Earth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series – Matthys Levy, Engineer and Author Matthys Levy - founding Principal of Weidlinger Associates, Consulting Engineers and author of Why the Wind Blows, a History of Weather and Global Warming Matthys P. Levy is a founding Principal and Chairman Emeritus of Weidlinger Associates, Consulting Engineers. Born in Switzerland and a graduate of the City College of New York, Mr. Levy received his MS and CE degrees from Columbia University. He has been an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a Distinguished Professor at Pratt Institute and a lecturer at universities throughout the world. He has published numerous papers in the field of structures, computer analysis, aesthetics and building systems design, has illustrated two books and is the co-author of the best selling book, Why Buildings Fall Down as well as,  Structural Design in Architecture, Why the Earth Quakes, Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Tsunamis, Earthquake Games and Engineering the City.  His recent book, Why the Wind Blows, a History of Weather and Global Warming, was published in 2007. Levy is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of the International Association of Shell & Spatial Structures, the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineers and other professional societies. Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you personally made in your lifestyle to be more green?  Changes in home, travel, work, with your kids and community? Matthys Levy: Every day, I am more aware of the need to conserve, recycle and generally tread lightly on the earth.  I remind myself and those around me that it is critical for the future to remain aware and more than anything, act to be green. EP: Were you “green” growing up? ML: Since I grew up in the depression and WW II, conservation was part of my life…Every day, and in every way, we were taught to reuse (i.e. don’t throw away the aluminum foil but clean it and reuse it.) and to be aware how precious every commodity was and how they should not be wasted. A good indication of this was that the amount of garbage that was thrown away was a small percentage of what we now dispose of.  Packaging was single wrap…bags were reused, water was conserved ( showers instead of baths).  During the war, commodities were in short supply so you did not have to think about wasting and this attitude carried over (for me) well after the war. EP: What was your first, ah ha! Green moment? ML: When I wrote, Why the Wind Blows and studied the whole issue of global warming, I woke up to the fact that if we do not do something now to change the way we treat the planet, we, or more precisely, our children and grandchildren are doomed. EP: You wrote a book called Why the Wind Blows: A History of Weather and Global Warming.  Tell me about your inspiration for writing it and what are some of the key elements within? ML: The book started as a book on weather in the same vein as my previous book on earthquakes, that is, a book for the layman explaining the science through stories and historical references (something any kid could understand).  As I got further into it, it became clear that the punch line would become the effect of global warming on the world’s future weather.  As a result, I did a great deal of research and became convinced that we were in trouble.  Never mind green, we were heading toward brown.  What I mean by that is the trend toward desertification of America’s west and the northward movement of higher temperatures so that Vermont will be the new Carolinas…  EP: Tell me about any other steps you have taken in your professional life to help the climate crisis?  ML: I have developed an illustrated lecture somewhat similar to Gore’s that I have given in a number of venues.  The title of the lecture is “The Decline of Spaceship Earth”.  The name derives from Buckminster Fuller’s treatment of our planet being merely a spaceship travelling in the universe.  I show that not only are we killing the planet by enveloping it in a toxic greenhouse gas blanket but our population is increasing at a rate that we can no longer sustain.  The Malthusian idea that we cannot feed a growing population is being taken over by the fact that we are choking the planet to death. EP: How much of an environmental crisis are we really in? What are the consequences of non-action or limited change? ML: The problem is becoming more serious with every day of inaction.  Some of the earlier predictions have proven to be too conservative and consequences of global warming are actually worse than thought only a year or two ago. (every day the news reports new predictions, i.e. the rise of sea levels before 2100)  What has already been set cannot be reversed and all we can now do is to halt further decline.  The reason is that the current level of CO2 in the atmosphere will be there for a long time and will only slowly dissipate.  We need to stop sending more global warming gases into the atmosphere (CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorocarbons). EP: One of President Obama’s environmental goals is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.  Another is to ensure that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.  Do you think these goals are achievable?  What are some of the road blocks from that happening? ML: Technically, these goals are achievable and only the lack of financing and the will to act  can stand in the way.  Since this country contributes 25% of the offending greenhouse gases, the Obama goals are absolutely needed.  But, we cannot act alone because the other 75% has to be tackled at the same time and with the same goals.  Especially today, when economic conditions are dire, there may be the tendency to push environmental goals aside or put them off to another day.  This would be tragic as the consequences of global warming will not be set aside or postponed but will continue along a path that we have set out in earlier decades. EP: Do you feel that the United States needs stronger laws to protect the environment?  If so, in what areas? ML: I’m not sure that laws need to be strengthened.  Enforcement of existing laws is much more important and will require greater expenditures to properly staff the agencies. EP: What is the most vital message that we need to get across to people, companies and organizations as well as politicians.  What do they need to hear that will make them take action? ML: The problem with initiatives to alleviate global warming and to promote green concepts is that there is no immediate reward.  The benefits are only achieved in a matter of years and even decades.  In a world that is raised on the concept of instant gratification, that is a hard sell!  Only after more devastating hurricanes, floods and drought will people wake up to the fact that they must take action. EP: In what ways will green awareness and green initiatives help us, both as a country as well as individually, during these tough economic times?  Can environmental awareness lead us out of this economic crisis? ML: The stimulus plans that have been drawn up provide money for green initiatives, whether for alternate energy or for conservation measure or for upgrading of existing structures.  All serve to help push us out of the economic morass and increase employment. EP: What is the one Earth Promise you are going to make in the future that you have not done yet? This can apply to your personal life or professional life. ML: I am not an earth scientist but more of a reporter.  As such it is my task to pass along scientific information to the general public in a form that is both understandable and forceful.  What I started with my book and lectures on global warming, I plan to expand to make people aware of the next crisis which is the lack of potable water.  Currently a billion (with a B) people do not have access to fresh water.  Also, water is in short supply where some people want to live, as for instance in the SW United States.  This area was a desert in the past and is quickly returning to a state of desertification.  Something must be done to address both of these issues and I believe that I can contribute!  EP: Thank you very much. Tags: 21 in 21, author, carbon footprint, change, changes, climate change, conservation, earth, earth day, earth promise, earthpromise, eco-friendly, energy, energy efficient, engineer, environment, environmental, global warming, green, green changes, green interviews, green living, green practice, green practices, green tips, matthys levy

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