Rice University’s David Abraham received the United Nations Association of Houston’s Global Citizen Award at a recent ceremony honoring dedication to sustainable development. The award, presented at the Junior League of Houston Oct. 25, recognized Abraham’s contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, a global call to action to advance economic resilience, environmental stewardship and social justice.
A lecturer and research scientist in environmental analysis and sustainability with the professional science master’s program at Rice, Abraham was honored for his work in fostering sustainable urban development and climate resilience, helping cities adapt to economic shifts and natural disasters, particularly Houston. His efforts include launching Houston’s first community resilience and sustainability performance portal and directing Harris County’s first flood resilience plan at the community level for the Meyerland area after Hurricane Harvey — a project that required extensive community engagement and partnerships across universities. Abraham also contributes to Houston’s municipal planning as a member of the city of Houston planning and airport commissions and is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum.
“My academic and professional career has been deeply rooted in a commitment to building sustainable, resilient communities and advancing environmental planning practices that address current challenges and anticipate future needs,” Abraham said.
Abraham’s commitment to sustainability planning includes active national engagement with organizations such as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine advisory panels and the Urban Land Institute honorary urban task forces. He also has edited “Promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in North American Cities,” which outlines best practices and perspectives on building sustainable communities.
Beyond his work on sustainability planning, Abraham’s research addresses critical issues such as transportation resilience, environmental health impacts on communities, and social and governance reporting strategies.
The nonprofit UN Association of Houston aims to build public understanding and support for the UN’s objectives, focusing on educating and mobilizing citizens to engage with global issues and foster intercultural understanding.