Solutions to our climate change crisis are directly linked to those we are facing in the economic arena

In tough economic times, the right competitive edge can make the difference-for individuals, businesses, cities, and nations. We have a global financial crisis, but we also have a climate change crisis. The causes of these problems are connected-so are their solutions. A business as usual approach to constructing and selling buildings has resulted in some radical financial short falls. It has also created buildings that are resource-inefficient. Not the best model. We all know that most buildings can be more efficient in terms of energy use. But that isn't the whole story when it comes to the lifetime of a building-especially in an urban context. New LEED-certified projects are attractive for many reasons, but the environmental impacts of destroying an existing structure are often underestimated. The debris is trucked through poor neighborhoods where air quality is a leading vector for environmentally borne diseases like asthma. Asthma is associated with poor school performance; and in New York City, if you are poor and do poorly in school, you'll have a much better chance of going to jail. Our world-leading incarceration rates are nothing to be proud of, but they also cost a lot of money. The ripple effects of a person in jail is spread throughout a family, a community, and the city-and potential market sectors. We are already paying the costs of social inefficiency, and will continue to do so in the coming decades. Climate change is a long-term issue, but also a shorter-term adaptation challenge. We can adapt our built environment for the consequences of climate change over the next two decades, and can also solve some of the social problems mentioned above with the same tools. Climate change is already trending towards increased rain intensity with longer dry spells in between, and greater Urban Heat Island Effect during peak load months as a result of greater temperatures and more pavement and astroturf. A range of tactics can mitigate climate change over the next century, but what are we doing to adapt to the changes we know we will be facing before then? One glimmer of hope came in 2008 with the passage of two laws in New York City that will affect long-term storm water management directly, and a couple other issues as well. First, NYC Local Law 5 which mandates that green solutions for storm water run off-like urban forestation and green roofs-be considered and analyzed on a cost-benefit basis that includes green job creation. The same year, a $4.50/s/f property tax abatement for green roofs passed. The great thing about these progressive environmental laws is that they can make properties easier to sell by increasing the short and long-term value of the structure or development. Green is in demand these days, and green features can be the difference between a building that sells and one that doesn't. For instance, green roofs decrease air conditioning costs while dramatically increasing the life span of the roof. Trees and other vegetative surfaces around a building also keep it cooler when it's hot, keep basements from flooding, and create more appealing spaces. Renters and buyers want to feel good about contributing to environmental solutions. The real estate industry has a great deal of power over how deals are directed. The green solutions that benefit city infrastructure also benefit the creation of robust markets. We need it on a mass scale, and it starts with people are not willing to settle for "business-as-usual." I hope to hear about more green economic development going on in the Bronx, and places like it everywhere. In 2008, I left the non-profit environmental justice solutions corporation I had founded in 2001, to open a consulting business. We work with various stakeholders on projects across the U.S. It's hard work, but I love it. I still keep our main office in the South Bronx, still love my borough, and I hope we'll be working with many of you to make the Bronx famous one more time. Majora Carter is the founder of The Majora Carter Group, LLC, Bronx, N.Y.