By Richard Ross, CEO of Quinn Residences Climate change is an enormous topic with implications so expansive that it can be difficult to understand how — or even if — we can make a positive impact. While companies and individuals can make essential changes on the margins, like advocating for public policies that promote better climate outcomes, there is one place where everyone can make a distinct difference: at home. The built environment is one of the most significant contributors to climate change, and our residences account for much of our carbon footprint. Changing how we build and what we buy or rent can alter this dynamic, and for new builds, this process starts on day one. Here are five ways in which developers, builders, buyers and renters can make that possible. Implement a Solar Program Rooftop solar panel adoption is soaring, setting installation records for six consecutive years. More than 700,000 homeowners installed solar panels in 2022, and over half of U.S. adults say they “want to power their home with solar panels in the future.” Meanwhile, the costs of installing and maintaining solar panels have never been lower, thanks to cheaper material costs, streamlined permitting processes and workforce …
