Climate Change: Lisa M. Ferretto

“The Architecture 2030 Challenge was introduced 10 years ago creating an energy reduction path to Carbon Neutrality by 2030. In 2020, we’re 10 years in, and while there has been progress, we have much work to do. Architecture is responsible for about half of all of the global CO2 emissions. The Architecture profession though is still male dominated, with only about 20% women architects. When you consider the intersectionality of race and gender, that ratio is even lower - 0.4% African American women. Only 500 in the entire USA- wow!

WOW’s mission and its celebration of 'women and girls, takes a frank look at the obstacles we face… and hopes to join the dots between people, movements and ideas to change the world.' In Architecture, we also need to connect the dots - from race to place, people to planet, COVID to climate. We cannot solve one crisis to inform the other, but need to respond simultaneously with a road to recovery, prevention and resilience.”

Lisa has been committed to sustainability throughout her life, from her first “eco-city” designed at eight-years-old, to her time in Portland, Oregon, back to her hometown of Baltimore. She is a Principal, Architect, and the Sustainability Director at Hord Coplan Macht where she consults on many projects across all studios and promotes the integration of sustainability and well-being throughout the entire design process. Lisa describes herself as an “urban scientist” studying the interconnected systems of people with each other, nature, and cities. She is a member of the Baltimore Sustainability Commission and a former member of the MD Green Building Council advocating for environmental equity.