In 1997, a group of energy efficiency industry leaders got together out of frustration with the lack of meaningful progress on energy codes. They envisioned a new organization dedicated to advancing codes, conducting research, and developing guidance to drive energy efficiency in the commercial building sector. This founding group included energy-efficiency luminaries Doug Mahone, David Goldstein, Jeff Harris, Michael McAteer, Steve Nadel, Doug Baston, and Peter Schwartz.
A few weeks ago, we received the sad news that Dr. David B. Goldstein, emeritus board member and co-founder of New Buildings Institute (NBI), passed away on October 18th at his home in San Francisco after a valiant struggle with cancer. David was instrumental in shaping the vision and purpose that continues to guide NBI’s work. He served on NBI’s board of directors since its founding, including 11 years as board president. Many in our field considered David a mentor, friend, and thought leader. We cannot fully express the depth of our loss.
Spearheading Industry Changes
David was an unwavering advocate for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. He was innovative and effective. He thought about issues in new ways and leading the charge for creating tools, methodologies, and policies that changed the industry.
He was mentored by Art Rosenfeld, the ‘godfather’ of energy efficiency, as a PhD student in physics in the 1970s and continued building upon Rosenfeld’s legacy for the rest of his career. David went on to provide brilliant leadership in making energy efficiency an integral part of coping with climate change.
David’s impact and influence can be traced through policies, organizations, and people across the world. In addition to co-founding the New Buildings Institute, David had a 43-year career with the Natural Resources Defense Council, building their energy program from the ground up. He was also a founding director of the Institute for Market Transformation and co-founder for the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. David was awarded a 2002 MacArthur Foundation fellowship for his work bridging scientific analysis with advocacy for energy-efficiency policies and economic incentives. David received a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California at Berkeley, became a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and was awarded the 1998 Leo Szilard Award for Physics in the Public Interest. He also authored two books Saving Energy Growing Jobs and Invisible Energy.
David had an innate talent for explaining complex concepts to non-technical audiences. That, combined with his background in science and knowledge of the building industry, allowed him to connect with a wide range of stakeholders and successfully advocate for policy changes.
Impact on New Buildings Institute
As NBI’s board president, David was a driving force and steady hand for NBI’s development and evolution. He helped build unity around a shared purpose and vision for the organization, including broadening the focus of NBI to tackle carbon emissions from buildings in addition to energy efficiency. Under his guidance, NBI grew into an influential and respected presence in the industry.
One of NBI’s first initiatives, “Getting to 50” focused on a 50% reduction in energy consumption for commercial buildings. NBI researched deep-building energy efficiency and developed design guidelines for industry professionals. Watch a short interview with David sharing his memories of this initiative.
Ten years ago, David wrote this tribute to our first executive director, Jeff Johnson. It goes without saying that Jeff’s work would not have been possible without David’s wise intervention and transformational leadership.
Invaluable Wisdom, Inspiration, and Mentorship
David left an indisputable mark on energy efficiency and the built environment in the United States and abroad. He was deeply committed to this work and the people he worked with until the end. He was a wise, supportive mentor to many of us at NBI and approached everyone with kindness and a curiosity to understand their viewpoints.
David brought intellectual firepower to every project. He was strategic and methodical, with a vision for long-term change. David was tireless in his pursuit of advanced building codes and appliance standards. He knew that code changes would always be a hard fight and he played to win, but he did so with thoughtfulness and a deep integrity. He passed this approach on to everyone he worked with and mentored at NBI.
On a personal level, David was an avid traveler and excellent photographer, especially of his grandchildren and places he had traveled. He was always willing to share the joy that this brought to him.
David’s family urges his colleagues to continue his legacy by continuing to do innovative and creative work, listening with intention, loving fully, and developing further ways to reduce carbon emissions and repair the world.
Thank you, David, for your leadership and your friendship.
Co-authored by Susan Stratton, Interim CEO, New Buildings Institute
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Co-authored by Peter Turnbull, President of the Board of Directors, New Buildings Institute
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