Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Buildings

In this episode of the Sustainable Futures Podcast, Steven Peck sits down with ecological engineer, author, and National Geographic Explorer Nadina Galle to discuss the future of greener, healthier cities. From the “Internet of Nature” to citizen science apps, biodiversity monitoring, and green roofs, Nadina explores how technology can strengthen our connection to the natural world. She unpacks wh...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with green roof designer, advocate, and industry pioneer Linda S. Velazquez, founder and publisher of Greenroofs.com . Linda reflects on first encountering green roofs in the late 1990s, the early days of the Green Roof Professional accreditation, and how the industry has evolved over the past 25 years. Drawing from her global project database and dec...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with the luminary planner and researcher Clare Cooper Marcus. Clare is a prominent educator in landscape architecture and architecture and a pioneer in the field of social issues in housing, open space design, and healing landscapes. She is an author and co-author of a number of books and research studies; a multi-award winner; and a tireless advocate...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with award-winning communicator and seasoned nonprofit executive Laura Mylan, the Chief Strategy Officer of the Children and Nature Network. Laura is a passionate advocate for enhancing children’s access to nature and natural spaces to live and play in across the United States. She draws upon her wealth of experience to facilitate connections and lead...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with researcher, educator, design consultant, and long-time green roof expert Dr. Karen Liu of Next Level Stormwater Management. Karen has worn many hats over the course of her illustrious career playing key roles in green roof research; technical standard development; and design projects across the globe. She has applied her extensive expertise on al...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with science communicator, policy advocate, and scientist Grace Wickerson of the Federation of American Scientists. Grace works to connect the dots between climate science and resilience and policy initiatives that directly impact human lives, health, and wellbeing. She is a champion of human and environmental health, and the ways in which they inters...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with farmer, rooftop agriculturalist, and integrated ecology advocate Benjamin Fahrer, owner of Top Leaf Farms. Benjamin is a sustainable food and farm management expert, directing his energy on regenerative farming approaches for long term sustainability, health, and food security. His ecological approach to farming and farm management aims to grow f...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with rooftop farmer and sustainable food systems advocate August Stubler, who oversees the operations of the Blackwood Educational Land Institute’s Skyfarm at POST Houston. August has a passion for connecting communities with sustainable, local food and uses the farm to further that passion by exploring what is possible on a 1 acre plot of rooftop in...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with pioneer and self-proclaimed soil nerd Molly Meyer, founder and CEO of Omni Ecosystems out of Chicago. Molly’s started Omni Ecosystems with the goal of democratizing nature, a vision of creating sustainable spaces and products that serve everyone and support broader ecosystems. With that goal, Molly and their team at Omni have worked tirelessly to...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with activist, developer, and President of the Daniels Corporation Mitchell Cohen, as he details his work in the redevelopment of the critically underserved and disadvantaged Toronto community of Regent Park. Mitchell shares his experiences working in community development in Montreal, and how that eventually led him to spearhead the $1.5 billion revi...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a Dr. Kathleen Wolf, researcher and social scientist specializing in the intersection of nature and human health and wellbeing. Dr. Wolf focused her research on the human dimensions of urban forestry and urban green space, in particular studying nearby nature experiences and human health response. She has numerous publications to her name, aimed...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a luminary of sustainable built environment systems, Gail Vittori. Gail is the Co-Director of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, and has lead the way in the field of sustainable health care and resilient building. Through her career she has led innovative resilience strategies and explored ways to enhance the built environment for...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with green roof pioneer Tom Liptan, one of the key figures in launching the green roof market in North America, to discuss the growths and changes in the green roof industry and where it could go from here. Tom’s journey with green roofs began out of his own interest, building a green roof by himself on his garage, and over time grew to influence his...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with climate science pioneer Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig to discuss the impacts and opportunities of climate change on our urban environments and how we can create more resilient communities. Dr. Rosenzweig’s work has been at the forefront of climate science and resilience planning for decades leading large-scale interdisciplinary research studies on the i...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with professor, researcher, and advocate Dr. Sabine O’Hara to discuss urban agriculture, food justice, and the fostering of a better relationship with the products that sustain us. Dr. O’Hara’s work has focused on enhancing food equity, promoting health and wellbeing through sustainable food systems, and enhancing urban sustainability with the ability...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with microbiologist and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Dr. Dickson Despommier to discuss his pioneering work and thought leadership on vertical farming. Beginning as a thought experiment for his students in 1999, Dr. Despommier quickly recognized the impact that vertical farming could have in revolutionizing our food systems and mitigating cli...

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with architect and visionary Ken Yeang to discuss the the practice of ecological design and how it can and must be used to enhance global resilience and combat climate change.

Sustainable Futures sits down with designer and consultant Bill Browning to discuss the science and practice of biophilic design and how it can influence and affect our interaction with the world around us.

Sustainable Futures sits down with ecologist, educator, and researcher Dr. Olyssa Starry to discuss how plants use what and what that means for our environment.

Sustainable Futures sits down with artist, designer, and thought leader Herbert Dreiseitl to discuss the critical role of water in natural ecosystems.

Sustainable Futures sits down with Assistant Professor Scott Macivor of the University of Toronto to discuss the critical role of insects in the natural world.

Sustainable Futures sits down with noted ecologist Dusty Gedge, president of the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations.

Sustainable Futures is joined by Nicole Austin, Black Student Engagement Coordinator, and Arlene Throness, Urban Farm Manager, to discuss their work with the urban rooftop farms at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Sustainable Futures is joined by Dr. Mike Dixon, PhD to discuss his futuristic work in developing a biological life support system based on plants for the International Space program.

Sustainable Futures is joined by green roof luminary Ed Snodgrass to discuss his pioneering work in sustainable farming practices, his leadership in the green roof industry, and his contributions to our understanding of native planting practices.