderings in check. 2. For those who stated that a massive pandemic is just not probable, I would suggest that some very serious scientists and organizations such ICF International, the U.S. Federal Government and the World Health Organizationare now preparing for the next pandemic. Additionally, leading scientists such as Dr. Scott P. Layne of UCLA are saying that "our ability to anticipate pandemic events is poor, and our anti-pandemic armamentarium is weak." 3. For those who responded that our "public health system is surprisingly robust," I would add:a) Our preventative options are limited by viral genetic diversity and a rapid viral mutation rate. In the event of a pandemic, protective vaccines against a novel agent would not be available for at least several months.b) 98% of circulating influenza strains in North America have become resistant to our drugs. 4. To those "naysayers" of global warming, don't waste your time or energy to post for now - tell me what you have learned after taking a trip next summer to Baffin Island with Will Steger and then send me a note detailing your enlightenment. 5. A few suggested that it is counterproductive to add an element of pandemic "paranoia" into green building since buyers will see no relationship between insulating their house and stopping a pandemic. I completely agree, and I cannot imagine that any expert would bring up the topic with a green user/owner. But this blog is not for Joe or Jane buyer. This blog is for sustainability professionals and academics. And to be the most effective sustainability professional or academic you must know more and consider impacts beyond the building footprint. In all the differing definitions of the term 'sustainability' that I have read, there is the one common realization that everything we do affects everything else, and that nature is a complex system that is inseparable from society. It is this larger or expanded view of our role as sustainable development experts that was the intent of the orginal blog. As always . . . Consilience: The Blog welcomes leading professionals and academics to contribute to the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary community of sustainable development. Our specialties of interest are architecture, land-use planning, landscape architecture, appraisal, accounting, engineering, and law, with some input from those in CSR capacities. Contributions of most interest focus on thinking that brings us together, as in the Building Information Modeling process, Life Cycle Analysis, and the Integrated Design Process or Integrated Practice Delivery. Please send me an email personally to pursue your interest at