Flanigan's Eco-Logic

In this episode, Ted interviews Joel Cesare, a longstanding friend,colleague, and sustainability champion, who has just begun a new job at Cambio, a firm that has an AI platform designed for portfolios of real estate. Joel explains how Cambio's platform supports all manner of data-intensive property management functions, including building decarbonization.

Joel discusses his years at Google where he was on a team of sustainability managers. Their goal was to decarbonize all of Google's 40 million square feet of real estate by 2030. To do so, they studied hundreds of facilities in many countries... prioritizing projects based on numerous parameters. What Joel realized in that job was the power of AI in sifting through massive amounts of data and developing work plans to decarbonize and advance sustainable practices.

Ted and Joel dig into the fact that the data centers that power AI systems are very energy intensive. Ted queries, "Is the Cambio platform a sustainable solution given the energy intensity of AI?" Joel believes that, yes, this application of AI does provide a net societal benefit as retrofits and new construction activities are flagged that make economic sense... measures and carbon savings that would not have been realized absent the AI platform.

They also recount Joel's pioneering work for the City of Santa Monica, developing City Hall East, one of the world's most sustainable buildings. Joel acknowledges the key role played by Denis Hayes in promoting the project's unique design features at Santa Monica's City Council. Denis had recently completed the Bullitt Center's radically sustainable headquarters in Seattle, and had encouraged others to follow suit, pushing the envelope of sustainable buildings.

Joel highlights a few of City Hall East's greatest challenges: First and foremost was rooftop rainwater collection for potable water. This involved certifying rooftop surfaces -- including solar panels -- for water that is now used for showering and drinking. Another challenge was the inclusion of composting toilets there... the first ever in a public building of its kind.