AIA Tells Trump: 'We Will Not Retreat'

AIA Tells Trump: 'We Will Not Retreat'
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For Architectural Digest, by Hadley Keller.

Waring Abbott/Getty Images

President Trump may have chosen to ignore pleas for reason, science, and global diplomacy yesterday by announcing plans to pull out of the landmark Paris climate agreement, but America’s architectural community has a strong message for POTUS: They won’t retreat. In a statement issued on June 1, the American Institute of Architects has reaffirmed its commitment to the efforts outlined in the deal.

“The United States must remain a leader in the battle to cease harmful and needless practices that damage the planet and its climate, acting out of both environmental concerns and national economic interests,” wrote the AIA president, Thomas Vonier. “Instead of helping our economy, as the Administration contends, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will put us behind our major global competitors.”

Indeed, much research has shown that revoking American support of the deal will not, in fact, bring business back to America as President Trump insists. In fact, innovations in sustainable energy and eco-friendly building offer many job opportunities, making the AIA’s decision an apt affirmation of the importance of sustainable construction.

“The AIA will not retreat from its long-established efforts to conserve energy and to deploy renewable resources in buildings,” the statement continues. “We will continue to lead in efforts to curb the use of fuels and technologies that needlessly pollute our atmosphere and harm our environment. This makes good sense economically, and it is in the best interests of those we serve: our clients and the public. We will also urge our members throughout the United States and the world to assist cities, states, organizations and citizen groups in meeting the aims of the climate accord.”

In response, the International Union of Architects (UIA) released a letter in support of the AIA’s decision, echoing the pledge that many cities, states, and companies have made in the past day to defy Trump’s decision.

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