“Birds are in trouble,” declared Jeffrey Hall, executive director for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, when asked why he is so passionate about taking steps to convert all buildings to renewable, ‘clean’ energy at the Audubon. The mission of the Audubon is to protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats through conservation, education and advocacy, for the benefit of people and all other life — so it is no shock that this is his answer.  

So, what exactly is going on with birds? Hall explained that changes in climate have caused food shortages for birds because the timing of when insects hatch is changing. He also noted a decline in habitat for birds, giving the example of the saltmarsh sparrow losing its habitat — the salt marsh — due to changes in climate. 

“We should be leading this,” Hall admitted. “The organization that cares about birds the most should be leading the way to saving them,” he reiterated. Audubon will be one of the first non-profit organizations in the state to eliminate the use of fossil fuels, with bold plans to reach net-zero by 2030, completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels used by the organization. 

Work has already begun at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, with heat pumps currently being installed to replace the dated HVAC system. All Audubon facilities, trucks, trails and field equipment in the state are slated to be fully electric by 2030, and solar carports and ground mounts will be used to power the organization, reaching true zero — going completely off-grid — by 2040.  

Introducing the building decarbonization act

Hall said the Audubon is committed to “lead by example.” By educating the members and supporters of the Audubon on things like the decarbonization bill during what he calls “public listening sessions” and “advocacy trainings,” they can involve the public in taking initiatives to help support the overall mission to save birds. He cited simple changes people can make, like not using chemicals on your grass, learning how to create a habitat in your own backyard, and supporting the decarbonization bill, as some ways supporters can take initiative.

The decarbonization bill has yet to be passed. Rep. Rebecca Kislak — the sponsor in the house for the building decarbonization act said, “I hope it will pass this April.” She went on to explain that the bill models what is already being done in Providence, but makes it a statewide initiative — setting into motion the requirement of large buildings to start reporting energy usage and emissions, creating standards to reduce their emissions and phase in requirements that all new construction use only electricity for energy and heating.

Kislak said, “It is a modest step to pass the decarbonation act, but “We are moving in a direction, and we have to.” She cited that time, planning and funding are the biggest issues facing the changes needed for decarbonization.  

Although this bill is concerned with larger buildings, there is a conversation about housing happening as well. When asked about housing, Kislak said, “I find it hard to believe that if you build something today that it isn’t being built electric or at least electric ready.” In discussing older houses she noted, “It is expensive to have a house that already exists and flip it from gas to electricity,” highlighting some of the issues the state is facing.  

Brown University leads the way

Stephen Porder, the associate provost for sustainability at Brown University, echoed Kislak’s sentiments stating, “The state really has to ramp up.” He went on to talk about why and how the university is leading the way, stating, “We are a wealthy institute — the wealthy can’t be the ones that go last.” The university has already begun working on goals to hit net zero by 2040, by incorporating the use of heating pumps and ventilators in new and old buildings.

The top of Sternlicht Commons, a building that opened for business in 2021, looks like a scene from a movie set in the future. It has a clean look, is completely white, and many big machines line the rooftop. Dave Larson, the university’s senior energy engineer, elaborated on why it is white. It has to do with efficiency. He said it helps prevent a “heat island” that can be caused if the sun hits an all black surface, causing too much heat.”

Every new building or renovation made on the campus is well thought out with efficiency and  renewable ‘clean’ energy in mind. The addition of green roofs and sustainable building materials like timber ceilings also help keep a lower carbon footprint.

The goal for the campus is to be net zero by 2040. Porder prefaces this saying, “The future is brighter.” When speaking about the comfort of his own home and car that run on renewable energy, he said, everything is more “comfy.”

How to make the transition more affordable for everyone is the question he has on his mind, though he admitted, “The only way is to start trying.”

“Everything that you see in this building can be done in someone’s house,” Larson emphasized.

For those interested in following the leading efforts of the Audubon and Brown University, a representative from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources shared that there are incentives for homeowners interested in electrifying their homes.