Julián Castro, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Buildings are the big kahuna when it comes to fighting climate change. Forty percent of carbon emissions in the United States comes from buildings and the electricity that goes into them. Energy and water-wise buildings are now trendy in many downtown office towers, driven mainly by market forces.

HUD Secretary Castro wants to take energy efficiency and new financing models to multifamily developments and federal housing communities. Secretary Castro will also talk about HUD’s efforts to help create greener communities and fight climate change.

Caulking windows and weatherizing doors isn’t sexy, but they are one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut power bills and clean up communities. Energy upgrades also create jobs that can’t be sent offshore.

Join a conversation about green buildings, climate change, resilience and more with a political rising star.