AIA Statement on SCOTUS Decision in West Virginia v. EPA

Dan Hart, FAIA, 2022 AIA President  

Lakisha Woods, CEO

The climate crisis is a crisis of global dimensions, there are no sidelines. AIA believes that the West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a setback in the climate crisis fight. AIA also believes that the decision should strengthen our resolve to partner with and support elected leaders that share our sense of urgency to address the climate crisis.

AIA urges Congress to give EPA the tools needed to allow the agency, and all of the federal government, to meaningfully and holistically reduce and eventually eliminate greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. The architects’ oath to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public requires nothing less.

But our oath and our expertise are far less effective if we act in isolation. That’s why we have a responsibility to exercise our voice and to urge our elected officials to address the climate crisis with urgency, probity, and haste.

AIA will continue to promote and harness the passion and expertise of our almost 95,000 members to guide elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels to create policies that lead to positive change.

AIA remains committed to using our voice and the collective agency of our members to urge elected officials and supporting candidates to address the existential threat that is climate change.

Please contact your elected official ask them to advance efforts that reduce, mitigate, and eventually reverse the impacts of the climate crisis.